Abstract
Veterinarians perform surgery for a number of reasons, from treating a problem to preventing future problems. There is an inextricable link between the physical and psychological aspects of an animal's health, and surgery is often a conduit to bridge that gap. Some surgical procedures can affect an animal's behavior, such as castration, and some pose an ethical dilemma, such as ear cropping and declawing. Ameliorating pain, decreasing stressful experiences for the animal, and identifying and treating concurrent problem behaviors are hallmarks of improving animal welfare. The purpose of this article is to outline some of these interrelationships and ethical dilemmas, providing evidence-based verification as applicable.
Highlights
Problem behaviors are often cited as reasons for relinquishment and euthanasia of companion animals [1, 2]
Surgery is a principal aspect of veterinary medicine, whether performed to treat a medical condition, to lower the incidence of disease, or for population control, and it is important to understand the impact that surgery has on the welfare and behavior of an animal
Veterinary medicine is more than the sum of its parts
Summary
Problem behaviors are often cited as reasons for relinquishment and euthanasia of companion animals [1, 2]. While benefits of castration for cats are more conclusive, aside from population control, there is no definitive single recommendation for whether or not to neuter dogs, or at what age, and owners should make an educated decision after discussion with their veterinarian This procedure, amputating the distal portion of the tail, is “traditional” for certain breeds, such as hunting breeds and terriers. While there are limited studies in dogs, there is evidence of behavioral and physiological responses to pain in production animals undergoing tail docking procedures [94]. The decision to devocalize or not turns into a welfare issue, and an ethical dilemma, with devocalization balanced against potential relinquishment or euthanasia
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