I think most people realize that "neuter" applies to both animals. At least, I hope so. The problem is that, when speaking of neutering pets, "castrate" is an incorrect term because it typically implies the removal of the testicles, something that does not happen when one neuters a male animal. Most people associate castration with gelding or complete removal of the testicles, so it's not an appropriate word to use. Since "spay" can only be used for female animals, people began saying "spay or neuter" to cover both sexes. True, though - they could have just said, "Neuter." And some do!
How odd! I've never heard of totally removing the testicles of a dog. Every dog I've ever had neutered had its "balls," so to speak, they had merely been drained of testosterone and the gland had been removed.
Usually, neutering a male dog is a much smaller, faster procedure than neutering a female one. This suggests that the testicles aren't actually removed. As for farm animals, though, I believe the testicles are removed.
But most guys aren't going to want to talk about castrating their pets. The more gender-neutral term is a way of not having to think about the realities.
My cat ages ago that got fixed basically had a vastectomy and his gland removed. He still had his testicals and still could of got laid if he wanted. He'd just be shooting blanks.
Well I actually asked about castration as I thought that was what they do. But I guess the vets where I am have adopted some policy on duing tube coterizations/ties and vastectomies. They did say the cats still get urges and can do it. They just don't have babies. I think when my current cat got out she got into it with a male. No idea if my male cats got it on though. *shrug* But lets just say I washed Angel right after she came in from being out last time she snuck out... :P
I remember reading a Garfield story that was a take off on Sam Spaid (sp?), and the sexy damsel in distress asked, "Are you Spayed?" Which is a silly joke, since no, he wouldn't be, he would be CASTRATED! Or neutered. I understood that even when I was 9 or 10.
That doesn't bother me as much as when someone says "spaded" for neutering a female or uses "spayed" as present-or-future tense. The operation is horrific enough for the poor critter without references to garden shovels. :-p
*points to my silly horse* Gelding = castrated, also called "gelded" in most large farm animals...and most also have specific terms for a castrated male. A lot of times, also, a large female animal isn't neutered unless there's a significant reason to, since usually the removal of a hormonal male and the security we would hope to have in fencing is adequate enough to forego a much more complicated procedure than in a small animal.
But yes, I do also firmly believe it's in everyone's best interest that an animal, if NOT good breeding quality, be neutered if it lessens the reproductive risk and tendency toward difficult behavior. Heck, if it were so simple in humans (what with our crazy over-active hormonal systems and baby-rabies society and other issues) I'd have opted for a spaying for myself. :-p
I think most people realize that "neuter" applies to both animals. At least, I hope so. The problem is that, when speaking of neutering pets, "castrate" is an incorrect term because it typically implies the removal of the testicles, something that does not happen when one neuters a male animal. Most people associate castration with gelding or complete removal of the testicles, so it's not an appropriate word to use. Since "spay" can only be used for female animals, people began saying "spay or neuter" to cover both sexes. True, though - they could have just said, "Neuter." And some do!
How odd! I've never heard of totally removing the testicles of a dog. Every dog I've ever had neutered had its "balls," so to speak, they had merely been drained of testosterone and the gland had been removed.
Usually, neutering a male dog is a much smaller, faster procedure than neutering a female one. This suggests that the testicles aren't actually removed. As for farm animals, though, I believe the testicles are removed.
But most guys aren't going to want to talk about castrating their pets. The more gender-neutral term is a way of not having to think about the realities.
My cat ages ago that got fixed basically had a vastectomy and his gland removed. He still had his testicals and still could of got laid if he wanted. He'd just be shooting blanks.
Well I actually asked about castration as I thought that was what they do. But I guess the vets where I am have adopted some policy on duing tube coterizations/ties and vastectomies. They did say the cats still get urges and can do it. They just don't have babies. I think when my current cat got out she got into it with a male. No idea if my male cats got it on though. *shrug* But lets just say I washed Angel right after she came in from being out last time she snuck out... :P
I remember reading a Garfield story that was a take off on Sam Spaid (sp?), and the sexy damsel in distress asked, "Are you Spayed?" Which is a silly joke, since no, he wouldn't be, he would be CASTRATED! Or neutered. I understood that even when I was 9 or 10.
That doesn't bother me as much as when someone says "spaded" for neutering a female or uses "spayed" as present-or-future tense. The operation is horrific enough for the poor critter without references to garden shovels. :-p
*points to my silly horse* Gelding = castrated, also called "gelded" in most large farm animals...and most also have specific terms for a castrated male. A lot of times, also, a large female animal isn't neutered unless there's a significant reason to, since usually the removal of a hormonal male and the security we would hope to have in fencing is adequate enough to forego a much more complicated procedure than in a small animal.
But yes, I do also firmly believe it's in everyone's best interest that an animal, if NOT good breeding quality, be neutered if it lessens the reproductive risk and tendency toward difficult behavior. Heck, if it were so simple in humans (what with our crazy over-active hormonal systems and baby-rabies society and other issues) I'd have opted for a spaying for myself. :-p
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Usually, neutering a male dog is a much smaller, faster procedure than neutering a female one. This suggests that the testicles aren't actually removed. As for farm animals, though, I believe the testicles are removed.
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Yes, this has been a point of contention more than once.
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"Gender complement" perhaps? Dunno.
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*points to my silly horse* Gelding = castrated, also called "gelded" in most large farm animals...and most also have specific terms for a castrated male. A lot of times, also, a large female animal isn't neutered unless there's a significant reason to, since usually the removal of a hormonal male and the security we would hope to have in fencing is adequate enough to forego a much more complicated procedure than in a small animal.
But yes, I do also firmly believe it's in everyone's best interest that an animal, if NOT good breeding quality, be neutered if it lessens the reproductive risk and tendency toward difficult behavior. Heck, if it were so simple in humans (what with our crazy over-active hormonal systems and baby-rabies society and other issues) I'd have opted for a spaying for myself. :-p
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So, you're saying that "neuter" is neuter?
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Usually, neutering a male dog is a much smaller, faster procedure than neutering a female one. This suggests that the testicles aren't actually removed. As for farm animals, though, I believe the testicles are removed.
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Yes, this has been a point of contention more than once.
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"Gender complement" perhaps? Dunno.
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*points to my silly horse* Gelding = castrated, also called "gelded" in most large farm animals...and most also have specific terms for a castrated male. A lot of times, also, a large female animal isn't neutered unless there's a significant reason to, since usually the removal of a hormonal male and the security we would hope to have in fencing is adequate enough to forego a much more complicated procedure than in a small animal.
But yes, I do also firmly believe it's in everyone's best interest that an animal, if NOT good breeding quality, be neutered if it lessens the reproductive risk and tendency toward difficult behavior. Heck, if it were so simple in humans (what with our crazy over-active hormonal systems and baby-rabies society and other issues) I'd have opted for a spaying for myself. :-p
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So, you're saying that "neuter" is neuter?
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