Everyone loves their pets and wants to do what’s best for them, so it’s no wonder the topic of when to spay/neuter dogs has been a hot topic since a new study was published in Frontiers in Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). The study adds five more popular dog breeds to a growing body of research that suggests early neutering may increase the risk of joint disease and certain cancers.
Initially, the study sparked a fierce debate about the optimal age to spay or neuter dogs. This is understandable, as considering alternatives to the status quo paradigm can be complicated for some. Regardless, the researchers set out to look at more than a decade of data on thousands of dogs, add more breed studies, and provide more information to help owners make the best choices for their beloved pets.
In this study, the researchers specifically looked for correlations between spaying or neutering dogs before they turned one year old and the risk of developing certain cancers, including bone, blood vessel, lymph node and mast cell tumors. They also looked for correlations between joint diseases, such as elbow and hip dysplasia, and anterior cruciate ligament rupture.
In dogs, joint disorders and cancer are of particular interest because these surgeries remove female and male hormones that play a key role in vital bodily processes, such as the closure of bone growth plates.
Researchers collected data from records at the University of California, Davis Veterinary Hospital, including more than 200 cases of five breeds of dogs weighing 44 pounds or more from January 2000 to December 2020. The five popular breeds focused on in the study were Siberian Husky, Newfoundland, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Mastiff and German Shorthaired/Wirehaired Pointer.
“This is a move from the long-standing practice of early spay/neuter in the US and many European countries to a model of neutering by six months of age, but it is important to consider because early spay/neuter has been linked to reduced gonadal hormones and potential health problems,” said Professor Lynette Hart, from the School of Veterinary Medicine and one of the study’s lead authors.
“We are committed to contributing to the relationships between people and their animals,” said Professor Emeritus and co-lead author Benjamin Hart. “These guidelines provide information and options that veterinarians can offer to owners, who should have the final say over the health and well-being of their pets.”
The researchers found significant differences between breeds when it came to developing cancer and joint problems if these surgeries were performed at a young age.
The analysis found increased cranial cruciate ligament rupture and lymphoma in male mastiffs, and increased joint disease and cancer in male and female pointers. Very early castration increased the risk of mast cell tumors in female ridgebacks and increased the risk of joint disease in female Newfoundlands, but no significant effect on joint disease or cancer was seen in Siberian huskies.
According to the researchers, the updated guidelines emphasise the importance of personalising important decisions, taking into account not only the dog’s breed but also its sex and situation.
Below you can find a table showing the updated recommended age guidelines for all 40 dog breeds. click hereThe 40 dogs in the study ranged in size from small dogs like Chihuahuas to large dogs like Great Danes.
