Spay/Neuter Information

[Caramomo]

This has come up in a few threads recently so I thought I's make up a sticky with all my links/research sources on the risks associated with spaying & neutering versus leaving dogs entire. It's a combination of scientific papers, forum discussions and web articles but a nice mix of information in the hope people can make an informed decision. If you have any trouble reading these links let me know and I'll see if I can help. If you have any other research please add it to the thread for others to use.


http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTerm ... InDogs.pdf
Long-Term Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay / Neuter in Dogs
Laura J. Sanborn, M.S.
May 14, 2007

http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/pdf/10 ... 31.11.1665
Determining the optimal age for gonadectomy of dogs and cats,
Margaret V. Root Kustritz, dvm, phd, dact

http://www.savethedals.org/earlyneuter.htm
Veterinary "Review" Article on Neutering, with Implications for Dalmatian Stone-Formers Abstracted by Carroll H. Weiss
Study Group on Urinary Stones
Research Committee
Dalmatian Club of America

http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclu ... neutr.html
NEUTERING MALE AND FEMALE DOGS
Mary C. Wakeman, D.V.M.
©2003 for BREEDERVET

http://www.littleriverlabs.com/neuter.htm
The Question Of Neutering and at what age
(Put together by Gregg Tonkin, Little River Labradors from postings by Pam Davol PHD and Chris Zink DVM, PhD, DACVP)

http://leerburg.com/pdf/neutering.pdf
Should You Neuter Your Dog?
Ed Frawley, Leerburg Kennels * words are l e e r b u r g.com and L e e r b u r g Kennels

http://www.traciehotchner.com/dt/files/ ... alobos.pdf
The Bond and Beyond for VPN December 2008
by Alice Villalobos
Will We Change on Early Spay-Neuter?

http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclu ... ndogs.html
ISSUES REGARDING CASTRATION IN DOGS
Mary C. Wakeman, D.V.M.
©2003 for BREEDERVET

http://www.petresource.com/Articles%20o ... tering.htm
New Views On Neutering
By Ruth Marrion, DVM

http://www.acc-d.org/2006%20Symposium%2 ... on%20I.pdf
Non-reproductive Effects of Spaying and Neutering
Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Non-Surgical
Contraceptive Methods for Pet Population Control * http://www.acc-d.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
SESSION OVERVIEW - Dr. John Verstegen

http://www.peptech.com/HTML/Animal_Heal ... neral.html
A non-surgical method to suppress testosterone

http://prdupl02.ynet.co.il/ForumFiles_2/23999370.pdf
Pros and Cons of Neutering
E. Hardie
Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.

http://www.doglistener.co.uk/neutering/rspca.shtml
RSPCA Admit to Spaying and Castrating Puppies AT SIX WEEKS OLD
Stan Rawlinson MTCBPT.MPAACT
Doglistener Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer

http://users.lavalink.com.au/theos/Spay-neuter.htm#vacc
Should I spay or should I no..? -- pros and cons of Spay-neuter
Hungarian Vizsla Health Resource

http://www.doglistener.co.uk/neutering/ ... ring.shtml
Spaying and Castration (Neutering) Dogs and Cats A Stark Warning
Stan Rawlinson, a full time Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer.

http://www.wholedognews.com/
Spay, Neuter, and Cancer: Revisiting and Old Trinity
Myrna Milani, BS, DVM

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html
Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete One Veterinarian's Opinion
© 2005 Chris Zink DVM, PhD, DACVP

http://www.columbusdogconnection.com/Do ... tal%20.pdf
Rebuttal to "Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete"
Lisa M Howe, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS Associate Professor, Small Animal Surgery Co-Chief
Surgical Sciences Sect Dept of Vet Small Animal Clinical Sci
College of Vet Med and Biom Sciences Texas A&M Univ College Station TX 77843

http://www.pluggd.tv/audio/channels/dog ... odes/4njnh
Dog Talk Show #96 Tracie Hotchner (10-18-2008)
Early spay/neuter may be harming our dogs! Hear Dr. Christine Zink, DVM, PhD, DAVCP on the physical benefits of delaying neutering and trainer Parvene Farhoody on how it can reduce aggression.

