Spay and neutering should i be worried

[Graneet]

I was looking for using conditioner on a yorky. From a vet. Should i be worried neutering my boo

VETERINARY
Benefits of Dog Neuter are Age Dependent

Neutering male dogs involves removal of both testicles and spaying a female dog requires removal of the ovaries and uterus. Both procedures result in the interruption of the body's production of hormones. Without hormones, unwanted canine pregnancies and pet overpopulation issues are avoided.

For years, veterinarians and pet owners alike have been taught about all the potential health benefits of spaying and neutering dogs. Unfortunately, recent published research, indicates otherwise.

Hip Dysplasia, knee or stifle ligament injuries and three types of canine cancer were the focus of this canine lifetime study. The 3 types of dog cancer studied were Lymphoma, Hemangiosarcoma and Mast Cell Tumors.

The rate of disease development in neutered male and spayed female dogs was significantly higher in each of the 5 diseases studied versus the intact group of dogs in the study that were not neutered or spayed.
What other Dog Health Issues are Affected by Early Age Spays & Neuters?

In addition to dog arthritis and canine cancer, early age pet spays and neuters have been linked to unwanted dog behavioral issues and a host of other negative health disorders still being studied.
Does Spaying Female Dogs offer any Health Benefits?

Yes, in addition to reducing the population of stray, homeless canines, spaying dogs does offer certain pet health benefits. For example, spaying female dogs does prevent the development of a life threatening disease called Pyometra.

Pyometra is of greatest risk to senior aged, intact female dogs. Age 10 is typical for intact female dogs to develop and present with Canine Pyometra. The dog's uterus fills with pus and spaying her becomes a lifesaving procedure in this particular case.

Spaying female dogs after age 6, offers the best of both worlds; dogs are able to maintain health and wellness and avoid Pyometra.
What are the True Benefits of Neutering Male Dogs?

Neutering male dogs does help to reduce unwanted, aggressive behaviors as well as canine urine marking.

In these, unruly dogs, neutering eliminates the production of the male hormone, Testosterone, which in most cases, along with behavioral modification suffices to "take the wind out of their sails," and reduce or eliminate these unwanted behaviors.
This study indicates the importance of discussing the true risks and benefits of spaying or neutering your dog with your veterinarian prior to the procedure.

Veterinarians and pet owners alike should use their best medical judgment when deciding the best time and age to spay or neuter dogs and cats.

[gemy]

There are many threads on here about that self same topic. With just a copy of the article you supplied, I can't check to see if this person is basing their opinion on just one study; if so; that is a serious short-coming.


The vast majority of the studies do not include toy breed dogs, but more the medium to large sized dogs; and how, when, and if, those results can be attributed across all breeds of dogs is un-known to many.


Behavioural risks or benefits is one area that many studies bring up conflicting results. So imo, the science is not there yet with any degree of accuracy. In point of fact the science is not truly there yet for any breed of dog, although there are some very concerning results for some breeds of dogs - but not so much toy breeds and in specific the Yorkshire Terrier.


I will link you to a thread that actually links to real studies, the thread is quite long, with many contentious parts to it. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...n-if-ever.html


You can read up on the research yourself, and have a conversation with your vet about the benefits . risks for your specific dog prior to making the decision to neuter him or not. It is very wise to have pre-op blood work done prior to any surgery.


You can also elect to wait to neuter until after 8months old, which should mean that the boney growth plates have closed and thereby reducing or eliminating the osteo risks of early neutering. Again imo.


Good luck with your decision, and do remember to have a conversation with your vet about this.

[Graneet]

Thank you just read that and it kinda scared me . I have to get boo nutered but im thinking its eight months. Dont want to do anything to cause my baby issues later.

[misterjohnny]

We had him neutered at 7 months per the vets advice. I didn't know about the growth plates. I believe the neutering led to abnormal growth. He has very long legs for a yorkie and weighs nine pounds. His spine also seems abnormal. He has a very hard time doing sit pretty. His parents are show dogs weighing 5 and 5 1/2 pounds, so imo, his overgrowth may have been affected by the neuter. I wish breeders would discuss this with their clients. I don't want him to suffer any bone problems later in life.

