Leema Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 I have looked through past posts, and found some links to research about desexing in dogs. I am looking for any more research papers that talk about the pros/cons of desexing. I am wanting to write a summary of available evidence, so your contributions would be much appreciated. For interest, these are the three studies I have read extensively so far: Study by Laura Sanborn 2007 – “Long-Term Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay/Neuter in Dogs” http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/longtermhealtheffectsofspayneuterindogs.pdf Study by Uniquest 2008 – ‘Report on the validity and usefulness of early aged desexing in dogs and cats’ http://www.uq.edu.au/ccah/docs/15309finalreport.pdf Duffy & Serpell - ‘Non-reproductive effects of spaying and neutering on behavior in dogs’ http://www.cdoca.org/downloads/files/Early%20SN%20and%20Behavior.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyrottie Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 thank you so much for this useful information! i'm so glad i listened to my breeder when she said do not neuter my puppy at 6 months (like vets say so) wait till he's at least 15-18 months mostly due to the increased risk of bone cancer and i strongly believe that because almost every single person i've spoken to that has owned a rottie they've died from some form of cancer and i guarantee that those dogs were neutered too early. i think people should do more research before jumping on what the vet says straight away because we all know they want their money there and now! funny that they never mention the negatives about desexing early, ain't it? i'm definately wary of vets now after one of my previous vets was pushing me into having my puppy operated on because she noticed "this and that" with his wrist along with a lot of other things where-as my current vet said that he doesn't see a problem at all with it and he should be fine! so if i was naive and listened to all the crap that comes out of every vets mouth, i would've ruined my puppy and would've been left with a huge and unecessary vet bill. so please everyone, do your research before jumping to any sort of conclusion and if there's ever a doubt in your mind about something get different opinions from a few vets, other people with dogs, suss the internet etc. but most importantly ask your breeder first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dju Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I was just wondering, is a vasectomy different from desexing? From what I know, there are a lot of disadvantages to desexing male dogs and I was wondering whether getting Hugo a vasectomy would negate those disadvantages? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyrottie Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I was just wondering, is a vasectomy different from desexing? From what I know, there are a lot of disadvantages to desexing male dogs and I was wondering whether getting Hugo a vasectomy would negate those disadvantages? i can't find any pros and cons on the internet about it but there's a thread on here you could have a look at! http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/16699-castration-vs-vasectomy/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dju Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Not much info in that thread, just bickering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 dju I don't think there's much advantage to having them entire once they've done their growing? unless of course you want puppies, the entire ones are at an advantage in that department Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyrottie Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Not much info in that thread, just bickering my bad, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dju Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 dju I don't think there's much advantage to having them entire once they've done their growing? unless of course you want puppies, the entire ones are at an advantage in that department On the positive side, neutering male dogs • eliminates the small risk (probably <1%) of dying from testicular cancer • reduces the risk of non-cancerous prostate disorders • reduces the risk of perianal fistulas • may possibly reduce the risk of diabetes (data inconclusive) On the negative side, neutering male dogs • if done before 1 year of age, significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer); this is a common cancer in medium/large and larger breeds with a poor prognosis. • increases the risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 1.6 • triples the risk of hypothyroidism • increases the risk of progressive geriatric cognitive impairment • triples the risk of obesity, a common health problem in dogs with many associated health problems • quadruples the small risk (<0.6%) of prostate cancer • doubles the small risk (<1%) of urinary tract cancers • increases the risk of orthopedic disorders • increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations This is the advantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 dju I don't think there's much advantage to having them entire once they've done their growing? unless of course you want puppies, the entire ones are at an advantage in that department On the positive side, neutering male dogs • eliminates the small risk (probably <1%) of dying from testicular cancer • reduces the risk of non-cancerous prostate disorders • reduces the risk of perianal fistulas • may possibly reduce the risk of diabetes (data inconclusive) On the negative side, neutering male dogs • if done before 1 year of age, significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer); this is a common cancer in medium/large and larger breeds with a poor prognosis. • increases the risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 1.6 • triples the risk of hypothyroidism • increases the risk of progressive geriatric cognitive impairment • triples the risk of obesity, a common health problem in dogs with many associated health problems • quadruples the small risk (<0.6%) of prostate cancer • doubles the small risk (<1%) of urinary tract cancers • increases the risk of orthopedic disorders • increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations This is the advantage. lol yes but desxed dogs actually have a longer life-expectancy than entire dogs and alot of the increased incidence of the diseases you have listed could be down to this fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andisa Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 thank you so much for this useful information! i'm so glad i listened to my breeder when she said do not neuter my puppy at 6 months (like vets say so) wait till he's at least 15-18 months mostly due to the increased risk of bone cancer and i strongly believe that because almost every single person i've spoken to that has owned a rottie they've died from some form of cancer and i guarantee that those dogs were neutered too early. i think people should do more research