Neutering

[JJK]

Other than not being able to breed, what are the advantages of neutering?

At what age should dog be neutered?

[MuleShack]

Lots of different views out there on this...

I have read that you should let the dog mature to atleast one year before doing this. It lets all of the dogs joints, organs and the rest of the growth process finalize before altering the hormone process which according to some can cause long term affects. Some of these alleged affects include uneven growth of the rear legs which can cause bad hips later in life.

Even with in the last year, our vet has changed their opinion on the subject. I took my chocolate lab in the summer of 09 and they recommended having her fixed at 6 months. After doing my research I elected not to do it and am going to do it next month.

This last summer with my GSP, they now recommended that we wait until a full year to have him fixed. So we will be waiting to do him this next summer.

[JJK]

I've read some same things that you've described. And it seems like vets are changing their opinions.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Different vets will have differing opinions on when to do it. And it somewhat depends on the breed, as well. We decided to wait till the major growth spurts were out of the way, so we waited till just over a year.

Other advantages:

1) No messes to deal with--both for females and males. Our male was constantly dripping from his unit. Neutering pretty much puts an end to that.

2) If you have a male, his reaction around an in-season female will be lessened.

3) It can lessen some of their dominance behaviors.

4) No unwanted pups. IMO, breeding should be left to serious breeders. There are way too many unwanted dogs out there--take a trip to your local humane society if you doubt that.

[JayinMN]

The health benefits of neutering and spaying are way exaggerated by humane groups in an attempt to encourage more people to get their dogs fixed to end the pet over population problem. While it may eliminate some types of cancer, studies have shown that neutering and spaying significantly increase the chances of other cancers and health issues in dogs. Neutering and spaying is also often suggested as a cure all for behavioral problems which it is not.

Quote:

The number of health problems associated with neutering may exceed the associated health benefits in most cases. On the positive side, neutering male dogs

* eliminates the small risk (probably <1%) of dying from testicular cancer

* reduces the risk of non-cancerous prostate disorders

* reduces the risk of perianal fistulas

* may possibly reduce the risk of diabetes (data inconclusive)

On the negative side, neutering male dogs

* if done before maturity, increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) by a factor of 3.8; this is a common cancer in medium/large and larger breeds with a poor prognosis.

* increases the risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 1.6; this is a common cancer and major cause of death in some breeds

* triples the risk of hypothyroidism

* increases the risk of geriatric cognitive impairment

* triples the risk of obesity, a common health problem in dogs with many associated health problems

* quadruples the small risk (<0.6%) of prostate cancer

* doubles the small risk (<1%) of urinary tract cancers

* increases the risk of orthopedic disorders

* increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations

Female Dogs

For female dogs, the situation is more complex. The number of health benefits associated with spaying may exceed the associated health problems in some (not all) cases. On balance, whether spaying improves the odds of overall good health or degrades them probably depends on the age of the female dog and the relative risk of various diseases in the different breeds. On the positive side, spaying female dogs

* if done before 2.5 years of age, greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors, the most common malignant tumors in female dogs

* nearly eliminates the risk of pyometra, which otherwise would affect about 23% of intact female dogs; pyometra kills about 1% of intact female dogs

* reduces the risk of perianal fistulas

* removes the very small risk (0.5%) from uterine, cervical, and ovarian tumors

On the negative side, spaying female dogs

* if done before maturity, increases the risk of osteosarcoma by a factor of 3.1; this is a common cancer in larger breeds with a poor prognosis

* increases the risk of splenic hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 2.2 and cardiac hemangiosarcoma by factor of >5; this is a common cancer and major cause of death in some breeds

* triples the risk of hypothyroidism

* increases the risk of obesity by a factor of 1.6-2, a common health problem in dogs with many associated health problems

* causes urinary "spay incontinence" in 4-20% of female dogs

* increases the risk of persistent or recurring urinary tract infections by a factor of 3-4

* increases the risk of recessed vulva, vaginal dermatitis, and vaginitis, especially for female dogs spayed before puberty

* doubles the small risk (<1%) of urinary tract tumors

* increases the risk of orthopedic disorders

* increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations

[JJK]

What type of dripping are you talking about?

