Spay and Neuter: When and If ever? Canine Sports Productions: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete I've attached one link that talks about this issue, but there are many, many more sites, that incorporate recent (let's say past 5-7 yrs of research), by unbiased evaluators of the multiplicity of research available on this subject. For many pet owners, it is almost an automatic decision to spay and neuter their pet. After all the vet recommends it, rescue does it as a matter of policy, your breeder wants it, and everywhere you turn you are advised to spay and or neuter your pet. You are told categorically that it is overwhelming better for the health of your pet: well that is not "categorically so". Research throws some clear light onto this matter. What I believe you need to separate out from all this is a couple of things; one: there is a pet overpopulation problem (and if you spay and neuter obviously you can't contribute to this), and the vested interests of both vets and breeders and rescues to spay and neuter. Vets have an economic interest in the spay and neuter process. Breeders want to protect their lines, and make sure their lines are not deliberately or inadvertenly bred. So as a concerned pet owner and a Responsible one, what do you do? In my opinion first you want to make sure that the growth plates are closed before any spay and or neutering is considered. It is different for each breed of dog, and also within each line of that breed. But not for almost all breeds before 12 months of age, and in some 18 to 24 months ( eg:large breed dogs). I say this because early and especially very early neutering and spaying prior to 5 mths old, result in structural abnormalities and their resultant cocommittant osteopaedic problems that a pet owner should not have to deal with. Not to mention the increased risk of cancer, ligament tears, and dysplasia. What does this mean to you as a dog owner?. For females they will go through at least one heat and maybe two, and must be safeguarded from breeding. Safeguarding does NOT mean belly bands and panties, but crates and separate feeding and exercise times for 5 wks or maybe 6wks, starting from as early as 6mths old for toy breeds, or 9 mths old for larger breeds, once heat has commenced. For the male puppy, you make sure they don't roam free, and if they mark their territory so be it. You can with effort (akin to housebreaking) train your male not to mark in the house. The research is clear at least for males, and somewhat less clear for females, that only looking at "health" and not other issues, that for the majority of male dogs, neutering Does Not provide significantly increased health over the long term, in fact the opposite. Some fallacies that seem to be negated when studies are examined: Neutering makes behavioural (beneficial changes in the males), specifically aggression..... Not so, In fact more aggression is observed in neutered males. Neutering makes marking less....... Not clear or proven Spay incontinence is so common; a term which was developed to describe what can happen after spay/neuter. This means your dog female or male. can't hold their bladder, and you as the pet owner must constantly over the life of your pet be prepared to clean up after urine discharge. Believe you me, I don't want irresposnible breeding, but I don't want others to be sold a bill of goods either. That bill being, spaying/neutering is categorically good for the health of your pet. |
I've been aware of some of the problems of altering and early s/n for some time now. Working with rescue though, I tend to see only the irresponsible pet owners and greeders and still think the advantages of s/n outweigh the disadvantages. I'm sure the average member on yt could most likely raise their pets intact and manage to still be responsible about avoiding any accidents. However, we are but a small percentage of the pet owners across the world. Still yet we do see quite a few "oops" litters posted about here. As far as vets having a vested economic interest in s/n, I think the same argument could be made for over-breeding and vets. After all, vet care to bring a litter to market is not cheap, and then there is the continued benefit of those puppies needing future vet care with annual check-ups, dentals, senior care, etc. Seems to me, if a vet was worried only about his vested interest, it would be much more lucrative, to promote breeding, rather than s/n. Until all pet owners become truly responsible and our shelters/rescues are near empty, I'll have to continue to favor spay and neuter, even if it is early s/n in some cases. |
Peyton was spayed before i got her, but my 2 chihuahuas i had as puppies and they are 3 years old now and i have been so afraid to get them spayed. there is no chance that they will get pregnant. i do not have a male and they are inside most of the time and when they go out , i am right there with them. i have been afraid because the last dog i had, was a boston terrier and he was an adult dog when i neutered him and after i picked him up from the surgery , he would drip urine uncontrollably. i just have a fear that something like this might happen or something worse. but i know neutering is so routine and most always goes just right. i do have an appt. with my biggest Chihuahua for an exam before booking a spay. i decided i will go ahead with it for her because her last heat cycle she went into a false pregnancy, and also she has allergies and the vet thought it possibly could be hormonal. So i'm going to have Tootsie spayed but i'm not having Minnie spayed. just too scared and her times in heat go perfect. |
