A Survey of Veterinarian Attitudes Toward Prepubertal Desexing of Dogs and Cats in the Australian Capital Territory
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey (graded by design analogy for professional practice/attitudes)
OpenAlex W2965547797 · doi:10.3389/fvets.2019.00272
What was done
An online cross-sectional survey hosted on REDCap was distributed via the Veterinary Surgeons Board to all 350 registered veterinarians in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), where desexing is legally required by 3 months of age for cats and 6 months of age for dogs. The survey evaluated veterinarian awareness, attitudes, and recommendations regarding mandatory prepubertal desexing.
What was found
The survey achieved a response rate of 14.9% (52/350). Only 10% of respondents (5/52) recommended desexing cats at the legally mandated age of 3 months. While 40% (21/52) considered prepubertal desexing an appropriate strategy to prevent cat overpopulation, 35% (18/52) were unaware that prepubertal desexing was legally mandatory in the ACT.
Why it matters
Statutory mandates for prepubertal desexing may fail to achieve intended policy outcomes if veterinary practitioners are unaware of the legislation or reluctant to perform and recommend the procedure at required ages.
Limits
The study is limited by a low response rate (14.9%) and small absolute sample size (n = 52), creating substantial risk for non-response and self-selection bias. The findings are geographically confined to a single Australian territory and the abstract reports data primarily on feline desexing attitudes without detailing findings for dogs.
Cited by
- partial It is illegal not to neuter a dog in Australia, whereas in Scandinavia it is illegal to neuter a dog.