I have 2 intact male dogs in my house and have never seen any sort of dripping.

I've always had males and never neutered any of them. None of them have been sires either. It's my responsibility to keep my dogs from breeding.

[JJK]

Thanks JayinMN.

Where is that info from?

[Ralph Wiggum]

What type of dripping are you talking about?

I have 2 intact male dogs in my house and have never seen any sort of dripping.

Consider yourself lucky! I don't remember the medical term, but I was told it was quite normal.

[JJK]

Are you talking about green weinie?

I did have a springer years ago that had this problem. I bought him as a started pup 11 months old, but he was gun-shy so I returned to the breeder.

[JayinMN]

Just google "The Long Term Effects of Spay/Neuter" by Laura J. Sanborn, M.S. of Rutgers University and it should come right up.

[brittman]

I would suspect neutering greatly reduces the risk that a male dog will be hit by a car (or shot if you live in a rural area) roaming in search of an available female. I know good gun dog owners that have otherwise obedient dogs escape. Men just have a tough time neutering their dogs.

I would not base my decision soley on one study by someone apparently writing her Master's thesis? Unsure if she even has the credentials to analyze the data. I see many of the links, but was this paper published in a peer reviewed journal?

That said there are too many backyard breeders and the world does not need more mixed breed dogs nor does it need pure breed dogs owners that are not held responsible for the genetic traits of their pups. Good breeders certify their dogs ... which does not eliminate genetic problems, but certain should reduce them.

[JayinMN]

That is far from the only study that has been done. Its been proven that altering your dog before its done growing affects its orthopedic growth. Its also been proven that spay/neutering can significantly increase the chances of some cancers. There is strong evidence that many other health issues are increased as a result of neutering/spaying.

I am not anti neutering/spaying because it seems like the average person in America can't contain their dog whether its fixed or not. People should consider the risks though, become a bit more educated on it and base their own opinions when they want to get their animals fixed. 2 other interesting readings.

Quote:

s Early Neutering Hurting Pets?

By Alice Villalobos, DVM

Early neutering has become the norm in the U.S. Some states are asking voters to pass initiatives requiring citizens to sterilize their pets no later than puberty. Overpopulation is the driver.

But what if large-scale studies found that early neutering jeopardizes the health of our pets?

What if we found enough epidemiological evidence that early neutering of pet dogs may open them to orthopedic, behavioral, immunologic and oncologic issues?

A veterinarian who treats canine athletes has raised questions about early neutering. In an opinion article, Christine Zink, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVP, weighs the advantages and disadvantages of early versus late neutering when considering the performance and health of canine athletes.

The article, “Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete: One Veterinarian’s Opinion,” appears on Dr. Zink’s website. Click here to review the thought-provoking article and to look at the references.

Zink assembled 18 references to support her article. Some show that dogs spayed or neutered early are taller than dogs spayed at an older age. Zink notes that sex hormones have a role in bone density. She concludes that the structural and physiological differences in dogs neutered early may be the reason veterinarians are seeing a higher incidence of orthopedic disease such as CCL rupture and hip dysplasia than in dogs neutered after 5 1&#8260;2 months of age.

30-Year Campaign

For the past 30 years, our profession has urged the public to spay and neuter dogs and cats for a host of beneficial reasons, including population control and the avoidance of breast and testicular cancer. With client education and marketing, our profession has succeeded in making early spay-neuter programs our national custom, primarily for control of the population explosion.

Shelter medicine experts developed the concept of ultra-early neutering of kittens and puppies before adoption. This practice was embraced by thousands of rescue organizations across the nation, including the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals– founded in 1977 by yours truly–which has rescued and placed more than 11,600 animals.

Our organization looked at the data and felt that early spay-neuter was the best answer to address the horrible situation in American shelters, where animals are euthanatized because they were born feral, dumped or unwanted.