Great discussion. There was another article a couple years back about this too...think it was in the Whole Dog Journal....? Really good. At the end of the day, we (creatures in general) all do much better w/ our hormones intact - hormones are so important to our bodies. Overpopulation is a tragic reality w/ devastating consequences - so from that angle, s/n can be viewed as necessary. It *is* sad (to me) to deprive our kiddos from their natural hormones though. |
Quote:
|
very interesting, as I'm trying to decide the best time to spay my Chloe because she turns 6 months next month. |
This is something I've thought a lot about for my own pups. I've come to the conclusion that for my family, the benefits of spaying (medically) outweigh the risks. ..that is if it's done before the second heat. After that, I think it's up to each owner if they want to chance pyometra. It is very common and you'l need to spay if it happens anyway. For the boys, I'm still unsure. There are strong medical arguments either way. At this time, because some medical issues are prevented and because marking can potentially be eliminated, I would decide to neuter. I don't base my decisions on what is best for the dog population in the US anymore than I base my own medical decisions on what is best for the majority. However, I also never let my dogs out alone. Now there could always be an accident, but in general they are very protected. I base my decisions on what is best for the dogs and our family as a whole with a ton of input from their vet. I think s/n is happening too early now. Pediatric s/n is not my thing. I would not buy from a breeder who did this if they insisted on it before pup came to me. I also think there is some truth to the ortho issues from early sn/n and spay incontinence (happens more if they are spayed too young). The larger the breed, the more inclined I am to hold off awhile. But all that said, I don't think it's an economic decision by most vets.Some even do it close to their cost because they believe it's the right thing to do. They would get just as much money from taking care of puppies or doing emergency spays over pyometra and mammary cancer. |
I've just always thought as a pet owner that this was a procedure done ONLY for the sake of preventing unwanted pregnancy. Am I wrong? My heart BREAKS for all the unwanted animals out there!!!! For this reason, I'm all for it. Is there another reason I should consider in my own household? I'm a very responsible pet owner, so I really need some enlightenment on this subject. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
A female accordingly to one researcher is a bit different from the male. The pros/cons are unclear or at most 50/50 for the females, the males are a much different and clearer story. If you are truly a responsible pet owner, don't let your male dogs roam, keep them on leash when outside,etc then you won't be contributing to the pet over population problem. For males marking is a behaviour, that yes can be trained out of most dogs. My male BRT does not mark in the house, nor does my male Yorkie. It took a lot more training for my male Yorkie than for my BRT. Neither fully intact male is dog aggressive, or for that matter people aggressive. |
I honestly wanted to wait until Belle was over 1 yr to have her spayed because I do not let her outside alone and my shih tzu is already neutered so there was no chance of any "oops" litter. She went into her first heat right at 6 months and unfortunately she had an issue that caused her to stay in heat for almost 2 months and the easiest way to treat it was to spay her since I didn't intend to ever breed her. I had a female schipperke and she was 2 years old when I spayed her (again No puppies for her either) I wouldn't leave a female intact for any longer than 2 or 3 years because I'd be afraid of pyo (had a cat with that issue - $1000 spay surgery and I was so scared she was going to die) I had a beautiful male shep/rottie/lab mix, adopted as a puppy when I worked at the local animal shelter. I was pro early spay/neuter then and he was exactly 5 months old when he was neutered. He ended up just as the link Gemy provided described : narrow skull, very long legs, narrow but deep ribcage, and SEVERE hip dysplasia. He did live to be 14 years old, but I wonder what his life would have been like if I'd waited until he was at least a year old to have him neutered. Oh, wanted to add that Oliver was neutered at just under 6 months and he never lifted his leg until he was about a year old. Now he marks outside when on walks and during the 2 months that Belle was in heat he marked my dining room table legs. |
Another link on this question: http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongT...uterInDogs.pdf |
