Purdue News
Purdue News
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August 3, 2001 State fair surgical demonstrations highlight spay, neuter benefitsWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University veterinarians hope to make dog and cat owners more comfortable with the decision to spay or neuter their pets by showing them how the procedures are done during public presentations at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis.
Purdue's School of Veterinary Medicine is partnering with the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association and the Humane Society of Indianapolis to perform both surgeries Aug. 8-17 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. "There are a lot of misconceptions among pet owners about spaying or neutering their animals," says Barbara Petty, coordinator for Purdue's participation in the surgeries. "Some think there's no need for it since they don't anticipate their pet ever breeding anyway, while others feel it's an unnecessary risk to the animal for only minor benefits, but the facts show otherwise." Animal control authorities estimate that each year as many as 15 million unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized nationally. There also are a number of health benefits associated with spaying and neutering in addition to preventing unwanted offspring, says Dr. Kathleen Salisbury, a professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Purdue. "For females, spaying eliminates heat cycles and the spotting that accompanies them; neutered males show reduced aggression, anxiety and tendency to roam," she says. "And, the risk of certain cancers, including breast and many reproductive system cancers, can be greatly reduced or eliminated in animals which have been surgically sterilized." The surgical demonstrations, which will take place in the Pioneer Hi-Bred Our Land Pavilion on the Indiana State Fairgrounds, should also help to allay owner anxiety over the discomfort and recovery time for their pets. Advances in surgical techniques and anesthetic options in most cases make it possible for pets to go home the same day. The animals that will be used in the procedures have all been recently adopted from the Humane Society of Indianapolis and are in good physical condition. Each surgical team will be made up of one Purdue faculty member or veterinary surgical resident, one senior student and one veterinary technician. The team will work inside a glass-enclosed operating theater within the pavilion. A closed-circuit television feed from a camera suspended above the operating table will provide spectators with a birds-eye view of the operation. Practicing veterinarians from the Indianapolis area will narrate the procedures and answer audience questions. In addition to educating the public on the importance of spaying and neutering their pets, the participants also hope to spark interest in the field of veterinary medicine as a career, and Purdue University as a place to train for it. "Our participation enables us to showcase our expert faculty and staff and highlight the ways in which the Purdue Veterinary School improves the lives of both animals and people through veterinary education, animal health-care delivery, and studies of animal disease and animal well-being," says Alan Rebar, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. "We greatly appreciate the cooperation of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association and the Humane Society of Indianapolis in putting on the surgeries." The first procedure will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday (8/8). Operations are then scheduled at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. every day through Friday, Aug. 17. A castration takes approximately 30 minutes while a spay takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Sources: Barbara Petty, (765) 494-7234, bap@vet.vet.purdue.edu Dr. Kathleen Salisbury, (765) 494-1107, salisbus@purdue.edu Additional source: Alan Rebar, (765) 494-7607, rebara@vet.purdue.edu Writer: Sharon A. Bowker, (765) 494-9723, sbowker@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu PHOTO CAPTION:
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