Early Neutered Dogs are at Increased Risk of Disease
Very early neutering increases the risk of disease in dogs. A study of shelter dogs conducted by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University concluded that infectious diseases were more common in dogs that were sterilised at less than 24 weeks of age.
Clubs Offering:
|
Bans at doggie daycare, disapproval at the dog park: the United States public is not fond of dogs that still have their reproductive organs. Spay-neuter — the veterinary surgical practice of removing a dog’s ovaries or testes — is the norm for most U.S. dogs. It’s estimated that 80 percent of U.S. dogs are spayed (in the case of females) or neutered (males), and leaving your dog intact might get you branded an irresponsible dog owner. In fact, many states require all dogs that pass through shelters be spayed or neutered before they’re rescued, often at just a few months old.
Yet a growing body of research suggests that spaying and neutering dogs, especially young dogs, can increase their chances of developing some serious conditions.
A previous study conducted by the UC Davis researchers found health risks based on neuter age varied greatly depending on the breed of the dog.
Heavier mixed-breed dogs have higher health risks if neutered or spayed early, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis. The study found mixed-breed dogs weighing more than 44 pounds as adults are at higher risk for one or more joint disorders if neutered before 1 year of age. Dogs weighing up to 43 pounds had no increased risk for joint problems. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Researchers examined common joint disorders including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament tears, a knee injury, in five weight categories. They also looked at risks of mixed-breed dogs developing cancers based on weight but found no increased risk in any weight category compared to intact dogs.
“The study raises unique challenges,” noted co-author Lynette Hart, professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. “People like to adopt puppies from shelters, but with mixed breeds it may be difficult to determine just how big the dog will become if you don’t know anything about the dog’s parents.”
“Most dogs are mixed breeds,” said lead author Benjamin Hart, distinguished professor emeritus at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. “We hope this study will influence the spay or neuter process in order to give people wishing to adopt a puppy the time to make an informed decision on when to spay or neuter.”
What happens if you neuter a dog too early?
Bans at doggie daycare, disapproval at the dog park: the United States public is not fond of dogs that still have their reproductive organs. Spay-neuter — the veterinary surgical practice of removing a dog’s ovaries or testes — is the norm for most U.S. dogs. It’s estimated that 80 percent of U.S. dogs are spayed (in the case of females) or neutered (males), and leaving your dog intact might get you branded an irresponsible dog owner. In fact, many states require all dogs that pass through shelters be spayed or neutered before they’re rescued, often at just a few months old.
Yet a growing body of research suggests that spaying and neutering dogs, especially young dogs, can increase their chances of developing some serious conditions.