"The study revealed that, for all five diseases analyzed, the disease rates were
significantly higher in both males and females that were neutered either early
or late compared with intact (non-neutered) dogs."
University of California, Davis
February 13, 2013
GOLDEN RETRIEVER STUDY SUGGESTS NEUTERING AFFECTS DOG HEALTH
Neutering, and the age at which a dog is neutered, may affect the animal's risk
for developing certain cancers and joint diseases, according to a new study of
golden retrievers by a team of researchers at the University of California,
Davis.
The study, which examined the health records of 759 golden retrievers, found a
surprising doubling of hip dysplasia among male dogs neutered before one year of
age. This and other results will be published today (Feb. 13) in the online
scientific journal PLOS ONE at http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0055937
"The study results indicate that dog owners and service-dog trainers should
carefully consider when to have their male or female dogs neutered," said lead
investigator Benjamin Hart, a distinguished professor emeritus in the UC Davis
School of Veterinary Medicine.
"It is important to remember, however, that because different dog breeds have
different vulnerabilities to various diseases, the effects of early and late
neutering also may vary from breed to breed," he said.
While results of the new study are revealing, Hart said the relationship between
neutering and disease-risk remains a complex issue. For example, the increased
incidence of joint diseases among early-neutered dogs is likely a combination of
the effect of neutering on the young dog's growth plates as well as the increase
in weight on the joints that is commonly seen in neutered dogs.
Dog owners in the United States are overwhelmingly choosing to neuter their
dogs, in large part to prevent pet overpopulation or avoid unwanted behaviors.
In the U.S., surgical neutering -- known as spaying in females -- is usually
done when the dog is less than one year old.
In Europe, however, neutering is generally avoided by owners and trainers and
not promoted by animal health authorities, Hart said.
During the past decade, some studies have indicated that neutering can have
several adverse health effects for certain dog breeds. Those studies examined
individual diseases using data drawn from one breed or pooled from several
breeds.
Against that backdrop, Hart and colleagues launched their study, using a single
hospital database. The study was designed to examine the effects of neutering on
the risks of several diseases in the same breed, distinguishing between males
and females and between early or late neutering and non-neutering.
The researchers chose to focus on the golden retriever because it is one of the
most popular breeds in the U.S. and Europe and is vulnerable to various cancers
and joint disorders. The breed also is favored for work as a service dog.
The research team reviewed the records of female and male golden retrievers,
ranging in age from 1 to 8 years, that had been examined at UC Davis' William R.
Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for two joint disorders and three
cancers: hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tear, lymphosarcoma,
hemangiosarcoma and mast cell tumor. The dogs were classified as intact (not
neutered), neutered early (before 12 months age), or neutered late (at or after
12 months age).
Joint disorders and cancers are of particular interest because neutering removes
the male dog's testes and the female's ovaries, interrupting production of
certain hormones that play key roles in important body processes such as closure
of bone growth plates, and regulation of the estrous cycle in female dogs.
The study revealed that, for all five diseases analyzed, the disease rates were
significantly higher in both males and females that were neutered either early
or late compared with intact (non-neutered) dogs.
Specifically, early neutering was associated with an increase in the occurrence
of hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tear and lymphosarcoma in males and
of cranial cruciate ligament tear in females. Late neutering was associated with
the subsequent occurrence of mast cell tumors and hemangiosarcoma in females.
In most areas, the findings of this study were consistent with earlier studies,
suggesting similar increases in disease risks. The new study, however, was the
first to specifically report an increased risk of late neutering for mast cell
tumors and hemangiosarcoma.
Furthermore, the new study showed a surprising 100 percent increase, or
doubling, of the incidence of hip dysplasia among early-neutered males. Earlier
studies had reported a 17 percent increase among all neutered dogs compared to
all non-neutered dogs, indicating the importance of the new study in making
gender and age-of-neutering comparisons.
