[quote=chachi;4451077]
Quote:
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 |
Awh, in small or toy breeds as there are no studies on hip or knee or stunted growth that I am aware of I can't speak to that. But there are multiple studies on medium to large breeds about the deleterious effects. Those studies for the most part are here on this thread. It could be that the relative weight of toy breeds is somewhat protective against ED and HD. But not for LP which runs rampant through toy breeds and not for FHO which as I said is in the rise. And that association for LP and for the hip problems such as FHO should be studied vs a vs early spay/neutering. And unfortunately our Yorkies have rampant Liver issues, such as MVD and LS. I assume you like I do not have a Yorkie that suffers from this. Is this an effect from s/n I doubt it but I don't know, as no studies as far as I am aware have been done to look at that association.
There are multiple studies in medium to large breeds that show the incidence of HD is increased anywhere from 1.5x to 2x for some breeds. The incidence of hemangiosarcoma in certain breeds like the Golden Retreivers is
such that almost 1 in 5 GR die from this disease anywhere from 5-7 yrs old. The incidence of osteoscarcoma is also increased as well at least 2 fold. When you have a breed (medium to large) that has a greater than 20% incidence rate of HD, and you see numbers from studies that say early neutering increases the likelihood of Hd or ED as the case might be by 20 or 50 or more % what do you do as a responsible pet owner?
Here is one of the values of research, if your breed has a 20% incidence rate of HD and early s/n increases their likelihood of moderate to severe HD or ED by a factor of 2 then you have some health decisions to make. At this point in time the options of successful surgery are limited with large breeds. If you could wait until 18months or more and decrease the risk or reduce it to 20% why not wait?
There are more than a few studies that show dogs go taller, are more narrow, and the joint angulations are more steep. Again in large to medium breeds that were s/n from early 6months old or less. Before boney plate closure.
In terms of toy breeds as no studies on this particular issue of LP has been done specifically looking at boney plate closure, and angulations, but we do know that sharpened angulation here does pre disposed to luxation in other breeds why not err on the side of caution and wait to boney plate closure? In small breeds anywhere from 8mths to 1 yrs old. Again there is no guess work, take a lateral view of the tibial plate as this one is the last to close, if it is closed then go ahead an spay. Even a general vet should be trained enough to ascertain if these growth plates have closed on Xray examination.. And Xray exams are not expensive $40 or so.
There is a reason why so many studies are being done on medium to large breeds. That is because the National Clubs and concerned Vets and citizens are agitating for it. Because so many of our large breeds are suffering from crippling HD and or ED and cancers of many kinds. Despite all the testing that responsible breeders do.
Did you know in Europe that hemagiosarcoma in GR's are almost un-heard of? Did you know that generally speaking Europe does not automatically s/n dogs? The pre-ponderance of the evidence is starting to be built here how s/n takes this beautiful wonderful breed at a huge risk for hemangiosarcoma! Not a message the vet world wants to hear, or I imagine the sheilters as well. But yet again there are options to do vascetomies and tubal ligations that keep the sex hormones intact.
At this point in time I would never ever recommend a person to adopt a large breed dog that was s/n at under 18 months old. The adopters should not be subjected to the costs and the emotional turmoil of trying to care for a dog with severe HD or ED.