[SirTeddykins]

As you probably know, cuz I say this a lot (ha), I got Teddy from a Crufts/International show judge and breeder.


Her advice to me was to neuter no earlier than 3 years old which was advice specific to the YT. I did not think to ask why as I was set on neutering him at just over one year and now I do not think I will ever neuter him as the vet even confirmed that there is no real benefit that can be confirmed by science in his opinion. You will have to make your own decision, as a pet owner. I know that if I had a female in my house, or my dog was around other females, he would definitely be neutered. This is socially responsible even if it does not benefit the dog in any way. As it is, he is left intact and marks in my house, currently! Which, to be fair, may or may not have anything to do with neutering. Again, this point is lacking scientific evidence.

[ladyjane]

MisterJohnny, I don't believe for one minute that your yorkie has long legs due to being neutered at 7 months. LOTS of yorkies have long legs! There is so much hoopla about this growth plate thing...IF there are any changes due to early neuter, I don't believe they are not and noticeable like you are thinking! Besides that, this is also a very controversial subject with not everyone buying in on it.

Have you spoken with your vet about your concerns about his legs and spine? You should if you have not already.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by misterjohnny

We had him neutered at 7 months per the vets advice. I didn't know about the growth plates. I believe the neutering led to abnormal growth. He has very long legs for a yorkie and weighs nine pounds. His spine also seems abnormal. He has a very hard time doing sit pretty. His parents are show dogs weighing 5 and 5 1/2 pounds, so imo, his overgrowth may have been affected by the neuter. I wish breeders would discuss this with their clients. I don't want him to suffer any bone problems later in life.

I think if you read the research which was linked in a few posts above yours, you will note the absence of research on toy breeds not to mention in specific Yorkshire Terriers.


Spinal abnormalities are not linked to early neutering, and if present should be discussed with your vet!
Hard time doing sit pretty is usually his back muscles are weak..... And that can be from incorrect or incomplete training to build up those muscles.


Well nothing is outside the realm of possibility the probability of neutering aat 7mths old creating long legs and an abnormal back are very slim.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by misterjohnny

We had him neutered at 7 months per the vets advice. I didn't know about the growth plates. I believe the neutering led to abnormal growth. He has very long legs for a yorkie and weighs nine pounds. His spine also seems abnormal. He has a very hard time doing sit pretty. His parents are show dogs weighing 5 and 5 1/2 pounds, so imo, his overgrowth may have been affected by the neuter. I wish breeders would discuss this with their clients. I don't want him to suffer any bone problems later in life.

Your theory is not based on any type of science bases medicine and more likely do to poor breeding. How does removing hormones stimulate growth or cause spinal adnormalties?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by misterjohnny

We had him neutered at 7 months per the vets advice. I didn't know about the growth plates. I believe the neutering led to abnormal growth. He has very long legs for a yorkie and weighs nine pounds. His spine also seems abnormal. He has a very hard time doing sit pretty. His parents are show dogs weighing 5 and 5 1/2 pounds, so imo, his overgrowth may have been affected by the neuter. I wish breeders would discuss this with their clients. I don't want him to suffer any bone problems later in life.

That was not caused by neutering. The growth plates still close if there not closed when they get fixed.

[gemy]

From my understanding; the growth plates are stimulated by hormones to close, and once the growth plates close, no more long boney growth happens. In other words closure of the growth plates stop long bone growth. With early neutering prior to growth plate closure the hormone responsible for stimulating the boney growth plate closure is either delayed or reduced in concentration, thus leaving the growth plates open longer than ideal and an open invitation for the long bones to continue to grow.


And so yes the long bones grow longer if the growth plates don't close... or close late..........