http://www.antrozoologisenteret.no/arti ... _breed.pdf
Effects of breed, sex, and neuter status on trainability in dogs
James A. Serpell* and Yuying Hsu+

http://users.skynet.be/fa242124/a-engli ... -dogs.html
Gonadectomy and behavior
Dr Joël Dehasse

http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage ... Review.pdf
Temperament and personality in dogs (Canis familiaris): A review and evaluation of past research
Amanda C. Jones *, Samuel D. Gosling

http://www.skeptvet.com/index.php?p=1_2 ... -Neutering
Evaluating the Benefits and Risks of Neutering
The SkeptVet - the owner of this blog is not identified but the articles referenced are searchable.

http://www.petfinder.com/for-shelters/p ... euter.html
Pediatric Spay/Neuter
Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA

http://k9harmony.co.uk/spaying-and-castration/
Spaying and Castration - What Your Vet and the Rescue Centres May Not Tell You
Pauline Waller, member #178 Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers, - articles referenced and searchable

http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin ... pid1123732
To Castrate or Not? - Interesting discussion regarding a young male targeted by an aggressive older male.

http://www.cdoca.org/downloads/files/Ea ... havior.pdf
Non-reproductive Effects of Spaying and Neutering on Behavior in Dogs
Deborah L. Duffy, Ph.D., and James A. Serpell, Ph.D., Center for the Interaction of
Animals and Society, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

http://www.2ndchance.info/spayneuter.htm
At What Age Should I Spay or Neuter My Dog or Cat?
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Neutering My Pet?
Revisiting The Idea Of Early-Age Neutering
Ron Hines DVM PhD 10/05/09

http://saveourdogs.net/category/health/
Articles and links to Veterinary organizations opposing mandatory spay/neuter

http://askdryin.com/blog/tag/dog-behavi ... ay-neuter/
Can Spaying Make Dog Behaviour Worse?
Sophia Yin, DVM, MS March 5, 2009

http://www.associationofanimalbehaviorp ... tering.html
The Effects of Spaying and Neutering on Canine Behaviour
James O'Heare, Based on section from Aggressive Behavior in Dogs, 2006,

http://www.petfriendlyworld.com/chatfor ... hp?t=23096
The Behavioural Effects of Canine Castration
Hazel Palmer, 1993 See post #8 in the chat forum at Pet Friendly World.

http://www.cdoca.org/downloads/files/Ea ... havior.pdf
Does Spaying and Neutering Reduce Aggression?
Dr. Polley DVM, 2001 American Dog Breeders Association

http://www.gpmcf.org/respectovaries.html
A Healthier Respect for Ovaries (in dogs)
David J. Waters, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS
Director, Center for Exceptional Longevity Studies
Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation

http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2009b/0912 ... earch.html
Message for women and dogs: keeping ovaries is linked to longevity
To the Purdue Research Park, http://www.purdueresearchpark.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.rockllewellinsetters.com/Ova ... ec2009.pdf
Exploring mechanisms of sex differences in longevity: lifetime ovary exposure and exceptional longevity in dogs
David J. Waters,1,2 Seema S. Kengeri,1 Beth Clever,1 Julie A. Booth,1 Aimee H. Maras,1 Deborah L.
Schlittler1 and Michael G. Hayek3
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/may09/090515j.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
AVMA: Mandatory spay/neuter a bad idea
Javma News, May 15, 2009

http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advi ... ering.html
Veterinary Advice Online: Male Dog Neutering

http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advi ... aying.html
Veterinary advice Online: Dog Spaying (Spaying a Female Dog)
Dr. Shauna O'Meara Pet Informed: http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advi ... index.html

http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/ ... 7/abstract
Breed differences in canine aggression 1, Dec. 2008
Deborah L. Duffy, Yuying Hsub, James A. Serpella

http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/11/11/1434.full
Endogenous Gonadal Hormone Exposure and Bone Sarcoma Risk
Dawn M. Cooley, Benjamin C. Beranek, Deborah L. Schlittler, Nita W. Glickman, Lawrence T. Glickman, and David J. Waters

[Tulip]

You're an absoloute star Elaine!

