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pstinard · 06-18-2014, 08:07 AM

One more article for the road. I google scholared "health benefits of neutering dogs" and this is the first article that popped up. Please note that ANY scientific article on spaying and neutering in dogs is going to discuss the risks and benefits. They will not sugar-coat the truth to favor any agenda. It is not fair to ask people to censor what they have to say about spaying and neutering, especially when they are providing factual information. The overwhelming consensus is that spaying and neutering is beneficial for most dogs. That consensus is reached by weighing the pros and cons. Excerpts from the article below. To be clear which parts are the article, and which parts are my comments, I will put the quotes from the article in bold:

Gonadectomy in Cats and Dogs: A Review of Risks and Benefits, by IM Reichler. Reprod Dom Anim 44 (Suppl. 2), 29–35 (2009); doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01437.x

Contents

The necessity, and in particular the timing, of gonadectomy in dogs and cats is still controversial. This is mainly because gonadectomy confers a mixture of benefits and adverse effects that depend upon the age at neutering, sex, species and breed. In this paper, the long-term risks and benefits of gonadectomy, at various ages, in dogs and cats are reviewed using data describing the effects of desexing on the urogenital tract and on other medical conditions, such as orthopaedic diseases, immune-mediated development and behaviour.

Introduction

Contraception through surgical sterilization or gonadectomy (GX) is usually an irreversible intervention that results in a permanent cessation of reproductive function. Surgical methods where the gonads are removed, are ovariectomy (OVE) or ovariohysterectomy (OVH), through the linea alba or via the flank or laparoscopy (Davidson et al. 2004; Devitt et al. 2005). In contrast to the removal of the gonads, sterilization by means of a vasectomy and salpingectomy also results in the elimination of reproductive function, but the sexual behaviour and the incidence of diseases caused by sexual hormones are not influenced.

GX to Control Pet Overpopulation

Until now, GX is the contraceptive technique of choice. As GX is irreversible, spay programmes are widely accepted for population control. In spite of worldwide efforts to reduce pet overpopulation, the number of unwanted dogs and cats is still increasing (New 2006). Researchers worldwide are searching for a single and simple contraceptive method that results in the permanent elimination of reproduction, but at signifi- cantly less cost than neutering. In male dogs, for instance, this can be achieved by the intratesticular injection of zinc gluconate (Levy et al. 2008). Spaying of female dogs and cats is still recommended to avoid high population densities, animal suffering and the spread of zoonoses. The castration of tomcats is also recommended, because castrated cats have on average better health and a reduced mortality rate than intact cats (Kalz 2001).

The necessity, and in particular the timing, of GX in dogs and cats kept as pets is still controversial. This is mainly because GX confers a mixture of benefits and adverse affects depending on age at neutering, sex, species and breed and it has been proposed that ‘Any policy decision should consider the frequency and consequences of any condition’ (Spain 2006).

[From here, the article goes on to discuss the effects of gonadectomy (neutering) on various parts of the body, pro and con. The parts considered are: Effect of Spaying on the Reproductive Tract, Effect of GX on the Development of Tumours of the Reproductive Tract, Sparing effect of spaying on the development of mammary tumours (MT), GX and survival rate after MT removal, Effect of spaying on tumours of the genital tract, Effect of spaying on external genitalia, Effects of Testicular Removal on the Genital Tract, Prostate cancer (PC), Effects of the timing of testicular removal on the genital tract, Effects of GX on the Lower Urinary Tract, Urinary incontinence (UI), Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), Effect of GX on Metabolism, Body weight, Diabetes mellitus (DM), Hypothyroidism, Effects of GX on the Musculoskeletal System, Growth, Fractures, Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR), Osteosarcoma, Effects of GX on Various Conditions, Cardiac tumours, and Life expectancy.]

Since life expectancy is of the greatest concern to the average dog owner, I will quote that part in full, since it clearly states that life expectancy is increased by neutering:

Life expectancy

It is well documented that neutered animals live longer than intact animals (Kraft 1998; Greer et al. 2007). The increased life expectancy in gonadectomized animals may be due to the preventive effect on diseases of the reproductive tract and ⁄ or the reduced risk-associated behaviour. However, the increased life expectancy may also reflect to some extent the enhanced care of neutered animals by their owners.

