"Pediatric spaying (also known as \u201Cprepuberal\u201D or \u201Cearly\u201D spaying) or neutering is defined as performing an ovariohysterectomy (spaying) or orchidectomy (castration or neutering) on a kitten or puppy between the ages of 6 and 14 weeks. Spaying and neutering are sterilization procedures which prevent the animals from reproducing. The procedures are also referred to as \u201Cgonadectomies\u201D in the veterinary literature."@en .