[wazzockmum]

Hells teeth! That is a lot of reading....

so for those of you who have read it...

would you wouldn't you?

[Caramomo]

I've read most of it and now won't recommend to someone whether they should or should not have it done as there are several conclusions you can draw from the research but one thing I will say is don't do it before the growth plates have closed over as they all seem to agree that neutering before maturity can be detrimental to the health and behaviour of the dog.

Personally I won't sterilise unless there is a valid and known reason that would directly affect the dogs well-being, pyometra and phantom seasons for example.

[dannie_kl]

before pyometra i wouldnt have spayed or neutered anything, post pyo Anything not being shown or bred from will be spayed/neutered to a)limit the risk of health problems, b) having both males and females reduce the risk of stress and upset to either party when in season but no longer being mated.

Also I wont let any of my dogs, male or female be rehomed entire, I want to be sure that if a dog or bitch has not made the grade or has been retired that they stay retired or less than suitable dogs are not contributing to a gene pool.

[Mari Obi and Fingal]

Excellent info, thank you for sharing!!
(Love your new avatar as well! Who drawn it?)

[JennysMum]

Wonderful post it took a lot of reading and deciding when was best to get Jenny done but as her phantoms were just getting worse every season (coming into full blown milk on most teats on her second ) it was best for her in the long run. Would not have had her done young though she is 18 months now and has grown into herself nicely.

[dannie_kl]

we have a 7 month old L/doodle coming into the shop today for a haircut before being spayed next week. this dog is going to be similar size to a labrador and is currently about springer size, wonderfully trained but still a puppy in its head, body and even i looks. she has not had a season yet and the vet has advised her to be spayed immediately or else she could die with cancer-these scare tactics force people in to making hasty decisions that are not thought through because no time has been allowed for the owners to do any of their own reading!

[JennysMum]

That is such a shame Dannie - Jenny is so much more the rounded dog she should be having been allowed to grow up before we had to get her done. Beth can testify the 6month old version was oh so very different lol glad she grew out of all the faff and then go done she is just the perfect companion now

[Tulip]

The 6 month old Jenny was very high-strung, the later edition is far calmer!

[tombaker]

we have a 7 month old L/doodle coming into the shop today for a haircut before being spayed next week. this dog is going to be similar size to a labrador and is currently about springer size, wonderfully trained but still a puppy in its head, body and even i looks. she has not had a season yet and the vet has advised her to be spayed immediately or else she could die with cancer-these scare tactics force people in to making hasty decisions that are not thought through because no time has been allowed for the owners to do any of their own reading!

I know somebody whose first season was split and the vets suggested spaying almost immediately. All the doggy people around her though were very much against it and suggested waiting to see what her second was like before going ahead with anything but the vets scare tactics meant she was booked in for the op a week later!

[dannie_kl]

the thing is its not like breeders etc are saying NEVER get the animal spayed or neutered we are just saying wait til the dog is fully grown, why do vets find it so wrong and so hard to do?

[mummysnoo]

Every dog and every owner wants their dog/s spayed or neutered for different reasons, I have gone along with the "old cliche" if it isn't broken it doesn't need fixed, but that was my decision for right or wrong and so far I'm on my fourth males dog and so far I have never had a problem, but that's me.

Others on the other hand could have problems and that's up to the individual to try and solve the problem the best way they can, but after making that decision reading about it and waiting a further few months until the dog is mature enough, won't matter here nor there, and will probably make you feel better about your decision. Unless for medical reasons you have to have it done straight away. Castration doesn't magic away, bad habits or inherent faults.

[BBG]

Picked this up from facebook and thought it was interesting from the National Institute of Canine Experts


http://niceorg.wordpress.com/2009/02/04 ... es-cancer/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[stevenlisa]

We are always of the mind 'if it aint broke, dont fix it', we let no knives near any of our dogs, unless it is essential. Have kept dogs all my life and have never had any other reason than to follow that mind set, we leave it to mother nature.