Mounting epidemiological evidence shows that we might be jeopardizing the well-being of pet dogs with the early neuter policy. The data are not persuasive for felines, but there are some issues with the size of the urethra in early neutered tom cats that may affect their health.

My special interests in practice have been cancer medicine and pet hospice. It is earth shattering to consider that some of the cancers we have been battling may have been enhanced by early neutering instead of the reverse!

Zink points out a retrospective study published in 1999 by Ware, et al, that found a five times greater risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma in spayed vs. intact female dogs.

Hemangiosarcoma is one of the three most common and devastatingly fatal cancers in larger dogs, especially German shepherds and golden retrievers. We see it most commonly as malignant growths in the spleen, but 25 percent of cases involve the heart and 25 percent appear in multiple locations.

Ware’s study also found a 2.4 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma in neutered dogs as compared to intact males.

This information has been around in journals for almost a decade, but it takes time to consider large epidemiological studies as evidence-based medicine useable in decision making.

A 2002 epidemiological study of 3,218 dogs done by Cooley and Glickman, et al, found that those neutered before age 1 had a significantly increased chance of developing osteosarcoma. Another study showed that neutered dogs were at a two-fold higher risk of developing osteosarcoma.

Lack of Proof

We need to re-examine the common belief that neutering dogs helps reduce prostate cancer. In fact, Obradovich, et al, in 1987 reported that neutering provides no benefit in protecting dogs from prostate cancer. Neutering definitely offers protection from recurrence of androgen hormone dependant perianal tumors.

Clear epidemiological evidence exists that female sex hormones cause mammary cancer. There is a slightly increased risk of mammary cancer in female dogs allowed to endure one heat cycle and the risk is increased with each additional estrus until the dog is 21&#8260;2 years old.

In dogs, 30 to 50 percent of mammary tumors are malignant. In cats, the rate of malignancy is 95 to 98 percent. Therefore, all mammary tumors in dogs and especially in cats should be surgically removed and biopsied as soon as they are detected. Early detection and excision can improve the prognosis.

It is well known that the incidence of urinary incontinence in early-spayed female dogs is higher than in non-spayed female dogs. This is due to the role that ovarian hormones play in the maintenance of genital tissues and urogenital contractility.

Aron, et al, in 1996, reported that male dogs neutered early had an increased risk of developing urethral sphincter incontinence. A health survey of several thousand dogs by the Golden Retriever Club of America showed that spayed or neutered dogs had a greater risk of hypothyroidism. In 2001, Howe and Slater reported an increase of infectious diseases in dogs spayed or neutered at or before 24 weeks of age versus over 24 weeks of age. The 2005 AKC-Canine Health Foundation reported a higher incidence of vaccines reactions in neutered dogs as compared to intact dogs.

The Vaccine Question

It is evident that we need more information and more leadership from our academicians to clarify our positions on early neutering. This reminds me of the profession’s dilemma over the issue of using certain vaccines that were known to be potentially carcinogenic in 1 in every 1,000 to 10,000 cats.

If it was your cat that got feline vaccine-associated sarcoma, it is a huge and important issue. The actual rate of disease is difficult to assess and is most likely under-reported in pet animals, given the stringent requirements of informatics reporting.

Many organizations that breed service dogs, such as Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Morris Animal Foundation are keeping records that may answer these questions.

I suspect that the abnormalities discussed above are real and underreported in the veterinary literature. The best thing we can do is to advise our concerned clients individually, looking at each animal’s role (agility, sports, jogging buddy, sled dog, service dog) within the human-animal bond. <HOME>

Alice Villalobos, DVM, offers insights into the human-animal bond, animal welfare and the relationships among pets, owners and veterinary practitioners. She is a member of the American Assn. of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians and is on the editorial review board of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics.

Quote:

Early Spay-Neuter Considerations

for the Canine Athlete

One Veterinarian's Opinion

© 2005 Chris Zink DVM, PhD, DACVP

Neuter or not?