It is clear that surgical contraception offers both significant health and welfare benefits; however, the risks and adverse effects should always be considered in each animal and should be subject to careful debate with the animal’s owner.
[end of article]

06-18-2014, 08:07 AM	#220
pstinard YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Urbana, IL USA Posts: 3,648	One more article for the road. I google scholared "health benefits of neutering dogs" and this is the first article that popped up. Please note that ANY scientific article on spaying and neutering in dogs is going to discuss the risks and benefits. They will not sugar-coat the truth to favor any agenda. It is not fair to ask people to censor what they have to say about spaying and neutering, especially when they are providing factual information. The overwhelming consensus is that spaying and neutering is beneficial for most dogs. That consensus is reached by weighing the pros and cons. Excerpts from the article below. To be clear which parts are the article, and which parts are my comments, I will put the quotes from the article in bold: Gonadectomy in Cats and Dogs: A Review of Risks and Benefits, by IM Reichler. Reprod Dom Anim 44 (Suppl. 2), 29–35 (2009); doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01437.x Contents The necessity, and in particular the timing, of gonadectomy in dogs and cats is still controversial. This is mainly because gonadectomy confers a mixture of benefits and adverse effects that depend upon the age at neutering, sex, species and breed. In this paper, the long-term risks and benefits of gonadectomy, at various ages, in dogs and cats are reviewed using data describing the effects of desexing on the urogenital tract and on other medical conditions, such as orthopaedic diseases, immune-mediated development and behaviour. Introduction Contraception through surgical sterilization or gonadectomy (GX) is usually an irreversible intervention that results in a permanent cessation of reproductive function. Surgical methods where the gonads are removed, are ovariectomy (OVE) or ovariohysterectomy (OVH), through the linea alba or via the flank or laparoscopy (Davidson et al. 2004; Devitt et al. 2005). In contrast to the removal of the gonads, sterilization by means of a vasectomy and salpingectomy also results in the elimination of reproductive function, but the sexual behaviour and the incidence of diseases caused by sexual hormones are not influenced. GX to Control Pet Overpopulation Until now, GX is the contraceptive technique of choice. As GX is irreversible, spay programmes are widely accepted for population control. In spite of worldwide efforts to reduce pet overpopulation, the number of unwanted dogs and cats is still increasing (New 2006). Researchers worldwide are searching for a single and simple contraceptive method that results in the permanent elimination of reproduction, but at signifi- cantly less cost than neutering. In male dogs, for instance, this can be achieved by the intratesticular injection of zinc gluconate (Levy et al. 2008). Spaying of female dogs and cats is still recommended to avoid high population densities, animal suffering and the spread of zoonoses. The castration of tomcats is also recommended, because castrated cats have on average better health and a reduced mortality rate than intact cats (Kalz 2001). The necessity, and in particular the timing, of GX in dogs and cats kept as pets is still controversial. This is mainly because GX confers a mixture of benefits and adverse affects depending on age at neutering, sex, species and breed and it has been proposed that ‘Any policy decision should consider the frequency and consequences of any condition’ (Spain 2006). [From here, the article goes on to discuss the effects of gonadectomy (neutering) on various parts of the body, pro and con. The parts considered are: Effect of Spaying on the Reproductive Tract, Effect of GX on the Development of Tumours of the Reproductive Tract, Sparing effect of spaying on the development of mammary tumours (MT), GX and survival rate after MT removal, Effect of spaying on tumours of the genital tract, Effect of spaying on external genitalia, Effects of Testicular Removal on the Genital Tract, Prostate cancer (PC), Effects of the timing of testicular removal on the genital tract, Effects of GX on the Lower Urinary Tract, Urinary incontinence (UI), Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), Effect of GX on Metabolism, Body weight, Diabetes mellitus (DM), Hypothyroidism, Effects of GX on the Musculoskeletal System, Growth, Fractures, Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR), Osteosarcoma, Effects of GX on Various Conditions, Cardiac tumours, and Life expectancy.] Since life expectancy is of the greatest concern to the average dog owner, I will quote that part in full, since it clearly states that life expectancy is increased by neutering: Life expectancy It is well documented that neutered animals live longer than intact animals (Kraft 1998; Greer et al. 2007). The increased life expectancy in gonadectomized animals may be due to the preventive effect on diseases of the reproductive tract and ⁄ or the reduced risk-associated behaviour. However, the increased life expectancy may also reflect to some extent the enhanced care of neutered animals by their owners. It is clear that surgical contraception offers both significant health and welfare benefits; however, the risks and adverse effects should always be considered in each animal and should be subject to careful debate with the animal’s owner. [end of article]