New study on Neutering/Spaying
Assisting Decision-Making on Age of Neutering for 35 Breeds of Dogs: Associated Joint Disorders, Cancers, and Urinary Incontinence I found this study to be very interesting. Back in the day, it wa...
Forum Discussion
While this information is interesting, please consider:
This is a retrospective study and can find a statistical association. It cannot conclude causation, that requires a different kind of study (more like the life-time Golden Retriever study now in progress).
Also, the population studied was the group of animals presented to UC-Davis veterinary school. This population probably doesn't represent the whole population of dogs, or even the population that would be presented to a local veterinary hospital (not a specialty or referral hospital).
As far as the joint issues associated, is the cause the greater weight gain that occurs in a neutered individual, or the more rapid growth and since it seems to be breed related, is there some genetic component not just the fact of being neutered???
In real practice (not specialty or referral) the number 1 cancer in un-neutered females is mammary cancer. It is basically non-existent in spayed females when the surgery is performed early in life.
The association with mast cell tumor, hemangiosarcoma and to a lesser degree lymphosarcoma are troubling. Consider the incidence of these when compared to the issues that are increased in intact individuals.
When making these decisions you can't just say "she has less chance of XXX" without considering the increased chance of "YYY." There are real benefits to neutering, both physical and behavioral.
This is a retrospective study and can find a statistical association. It cannot conclude causation, that requires a different kind of study (more like the life-time Golden Retriever study now in progress).
Also, the population studied was the group of animals presented to UC-Davis veterinary school. This population probably doesn't represent the whole population of dogs, or even the population that would be presented to a local veterinary hospital (not a specialty or referral hospital).
As far as the joint issues associated, is the cause the greater weight gain that occurs in a neutered individual, or the more rapid growth and since it seems to be breed related, is there some genetic component not just the fact of being neutered???
In real practice (not specialty or referral) the number 1 cancer in un-neutered females is mammary cancer. It is basically non-existent in spayed females when the surgery is performed early in life.
The association with mast cell tumor, hemangiosarcoma and to a lesser degree lymphosarcoma are troubling. Consider the incidence of these when compared to the issues that are increased in intact individuals.
When making these decisions you can't just say "she has less chance of XXX" without considering the increased chance of "YYY." There are real benefits to neutering, both physical and behavioral.