Spayed Cozy after her 2nd litter. The puppies were huge 6-9 oz. 4 females and 1 male (runt). Her first litter 3 males and 2 females-2 to 3 oz. She had morning sickness her entire 1st pregnancy. No sickness the 2nd time. If she had more pups she may have had to be sectioned. Fist litter took less than 3 hrs start to finish with an 1 1/2 break btw the males and the females. 2nd time is was 16 hrs from 1st runt male puppy to the last female. Cozy was spayed when I spayed Roxy and Zoey at 2. Roxy is too small and Zoey has the wrong personality. She have no maternal instincts. She hid til Cozy's second litter puppies were 6 wks old while Roxy was in the basket with her mother from the first puppies birth on. Roxy is very maternal just too small. I neutered my Golden, Lucky, at 10 because he was miserable when Cozy went through her 1 st heat. He elected to be outside from 7a to 11 p. Cozy slept in my room behind a puppy gate from 11 p to 7 am. She would not leave him alone and he was not interested in her so he hid outside. Lucky never marked, never wondered, and never fathered a litter. He was a perfect gentlemen. |
These articles gave me a lot to question and think about. The general population of pet owners is, for the most part, not as in tune with the health and well-being of their pups like your typical person on this forum, and that is a consideration on this topic. However, as a responsible pet owner who was very aware of my girls' health, you brought to my attention things I will greatly consider in the future. You have always contributed a wealth of knowledge and invaluable advice to Yorkie Talk, and I have always greatly appreciated all that you do for this forum and for me. |
Quote:
|
New study PLOS Golden retriever study suggests neutering affects dog health February 13, 2013 Neutering, and the age at which a dog is neutered, may affect the animal’s risk for developing certain cancers and joint diseases, according to a new study of golden retrievers by a team of researchers at the University of California, Davis. The study, which examined the health records of 759 golden retrievers, found a surprising doubling of hip dysplasia among male dogs neutered before one year of age. This and other results will be published today (Feb. 13) in the online scientific journal PLOS ONE. “The study results indicate that dog owners and service-dog trainers should carefully consider when to have their male or female dogs neutered,” said lead investigator Benjamin Hart, a distinguished professor emeritus in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. “It is important to remember, however, that because different dog breeds have different vulnerabilities to various diseases, the effects of early and late neutering also may vary from breed to breed,” he said. While results of the new study are revealing, Hart said the relationship between neutering and disease-risk remains a complex issue. For example, the increased incidence of joint diseases among early-neutered dogs is likely a combination of the effect of neutering on the young dog’s growth plates as well as the increase in weight on the joints that is commonly seen in neutered dogs. Dog owners in the United States are overwhelmingly choosing to neuter their dogs, in large part to prevent pet overpopulation or avoid unwanted behaviors. In the U.S., surgical neutering — known as spaying in females — is usually done when the dog is less than one year old. In Europe, however, neutering is generally avoided by owners and trainers and not promoted by animal health authorities, Hart said. During the past decade, some studies have indicated that neutering can have several adverse health effects for certain dog breeds. Those studies examined individual diseases using data drawn from one breed or pooled from several breeds. Against that backdrop, Hart and colleagues launched their study, using a single hospital database. The study was designed to examine the effects of neutering on the risks of several diseases in the same breed, distinguishing between males and females and between early or late neutering and non-neutering. The researchers chose to focus on the golden retriever because it is one of the most popular breeds in the U.S. and Europe and is vulnerable to various cancers and joint disorders. The breed also is favored for work as a service dog. The research team reviewed the records of female and male golden retrievers, ranging in age from 1 to 8 years, that had been examined at UC Davis’ William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for two joint disorders and three cancers: hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tear, lymphosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma and mast cell tumor. The dogs were classified as intact (not neutered), neutered early (before 12 months age), or neutered late (at or after 12 months age). Joint disorders and cancers are of particular interest because neutering removes the male dog’s testes and the female’s ovaries, interrupting production of certain hormones that play key roles in important body processes such as closure of bone growth plates, and regulation of the estrous cycle in female dogs. The study revealed that, for all five diseases analyzed, the disease rates were significantly higher in both males and females that were neutered either early or late compared with intact (non-neutered) dogs. Specifically, early neutering was