before jumping on what the vet says straight away because we all know they want their money there and now! funny that they never mention the negatives about desexing early, ain't it? i'm definately wary of vets now after one of my previous vets was pushing me into having my puppy operated on because she noticed "this and that" with his wrist along with a lot of other things where-as my current vet said that he doesn't see a problem at all with it and he should be fine! so if i was naive and listened to all the crap that comes out of every vets mouth, i would've ruined my puppy and would've been left with a huge and unecessary vet bill. so please everyone, do your research before jumping to any sort of conclusion and if there's ever a doubt in your mind about something get different opinions from a few vets, other people with dogs, suss the internet etc. but most importantly ask your breeder first! While cancer is high in Rottweilers I can assure you that LOTS of entire Rottweilers have died from cancer - NOT just desexed Rottweilers. I agree with your breeder about waiting until the dogs have matured before desexing. Always best to get another opinion before agreeing to any type of surgery - after having personal run ins with a few vets who are very fast to suggest surgery, I would never rush in to any surgery (except for em c sections) unless I had specialist opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belljari Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 thank you so much for this useful information! i'm so glad i listened to my breeder when she said do not neuter my puppy at 6 months (like vets say so) wait till he's at least 15-18 months mostly due to the increased risk of bone cancer and i strongly believe that because almost every single person i've spoken to that has owned a rottie they've died from some form of cancer and i guarantee that those dogs were neutered too early. i think people should do more research before jumping on what the vet says straight away because we all know they want their money there and now! funny that they never mention the negatives about desexing early, ain't it? i'm definately wary of vets now after one of my previous vets was pushing me into having my puppy operated on because she noticed "this and that" with his wrist along with a lot of other things where-as my current vet said that he doesn't see a problem at all with it and he should be fine! so if i was naive and listened to all the crap that comes out of every vets mouth, i would've ruined my puppy and would've been left with a huge and unecessary vet bill. so please everyone, do your research before jumping to any sort of conclusion and if there's ever a doubt in your mind about something get different opinions from a few vets, other people with dogs, suss the internet etc. but most importantly ask your breeder first! While cancer is high in Rottweilers I can assure you that LOTS of entire Rottweilers have died from cancer - NOT just desexed Rottweilers. I agree with your breeder about waiting until the dogs have matured before desexing. Always best to get another opinion before agreeing to any type of surgery - after having personal run ins with a few vets who are very fast to suggest surgery, I would never rush in to any surgery (except for em c sections) unless I had specialist opinions. I agree with Andisa that entire Rottweilers die from cancer all forms not just desexed Rottweilers having 8 of my 9 Rotts dying from it. I wish it was that easy. The same with any surgery I would go to a specialist before doing anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyrottie Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 belljari, that's so sad about your rotties and so many of them! hope my boy never gets it, it's quite scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dju Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 lol yes but desxed dogs actually have a longer life-expectancy than entire dogs and alot of the increased incidence of the diseases you have listed could be down to this fact. Sorry, but what research do you have to back up that statement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andisa Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 (edited) lol yes but desxed dogs actually have a longer life-expectancy than entire dogs and alot of the increased incidence of the diseases you have listed could be down to this fact. Almost all the dogs we had when growing up were entire and the majority of them were well in to their late teens and some were early 20's when they were pts or died - personally I think more health issues have come through processed foods, yearly vaccinations and monthly chemical flea/worm treatments than desexing - regardless of the age they are done. Edited October 10, 2011 by Andisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leema Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 I appreciate the replies that serve to bump this thread up ( ), but I am more interested in research studies than anecdotal evidence, please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 (edited) lol yes but desxed dogs actually have a longer life-expectancy than entire dogs and alot of the increased incidence of the diseases you have listed could be down to this fact. Sorry, but what research do you have to back up that statement? Reichler. I. M. (2009). Gondaectomy in cats and dogs: A review of the risks and benefits. Reproduction Domestic Animals, 44, 29-35 Edited October 11, 2011 by raineth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leema Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 Thank-you for the study suggestion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris the Rebel Wolf Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I too am interested to read about any studies about the pros and cons of desexing/desexing early. Sorry I didn't have anything to recommend to you Leema, many of the large dog breeders I have contacted feel waiting for maturity before desexing is the way to go, but I have yet to come across a great deal of scientific study on the topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trifecta Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Not sure if anyone has mentioned this article yet, this is the one I am most familiar with & recommend Early Spay / Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete by Chris Zink This is also worth a read too Agility Ability Growth Plates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leema Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 (edited) Thank-you for the additional links. I am preparing to present a report summarising all the data. Here's a couple more that I've found: A different perspective - A Report from the Netherlands - Sylvana Wenderhold http://www.deathrowpets.net/PDFs/Update_5/A%20Different%20Perspective.pdf Gonadectomy in cats and dogs: a review of risks and benefits - IM Reichler http://www.zora.uzh.ch/25291/1/Surgical.pdf Edited October 11, 2011 by Leema Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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