Those of us with responsibility for the health of canine athletes need to continually read and evaluate new scientific studies to ensure that we are taking the most appropriate care of our performance dogs. This article provides evidence through a number of recent studies to suggest that veterinarians and owners working with canine athletes should revisit the standard protocol in which all dogs that are not intended for breeding are spayed and neutered at or before 6 months of age.

Orthopedic Considerations

A study by Salmeri et al in 1991 found that [PoorWordUsage] spayed at 7 weeks grew significantly taller than those spayed at 7 months, who were taller than those not spayed (or presumably spayed after the growth plates had closed).(1) A study of 1444 Golden Retrievers performed in 1998 and 1999 also found [PoorWordUsage] and dogs spayed and neutered at less than a year of age were significantly taller than those spayed or neutered at more than a year of age.(2) The sex hormones, by communicating with a number of other growth-related hormones, promote the closure of the growth plates at puberty (3), so the bones of dogs or [PoorWordUsage] neutered or spayed before puberty continue to grow. Dogs that have been spayed or neutered well before puberty can frequently be identified by their longer limbs, lighter bone structure, narrow chests and narrow skulls. This abnormal growth frequently results in significant alterations in body proportions and particularly the lengths (and therefore weights) of certain bones relative to others. For example, if the femur has achieved its genetically determined normal length at 8 months when a dog gets spayed or neutered, but the tibia, which normally stops growing at 12 to 14 months of age continues to grow, then an abnormal angle may develop at the stifle. In addition, with the extra growth, the lower leg below the stifle likely becomes heavier (because it is longer), and may cause increased stresses on the cranial cruciate ligament. In addition, sex hormones are critical for achieving peak bone density.(4) These structural and physiological alterations may be the reason why at least one recent study showed that spayed and neutered dogs had a higher incidence of CCL rupture.(5) Another recent study showed that dogs spayed or neutered before 5 1/2 months had a significantly higher incidence of hip dysplasia than those spayed or neutered after 5 1/2 months of age, although it should be noted that in this study there were no standard criteria for the diagnosis of hip dysplasia.(6) Nonetheless, breeders of purebred dogs should be cognizant of these studies and should consider whether or not pups they bred were spayed or neutered when considering breeding decisions.

Cancer Considerations

A retrospective study of cardiac tumors in dogs showed that there was a 5 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma, one of the three most common cancers in dogs, in spayed [PoorWordUsage] than intact [PoorWordUsage] and a 2.4 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma in neutered dogs as compared to intact males.(7) A study of 3218 dogs demonstrated that dogs that were neutered before a year of age had a significantly increased chance of developing bone cancer.(8) A separate study showed that neutered dogs had a two-fold higher risk of developing bone cancer.(9) Despite the common belief that neutering dogs helps prevent prostate cancer, at least one study suggests that neutering provides no benefit.(10) There certainly is evidence of a slightly increased risk of mammary cancer in female dogs after one heat cycle, and for increased risk with each subsequent heat. While about 30 % of mammary cancers are malignant, as in humans, when caught and surgically removed early the prognosis is very good.(12) Luckily, canine athletes are handled frequently and generally receive prompt veterinary care.

Behavioral Considerations

The study that identified a higher incidence of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in spayed or neutered dogs also identified an increased incidence of sexual behaviors in males and females that were neutered early.(5) Further, the study that identified a higher incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs neutered or spayed before 5 1/2 months also showed that early age gonadectomy was associated with an increased incidence of noise phobias and undesirable sexual behaviors.(6) A recent report of the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation reported significantly more behavioral problems in spayed and neutered [PoorWordUsage] and dogs. The most commonly observed behavioral problem in spayed females was fearful behavior and the most common problem in males was aggression.(12)

