兽医工作组对猫绝育和绝育手术年龄建议指南

目前对猫的绝育年龄的建议是武断且不一致的。采用循证指南有望减少猫主人的困惑，减少弃养猫的风险，并最大限度地提高猫健康和福利效益。

一个由兽医和专家组成的特别工作组，从私人和公司兽医诊所、猫专科诊所、收容所诊所、有组织的兽医诊所、猫科健康研究、行为和学术界选出专家，对目前可用的关于“为猫绝育的最佳年龄”的证据进行了调研。2016年1月15日，兽医工作组在佛罗里达州奥兰多召开了猫的绝育会议。

鉴于绝育手术已知的好处，以及缺乏证据表明绝育手术的伤害与年龄有关，兽医工作组呼吁兽医从业者和专业协会建议在5个月大时对猫进行绝育手术。这为兽医从业者提供了一致的信息，可能会增加兽医就诊和绝育的依从性，同时降低宠主放弃和不想要后代的风险。

Kirk J. Breuninger, VMD, MPH, Veterinary Research Associate, Banfield Pet Hospital, Portland, Oregon

Steve Dale, CABC, certified animal behavior consultant, writer/TV-radio host, board member Winn Feline Foundation

Lauren E. Demos, BGS BSc (Vet Biol) BVMS Hons (Vet Virology), Resident, ABVP (Feline), VIN Associate Editor, Feline Internal Medicine, 2016 President Elect, American Association of Feline Practitioners Board of Directors, Veterinary Information Network

Brenda Griffin, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Adjunct Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Brian Holub, DVM. Chief Medical Officer, VetCor, Hingham, Massachusetts; board member Winn Feline Foundation; medical advisory board Canine Health Foundation

Kendall Houlihan, DVM. Assistant Director, Animal Welfare Division, American Veterinary Medical Association

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM. Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Michael R. Moyer, VMD. President and Owner Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital and Bridgewater Consulting, Bensalem, Pennsylvania

Joan Miller, The Cat Fanciers' Association, Chair, Outreach and Education Program, San Diego, California

Esther Mechler, Marian’s Dream: Philanthropy for Animal Advocates

Glenn A. Olah, DVM, PhD, DABVP(feline). Winn Feline Foundation, President, Wyckoff, New Jersey; Albuquerque Cat Clinic, Albuquerque, New Mexico