[pstinard]

Originally Posted by gemy

Thanks for that. I have just finished reading it. Let me play devils advocate for a moment. Here is the extract I have just copied.
As an example, consider a discussion between a

veterinarian and the owner of an 8-week-old female

Labrador Retriever that is not intended for breeding.

This dog would benefit greatly from OHE before her

first estrus as a means of preventing mammary gland

tumors, which are extremely common and cause substantial

morbidity (Table 3). Because of her breed, detriments

of OHE include an increased predisposition to

CCL injury, hemangiosarcoma, and obesity. However,

there is a low incidence of hemangiosarcoma, and obesity

can be readily controlled with good husbandry,

which leaves CCL injury as the most important possible

detriment. Because the incidence of CCL rupture is

lower than that of mammary gland neoplasia, a veterinarian

may choose to recommend OHE and educate the

owner about maintenance of optimal body condition

and other management techniques that will minimize

potential for CCL injury. An OHE should be performed

before the dog’s first estrus. To minimize the potential

for development of urinary incontinence, the veterinarian

may choose to wait to perform the OHE until after

the dog has reached 3 months of age


So the devils advocate part. As a medium to large breed, depending upon where you put the ruler, this breed is at least in the top 10 breeds for CHD. Their long bones certainly will not close at 6mths old!! And there have been studies that show increased incidence of CCL as well as CHD. And for a working dog which is what a LAB is you effectively put them out of work with a CCL rupture!. Not to mention the cost of the operation, and the lifetime restriction of activities. And I wonder is this what they mean when they "recommend" the vet instruct on how to minimize a potential CCL tear. To not do what they were bred to do? That is to retrieve water fowl from the water. To run through bush. To actively perform many tasks, including by the way being sturdy and healthy enough to be a service dog?

Second Mammary Cancer can be caught early and successfully operated upon. The vet community is responsible for educating owners on how to responsibly care for an intact bitch. That includes at least monthly examination of the nipples. Now the cost of preventative care for Mammary CAncer is a heck of a lot less than a CCL operation and the lameness/stiffness and the inability to do the work they were bred to do!

Obesity for sure has been shown to be a part of neutering in many studies. It is much harder to keep an injured dog fit, (such as one that has a CCL tear), than a healthy able to be active dog. It is not just a matter of food and exercise, although important I am sure I have seen at least one study that excludes food/exercise and yet still obesity is there. And of course there are the anecdoctal stories. And my observations of "active" neutered/spayed Labs playing in the water with mine. Almost to a one they are too heavy. Yet I see them 2-3 times a week with mine, going swimming. And boy those Labs love to swim!!!! And owners talk to each other at the lake.

So in closing, I would have more than a few challenges on these recommendations if I were an owner of a Lab.

All very good and valid points for a sporting dog. How would you run the costs and benefits for a Yorkie, which is not a sporting dog (in the modern sense), and which has a lower incidence of CHD?