Other Health Considerations

A number of studies have shown that there is an increase in the incidence of female urinary incontinence in dogs spayed early (13), although this finding has not been universal. Certainly there is evidence that ovarian hormones are critical for maintenance of genital tissue structure and contractility.(14, 15) Neutering also has been associated with an increased likelihood of urethral sphincter incontinence in males.(16) This problem is an inconvenience, and not usually life-threatening, but nonetheless one that requires the dog to be medicated for life. A health survey of several thousand Golden Retrievers showed that spayed or neutered dogs were more likely to develop hypothyroidism.(2) This study is consistent with the results of another study in which neutering and spaying was determined to be the most significant gender-associated risk factor for development of hypothyroidism.(17) Infectious diseases were more common in dogs that were spayed or neutered at 24 weeks or less as opposed to those undergoing gonadectomy at more than 24 weeks.(18) Finally, the AKC-CHF report demonstrated a higher incidence of adverse reactions to vaccines in neutered dogs as compared to intact.(12)

To spay or not to spay

I have gathered these studies to show that our practice of routinely spaying or neutering every dog at or before the age of 6 months is not a black-and-white issue. Clearly more studies need to be done to evaluate the effects of prepubertal spaying and neutering, particularly in canine athletes.

Currently, I have significant concerns with spaying or neutering canine athletes before puberty. But of course, there is the pet overpopulation problem. How can we prevent the production of unwanted dogs while still leaving the gonads to produce the hormones that are so important to canine growth and development? One answer would be to perform vasectomies in males and tubal ligation in females, to be followed after maturity by ovariohysterectomy in females to prevent mammary cancer and pyometra. One possible disadvantage is that vasectomy does not prevent some unwanted behaviors associated with males such as marking and humping. On the other hand, females and neutered males frequently participate in these behaviors too. Really, training is the best solution for these issues. Another possible disadvantage is finding a veterinarian who is experienced in performing these procedures. Nonetheless, some do, and if the procedures were in greater demand, more veterinarians would learn them.

I believe it is important that we assess each situation individually. For canine athletes, I currently recommend that dogs and [PoorWordUsage] be spayed or neutered after 14 months of age.

[pureinsanity]

What type of dripping are you talking about?

I have 2 intact male dogs in my house and have never seen any sort of dripping.

I've always had males and never neutered any of them. None of them have been sires either. It's my responsibility to keep my dogs from breeding.

I agree. My dog still has his pair and he has NO dripping whatsoever. That sounds like more of a problem with the breed of the dog, or the bladder.

I have never had a neutered dog either. One was used for breeding and after that, that is all he cared about so he was pretty much retired.

I have been out hunting several times where several dogs were in heat and they all told me. Keep your dog away from ours! We don't want lab/english pointer puppies! lol.

I strapped the shock collar on him and was prepared to give him a zap if he went in that direction. Never had to use it once! He was in hunting mode! He wanted to hunt not sniff a rear end!

I think most of its all about training.

[JJK]

From what I've been reading 15 months shuold be the earliest. So when your vet says 6 months, it's time to find a new vet.

Is running a FemaleDog in heat really that smart?

[pureinsanity]

From what I've been reading 15 months shuold be the earliest. So when your vet says 6 months, it's time to find a new vet.

Is running a FemaleDog in heat really that smart?

Why? because she drips scent?

As stated my dog didn't care. He loves to hunt, she was ripe and ready and just went about his way hunting.

He does only like labs too though, maybe that had something to do with it.

That's funny a black lab that is only interested in other black labs. To each their own.

[pureinsanity]

Come to think of it, it would be an awesome idea to place random scent from an in heat dog in random places on public WMA. Might ensure better hunting when people show up and all their male cares about is that female dogs scent!

[JJK]

Thats a good one? Maybe just use some of that stuff the deer hunters use.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Let's just say I trust my vet more than internet info. If you don't trust your vet, get another vet.

[pureinsanity]

Thats a good one? Maybe just use some of that stuff the deer hunters use.

I am curious, why is running your dog in the field when shes in heat not smart?

I don't and probably wont own a female dog ever so I am clueless when it comes to female dogs. Why is this a bad idea?

[brittman]

Let's just say I trust my vet more than internet info. If you don't trust your vet, get another vet.

Agreed. All my females have been spayed at 8 - 9 months and I have not seen any issues describe in the quoted articles.