associated with an increase in the occurrence of hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tear and lymphosarcoma in males and of cranial cruciate ligament tear in females. Late neutering was associated with the subsequent occurrence of mast cell tumors and hemangiosarcoma in females. In most areas, the findings of this study were consistent with earlier studies, suggesting similar increases in disease risks. The new study, however, was the first to specifically report an increased risk of late neutering for mast cell tumors and hemangiosarcoma. Furthermore, the new study showed a surprising 100 percent increase, or doubling, of the incidence of hip dysplasia among early-neutered males. Earlier studies had reported a 17 percent increase among all neutered dogs compared to all non-neutered dogs, indicating the importance of the new study in making gender and age-of-neutering comparisons. Other researchers on this UC Davis study were: Gretel Torres de la Riva, Thomas Farver and Lynette Hart, School of Veterinary Medicine; Anita Oberbauer, Department of Animal Science; Locksley Messam, Department of Public Health Sciences; and Neil Willits, Department of Statistics. About UC Davis For more than 100 years, UC Davis has engaged in teaching, research and public service that matter to California and transform the world. Located close to the state capital, UC Davis has more than 33,000 students, more than 2,500 faculty and more than 21,000 staff, an annual research budget of nearly $750 million, a comprehensive health system and 13 specialized research centers. The university offers interdisciplinary graduate study and more than 100 undergraduate majors in four colleges — Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Letters and Science. It also houses six professional schools — Education, Law, Management, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. |
Never having a male dog myself, I'm curious....Are un-neutered males more likely to run away? I've been asked to "share" photos/stories on FB this weekend by 3 people and all 3 are non-neutered male dogs that are lost in the area....so it got me thinking. |
Quote:
If you are going to let your un-leashed dogs, free in an un-fenced yard, I'd guess many could go a-roaming. |
I am not sure when I will neuter my dog. I am going to hold out as long as possible. I just hate the fact that he may mark and having to deal with it for months trying to reach the 1 year mark. At the very least 6-7 months, but I want to make a year if possible. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
How did you train him not to mark? |
Quote:
He would run away all of the time. Whenever the door was open he would BOLT out and it would take us forever to catch him. He challenged other male dogs a lot more, no matter the size of the other dog, and when I would take him in public he was only interested in marking and sniffing female dogs. He also didn't listen very well and was extremely reactive. Two months after having him neutered I noticed a big difference in his behavior. I could leave the door WIDE open and he wouldn't leave the house (with a small amount of training). He did still mark, but not as much and never in the house. He had an interest in playing with other dogs now instead of mating and challenging dogs. He listens to me very well now and is able to focus on me in public. He is still reactive, but not as much. The only negative thing that came from having him neutered was that he gains weight easily now if not regularly exercised. |
Gemy Thank you for the very informative article and reference. It is great that this procedure is being studied seriously and discussed in an open forum. |
Another Article written by Dr Becker By Dr. Becker If you Google the term “benefits of spaying,” you’ll get tens of thousands of results, many of which list protection against mammary neoplasia (breast cancer) as a benefit of early spaying of female dogs. In fact, according to well-known resource Petfinder.com1: Spaying before the first heat virtually eliminates the development of breast cancer later in life for both dogs and cats. (If the surgery is performed when the animal is older, this benefit will be lost.) And the ASPCA2 says this: Females spayed prior to their first estrus cycle have a significantly reduced risk of developing mammary cancer, a common cancer in unspayed females. The chances of developing this cancer increase if a female isn’t spayed until after her second heat cycle, but they still remain lower than the risk for unspayed females. So if your dog has already gone through her first heat cycle, it’s not too late. Spaying her will still reduce her risk of developing cancerous mammary tumors. According to Clinician’s Brief, a majority of veterinarians recommend spaying, and about 16 percent encourage performing the procedure before the first estrus cycle in order to receive the alleged added benefit of protection against mammary tumors. Under the circumstances, it would seem there must be ample scientific evidence that spayed female dogs, and especially those spayed before their first estrus cycle, have less incidence of breast cancer … right? Not So Fast … What Evidence Supports the Link Between Spaying and Reduction in Mammary Tumors? Results of a