Sterilization may consist of the elimination of microorganisms.
Sterilization is the action and effect of sterilizing . This verb refers to the action of destroying pathogenic germs or making something sterile and infertile that was not previously so.
For example: "Please take care of the sterilization of these instruments" , "The infection was caused by a failure in the sterilization of the medical material used in the intervention" , "The sterilization of stray dogs is necessary to prevent uncontrolled reproduction" .
Elimination of microbes
The term sterilization can therefore be used to refer to the control of microbial growth that allows the elimination of all forms of life , such as viruses and spores. Sterilization thus deals with the destruction of microorganisms found in an object, substance or place .
Microbiological sterilization can be carried out using different chemical and physical methods. A common alternative is to subject the object to be sterilized to high temperatures that cause the death of microorganisms. Implements used in hospitals , medical devices and food are some of the things that are usually subjected to sterilization.
Spaying and neutering pets is a permanent and often irreversible method of contraception.
Pet sterilization
In medicine and veterinary medicine, sterilization can also be the method that makes a living being sterile and infertile, which prevents its reproduction . It is a permanent and generally irreversible contraception.
The sterilization of pets , such as dogs and cats, is a mechanism that is often considered beneficial for animals and humans, as it prevents procreation and reduces the chances of abandonment. However, despite the insistence of specialists on the subject, many people who live with animals that have been sterilized claim that the complications after the operation are worse than the discomfort that preceded it, and there are countless stories of animals that have spent their entire fertile lives and have not suffered from any of the disorders commonly mentioned in this field .
Advantages and disadvantages of these interventions
It is said that men are more resistant to sterilising their pets than women, and that one of the most frequent fears is that their reproductive capacity would be diminished by the annulment of their capacity , which could lead to depression and a negative change in their character. Veterinarians deny such possibilities, arguing that animals base their character on their environment rather than on their genitalia, and claiming that depriving them of their reproductive organs does nothing more than take a weight off their shoulders, leaving them with one less need to satisfy.
In light of this need-related statement, there are a number of stories of male animals becoming upset and attempting to mount females in heat that they find in their environment, as well as females suffering from terrible disorders including psychological pregnancies and cancer , two problems that are not supposed to appear after sterilization. So, can castration campaigns be trusted? Or are we putting the health and happiness of our pets at risk simply by listening to the wisdom of our species?
The dilemma begins with the fact that we cannot ask a dog or cat if they want to undergo surgery to alter their body and prevent their ability to reproduce. However, if real experiences show that sterilization is not a definitive and infallible solution to excessive reproduction, what animal in its right mind would choose to be anesthetized, opened and modified rather than endure discomfort every 6 months? We do not know the answer, and that is why neither of the two positions prevails over the other.
Another point that worries people who are considering neutering their pets is weight gain; to this, specialists respond that animals maintain their proper physical condition as long as they do the recommended amount of exercise per day and lead a calm and happy life.