[quote=chachi;4451077]
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Originally Posted by gemy  Chachi you know where, just go to sick and emergency forum, and the multiple articles "researched" about genetic defects in dogs. LadyJane I believe posted one, as did I from different sources, this was a compilation of different research on genetic deficits not just in Yorkies but other breeds. Yorkies have somewhere around 21 genetic defects.
I too have been blessed with a healthy Yorkie, that came from healthy parents, my Yorkie has been health tested prior to his breeding.
And you do know what I mean by that
Gemy I respect your opinion and appreciate that you keep us up to date on research. My question wasnt about genetic defects I know all dogs can have them I am questioning the acquired problems because of early spay and neuter. I am just wondering if early spay and neutering causes hip problems and knee problems or stunted bone growth why we arent hearing more owners with these problems or why mine dont have them |
I think that you are misunderstanding how bone grows and what growth plates are in the bone. Spay and Neuter does not cause bones to stop growing. When bones are growing (in animals and humans) they grow from the ends of the long bones like in the legs. Here is a link to a chart for bone growth. The argument is that without hormones the growth plates close a little slower. They do not STOP closing.
PROVET HEALTHCARE INFORMATION - Growth Plate Closure Times - Dogs
Growth Plate Closure - Range (days) Closure - Average (days)
FORELIMB
Tuber scapulae 117-210 186
Proximal humeral epiphysis 273-465 375
Medial and lateral humeral condyles 138-236 187
Medial humeral epicondyle 187-240 216
Proximal radial epiphysis 136-330 258
Distal radial epiphysis 136-510 318
Proximal ulnar epiphysis 161-450 258
Distal ulnar epiphysis 217-450 308
Intermediate and radial carpal bones 101
Central carpal bone 110
Epiphysis of accessory bone 113-180 135
Proximal metacarpal epiphysis 145
Distal metacarpal epiphysis II-V 165-240 203
Proximal phalangeal epiphysis I 141
Proximal phalanx proximal epiphysis II-V 131-224 186
Middle phalanx. proximal epiphysis II-V 131-224 183
PROVET HEALTHCARE INFORMATION - Growth Plate Closure Times - Dogs
The issue that I see with the chart is that it's a general closure and not specific for each breed. Larger dogs take a longer time for their growth plates to close. So the bolded bones are the ones that are being referred to in these studies.
I also quoted a different study below that says the very slight different in growth plate closure is a matter of a few weeks.
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The impact of early spaying or neutering on skeletal growth has been investigated. Testosterone and estrogen, although not re*quired, influence growth, mainte*nance, and aging of the skeleton.2 In one study, spaying/neutering at seven weeks or seven months of age did not affect the rate of bone growth in male or female dogs when compared with intact dogs.2 Nonetheless, early spaying or neutering in dogs will result in a delay in the closure of the growth plate by an average of nine weeks. This delay will cause in*creased bone length in both male and female dogs, however. If the operation is done at seven months of age, the delay will be seen in male dogs only. Therefore, the be*lief that prepubertal spaying or neutering stunts growth is not true.2
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SUMMARY
The effects of early spaying or neutering continue to be studied. New information suggests that the consequences associated with early spaying or neutering are not nearly as detrimental as previously thought and that many reasons against early spaying or neutering are not based on sound scientific information. Changes in secondary sex characteristics appear to be the most profound side effects of early spaying or neutering. Recent studies suggest that early spaying or neutering has very little impact on an animal's health. Currently, it appears that early spaying or neu*tering has significant merit in pre*venting disease of the reproductive organs and in controlling the pet population. |
These are all parts of the same Journal of American Veterinary Medicine which is a pay site so I cannot get the full content of the article. I will post the entire article below.
Gonadectomy in immature dogs: effects on ... [J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1991] - PubMed - NCBI