study published last year in the Journal of Small Animal Practice3 were unable to validate the theory – a theory that is widely assumed to be a fact – that early spaying protects female dogs from mammary neoplasia. The study was a systematic review conducted by members of the Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health Group of the Royal Veterinary College in the U.K. A systematic review is an examination of several studies for the purpose of summing up the best available research on a particular subject. For the study, peer-reviewed analytic journal articles in English were eligible and were assessed for risk of bias by two reviewers independently. The objective of the study was to evaluate the quantity and veracity of evidence that spaying, or the age at which a dog is spayed, has an effect on the risk of mammary tumors. There were over 11,000 search results on the subject, of which 13 were English-language, peer-reviewed reports focused on the link between spaying/age of spay and mammary tumors. Of those 13, nine were deemed to have a high risk of bias, and the remaining four had a moderate risk of bias. (For more information on how bias was assessed and how the researchers screened the results, the full study can be found here.) Of the four moderate-risk-of-bias studies, one found a link between spaying and a reduced risk of mammary tumors, two found no evidence of a link, and one suggested “some protective effect,” but no specific details were offered. The Royal Veterinary College reviewers concluded that: Due to the limited evidence available and the risk of bias in the published results, the evidence that neutering reduces the risk of mammary neoplasia, and the evidence that age at neutering has an effect, are judged to be weak and are not a sound basis for firm recommendations. Simple translation: the idea that spaying, and early spaying of a female dog before her first estrus cycle, removes or reduces her risk of breast cancer is at the present time a theory rather than a fact. The methodology used in the U.K. study was based on Cochrane Review guidelines, which are internationally recognized for their high standards in evidence-based medicine for humans. According to Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, a veterinary oncologist, results of this study highlight the need for quality research in veterinary medicine. Dr. Hohenhaus goes on to say: “Despite lack of evidence found to support early spaying as preventing mammary tumors, veterinarians may continue to recommend it to prevent estrus cycles, unwanted litters, and pyometra. Clinical experience may suggest that early spaying decreases the risk of mammary tumors, but without additional well-designed trials, scientific evidence to support this is lacking.” Spay/Neuter Decisions Should Be Based on Your Pet’s Health and Quality of Life For the record, I’m not advocating leaving female dogs intact indefinitely, nor am I suggesting dogs should not under any circumstances be spayed or neutered at a young age. My goal with regard to pet sterilization is simply to provide information to pet owners about the risks, since there is much information readily available about the benefits. In this case, where early spaying has been widely promoted as a way to prevent mammary tumors in female dogs, in light of the findings of the U.K. systematic review, I feel compelled to let pet owners know there is scarce scientific evidence available to back up that widely held belief. If your dog is not yet spayed or neutered, I can offer some general recommendations for timing of the procedure: Your dog should be old enough to be a balanced individual both physically and mentally. For the majority of dogs, this balance isn't achieved until a dog has reached at least one year of age. Although some breeds reach maturity faster than others, many giant breed dogs are still developing at two years of age. Other considerations include your dog's diet, level of exercise, behavioral habits, previous physical or emotional trauma, existing health concerns, and overall lifestyle. If your pet is emotionally balanced (has no behavior problems) consider investigating a vasectomy or tubal ligation instead. I encourage you to learn all you can about surgical sterilization options and the risks and benefits associated with each procedure. And the link: We’ll Call This Neutering Myth Busted… |
New Post on the subject Determining The Best Age At Which To Spay Or Neuter | AKC Canine Health Foundation Tables from the article above: Tables Table 1. Breeds predisposed to various disorders CONDITION BREEDS PREDISPOSED Mammary neoplasia Boxer, Brittany, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, German Shepherd Dog, Maltese, Miniature Poodle, Pointer, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier Transitional cell carcinoma Airedale Terrier, Beagle, Collie, Scottish Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog, West Highland White Terrier, and Wire Fox Terrier Osteosarcoma Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard Hemangiosarcoma Boxer, English Setter, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Labrador Retriever, Pointer, Poodle, Siberian Husky Hip dysplasia Chesapeake Bay Retriever, English