"neutering here meaning spay or castration"
Another member of YT (which hopefully will see this thread) and I have been talking a bit about the benefits vs. risks of neutering dogs.
Now there are reasons cited like population controls/shelter overcrowding, marking, running away, getting injured due to restlessness, inconvience for owner and slight discomfort of being in heat for the dogs, etc. This isn't what we're talking about. What I would like to get to the bottom of is the "medical" benefits vs. risks of s/c, and if there are more benefits than risks, what is the best age to do it and does that age vary by breed.
On the benefit side, we have huge reduction/almost total elimination of mammary cancer if done in time and threat of pyometra taken care of. We also eliminate testicular tumors, etc., etc., etc. Hopefully the exact numbers for all of these things can be posted as this thread grows.
Then on the risk side we have increases in osteosarcoma and hemangiosarcome, urinary incontinence, possible bone issues, and the list goes on. There was a study done on rotties (haven't figured out who did it yet) that is a bit concerning.
So if you have an information, for or against, that is based off of research (don't mean one vet's or person's opinion...), then please post it.