Other researchers on this UC Davis study were: Gretel Torres de la Riva, Thomas
Farver and Lynette Hart, School of Veterinary Medicine; Anita Oberbauer,
Department of Animal Science; Locksley Messam, Department of Public Health
Sciences; and Neil Willits, Department of Statistics.
About UC Davis
For more than 100 years, UC Davis has engaged in teaching, research and public
service that matter to California and transform the world.
Located close to the state capital, UC Davis has more than 33,000 students, more
than 2,500 faculty and more than 21,000 staff, an annual research budget of
nearly $750 million, a comprehensive health system and 13 specialized research
centers. The university offers interdisciplinary graduate study and more than
100 undergraduate majors in four colleges -- Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Letters and Science. It also
houses six professional schools -- Education, Law, Management, Medicine,
Veterinary Medicine and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing.
Media contact(s):
* Benjamin Hart, School of Veterinary Medicine, (530) 752-1555,
blhart@ucdavis.edu
* Pat Bailey, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-9843, pjbailey@ucdavis.edu
View this story on the Web at
http://news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=10498
Trina Wood, Communications Officer
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Office: 530-752-5257
tjwood@ucdavis.edu
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine -- Leading veterinary medicine,
addressing societal needs
www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu
www.Facebook.com/UCDavisVetMed
www.twitter.com/ucdavisvetmed
Note the effect of late neutering on female Goldens vs Hemangiosarcoma.
ReplyDeleteA few years back, I went thru the Golden Retriever health database and compiled hemangio cases. Turns out most (IIRC about 85%) were in bitches 7 or 8 years old *that had been spayed within the previous six months*.
I doubt the stats re any better on other breeds, but Goldens offer a very large sample, and are probably the most-often spayed and neutered
of all breeds.
Neutering not only affects dog health, it also affects cat health. There are quite a few articles on the adverse health effects of spaying and neutering dogs, but there are hardly any on the health risks of spaying and neutering cats.
ReplyDeleteA few adverse effects have been noted, including an increase in risk of obesity, an increase in food intake, and an increase in shyness and hiding.
A few more risks to spaying and neutering cats include an increased risk of diabetes and a risk for developing feline urological syndrome.
ReplyDeleteA few other risks of neutering cats include a risk for feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) and a decrease in metabolic rate. Neutered cats seem to be more prone to obesity than neutered dogs.
ReplyDeleteThere is even less information on the risks of spaying and neutering ferrets, but neutering ferrets, especially before sexual maturity, is a known risk factor for adrenal disease.
Here are three articles that talk about adrenal disease in ferrets.
1) Exotic Animal Care website's article on Adrenal Disease in ferrets: http://www.exoticanimalcare.com/adrenal_disease_client.pdf
2) Doctors Foster and Smith website's article on Adrenal Disease in ferrets: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1983
3) Veterinary Partner website's article, What Ferret Owners Should Know About Adrenal Disease: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=2512
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ReplyDeleteOh great! So it's inexpensive to neuter your dog. Good thing you have health insurance because you will probably need it. Have you read any of the studies? There is a BIG reason NOT to get your dog neutered and that is HIS HEALTH AND LONGEVITY.
ReplyDeleteThe ONLY health indications for neutering are to treat testicular cancer or anal and prostate infetions that are refractory to other treatments. THAT'S IT. Neutering for any other reason is harmful to your dog, putting him at risk of a multitude of health problems including many cancers, hypothyroidism, orthopedic disorders like hip dysplasia and patellar luxation (that's bad knees for those without medical education). Search this blog under the "spay/neuter" label for the MANY posts we've done about the health problems associated with spay and neuter.
Name me ONE health benefit from neutering, when done without a specific medical necessity. THERE IS NONE.
Honestly, what is wrong with people? Can't anyone READ any more? I continually get ignorant comments spouted out from those who have obviously NOT read the post. I hesitate to approve such comments but will continue to try to educate people who may or may not have any reading comprehension skills.
ReplyDelete