Setter, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Samoyed, Saint Bernard Cranial cruciate ligament injury Akita, American Staffordshire Terrier, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Poodle, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard Obesity Beagle, Cairn Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Labrador Retriever Urinary incontinence Boxer, Doberman Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Irish Setter, Old English Sheepdog, Rottweiler, Springer Spaniel, Weimeraner Pyometra Bernese Mountain Dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Collie, English Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard Diabetes mellitus Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Pug, Samoyed, Toy Poodle Hypothyroidism Airedale Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Doberman Pinscher, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Miniature Schnauzer, Pomeranian, Shetland Sheepdog Table 2. Conditions associated with ovariohysterectomy (spay) CONDITION INCIDENCE Mammary neoplasiaHEALTH SIGNIFICANCE INCREASED OR DECREASED WITH GONADECTOMY High Ovarian and uterine neoplasiaHigh Decreased Low PyometraLow Decreased High Transitional cell carcinomaHigh Decreased Low OsteosarcomaHigh Increased Low HemangiosarcomaHigh Increased Low CCL injuryHigh Increased High ObesityHigh Increased High Urinary incontinenceModerate Increased High Diabetes mellitusLow Increased High HypothyroidismLow Increased High Low Increased Table 3. Conditions associated with castration CONDITION INCIDENCE Testicular neoplasiaHEALTH SIGNIFICANCE INCREASED OR DECREASED WITH GONADECTOMY High Benign prostatic hypertrophyLow Decreased High Prostatic neoplasiaLow Decreased Low Transitional cell carcinomaHigh Increased Low OsteosarcomaHigh Increased Low HemangiosarcomaHigh Increased Low CCL injuryHigh Increased High ObesityHigh Increased High Diabetes mellitusModerate Increased High HypothyroidismLow Increased High - See more at: Determining The Best Age At Which To Spay Or Neuter | AKC Canine Health FoundationLow Increased |
New Link to an older article Tables Determining The Best Age At Which To Spay Or Neuter | AKC Canine Health Foundation This article is based on rather dated research approx. 10yrs old. What is very interesting are the tables they provide at the bottom of the article. Showing breed pre disposition to certain health conditions and by health conditions those that are increased from either the spay or neuter or those that are decreased from the spay or neuter. I copied what this researcher overall "conclusions were" from the above link onto this post: Conclusion So how do you reconcile all this information in helping make decisions for individual animals? Considerations must include evaluation of incidence of various disorders, breed predisposition, and health significance of the various disorders (Table 2 and Table 3). For female dogs, the high incidence and high percentage of malignancy of mammary neoplasia, and the significant effect of spaying on decreasing its incidence make ovariohysterectomy prior to the first heat the best recommendation for non-breeding animals. The demonstrated increased incidence of urinary incontinence in bitches spayed before 3 months of age and possible effect of CCL injury in bitches spayed before 6 months of age suggest that spaying bitches after 6 months of age but before their first heat is most beneficial. For bitches of breeds predisposed by ovariohysterectomy to highly malignant tumors and for breeding animals, spaying at a later age may be more beneficial. For male dogs, castration decreases incidence of disorders with little health significance and may increase incidence of disorders of much greater health significance. For non-breeding animals, evaluation of breed and subsequent predispositions to disorders by gonadectomy should guide when and if castration is recommended. As dog breeders, you are a source of information for people seeking a dog for companionship, to show or work as a hobby, or to grow up with their children. As veterinarians, we are one of the guardians of safety and good health for all animals in our society. It behooves all of us to thoughtfully consider why we recommend spay or castration for dogs, to ensure we are not putting our own convenience above their good health. For every individual bitch or dog, careful consideration of their breed, age, lifestyle, and suitability as a breeding animal must be a part of the decision as to when or if they should undergo gonadectomy. - See more at: Determining The Best Age At Which To Spay Or Neuter | AKC Canine Health Foundation Please note what I have highlighted in red. More research is very necessary specifically breed specific research. Some of course has been done but not nearly enough. |
New Link Pet spay-neuter studies spotlight health risks, benefits - VIN Also refers to the GR study plus a Univ of Georgia Study |
Updated Dr Chris Zinc article. |
Very interesting articles!! There's always a flip side to everything. I still think, in most situations, I'd rather see dogs spayed/neutered. It may, however, be better for owners to hold off until the dog is a little older. |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:53 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use