Now logically in small under 10inch tall dogs the effect would most likely be minimized (and btw dwarfism is a different kettle of fish), But the relationship of a long femur to a standard or short tibia, would again logically see the articulating surface relationships between these two bones alter; and as the patella tracks between the base of the femur and the top of the tibia it is interesting to imagine how the patella might be affected.

[SirTeddykins]

Originally Posted by gemy

From my understanding; the growth plates are stimulated by hormones to close, and once the growth plates close, no more long boney growth happens. In other words closure of the growth plates stop long bone growth. With early neutering prior to growth plate closure the hormone responsible for stimulating the boney growth plate closure is either delayed or reduced in concentration, thus leaving the growth plates open longer than ideal and an open invitation for the long bones to continue to grow.


And so yes the long bones grow longer if the growth plates don't close... or close late..........


Now logically in small under 10inch tall dogs the effect would most likely be minimized (and btw dwarfism is a different kettle of fish), But the relationship of a long femur to a standard or short tibia, would again logically see the articulating surface relationships between these two bones alter; and as the patella tracks between the base of the femur and the top of the tibia it is interesting to imagine how the patella might be affected.

glad you said it...lol!

[gracielove]

Several years ago I had a female Maltese puppy that was 6 months old and went into heat. She developed pyometra and nearly died. Ever since then when I had a female pup I would try to get it spayed before any heat cycle started.

Well, Gracie was a different story. She was so tiny as a puppy that we (my vet and I) decided to wait until she was at least 4lbs to do the surgery. My vet was very experienced in doing surgery on tiny animals, however, we waited so that Gracie could get most of her normal growth in before doing such an intrusive surgery on her. I was good with that because I had never had such a tiny baby and was nervous about having it done anyway.

I knew what to watch for as far as any uterine infection and everything went well when she did go into heat. She was spayed some time after her 1st birthday. We all survived and she has been totally healthy all of her 4 years.

Make sure you have a good talk with your vet about this subject. If you are not totally comfortable with your vet then go find another one that you can trust. Make sure you find out their experience level and their views on animal health issues. There are a few different trains of thought on such subjects. You are ultimately responsible for your pet's health so be sure you feel comfortable with what is suggested.

[ladyjane]

Bottom line: The research is just not there on yorkies and personally I would rather see people spay/neuter early than wait and invite more problems. We have all seen plenty of the oopsie pregnancies leading to dead puppies and/or mothers and pyometria and mammary tumors. Well maybe not all of us....but quite a few.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by misterjohnny

We had him neutered at 7 months per the vets advice. I didn't know about the growth plates. I believe the neutering led to abnormal growth. He has very long legs for a yorkie and weighs nine pounds. His spine also seems abnormal. He has a very hard time doing sit pretty. His parents are show dogs weighing 5 and 5 1/2 pounds, so imo, his overgrowth may have been affected by the neuter. I wish breeders would discuss this with their clients. I don't want him to suffer any bone problems later in life.

Most of the people who believe this is an issue are breeders....but not everyone believes this is a big issue. This is an ongoing debate.

Again, I strongly advise you to take your pup to your vet to discuss your concerns. You also might want to go to a specialist and have him examined.

Good luck!

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by gemy

From my understanding; the growth plates are stimulated by hormones to close, and once the growth plates close, no more long boney growth happens. In other words closure of the growth plates stop long bone growth. With early neutering prior to growth plate closure the hormone responsible for stimulating the boney growth plate closure is either delayed or reduced in concentration, thus leaving the growth plates open longer than ideal and an open invitation for the long bones to continue to grow.


And so yes the long bones grow longer if the growth plates don't close... or close late..........


Now logically in small under 10inch tall dogs the effect would most likely be minimized (and btw dwarfism is a different kettle of fish), But the relationship of a long femur to a standard or short tibia, would again logically see the articulating surface relationships between these two bones alter; and as the patella tracks between the base of the femur and the top of the tibia it is interesting to imagine how the patella might be affected.

Jodi posted an article about it that says after spraying or neutering the growth plates still close.....