A very legitimate concern, pet overpopulation, has been the primary
driving force behind 30 years of national and local spay/neuter campaigns.

When it comes to deciding at what age a companion animal should be
sterilized, the standard for most spay/neuter campaigns has been sooner
rather than later. This is especially true in the case of adoptable
abandoned and rescued pets that wind up in shelters and foster care.

Recently, however, some animal health care experts have begun to
question whether early sterilization is a good idea for every pet.

Dr. Alice Villalobos, a well-known pioneer in the field of cancer care
for companion animals, asks the question:

"But what if large-scale studies found that early neutering
jeopardizes the health of our pets?"

"What if we found enough epidemiological evidence that early
neutering of pet dogs may open them to orthopedic, behavioral,
immunologic and oncologic issues?"

Back in 1977, Dr. Villalobos founded a rescue organization called the
Peter Zippi Fund for Animals, which has to date rescued and re-homed
nearly 12,000 pets. Her organization was one of thousands that looked at
the tragic situation in U.S. shelters and determined early spay/neuter
was the best way to lessen the suffering and ultimate euthanasia of so
many feral and abandoned animals.

As a veterinary oncologist and founder of the pet hospice program
Pawspice, Dr. Villalobos concedes, "It is earth shattering to consider
that some of the cancers we have been battling may have been enhanced by
early neutering instead of the reverse."



It's unfortunately true that a growing body of research is pointing
to early sterilization as the common denominator for development of
several debilitating and life-threatening canine diseases.

On one hand, we certainly want to know what's causing our precious
canine companions to develop disease. On the other hand, it's troubling
to learn a procedure we've historically viewed as life-saving and of
value to the pet community as a whole, has likely played a role in
harming the health of some of the very animals we set out to protect.

The same amount of evidence has not been compiled for early
spay/neuter of cats, but it's not clear how well the subject is being
studied for kitties. Funding for research into feline health issues
falls well below dollars allocated for their canine counterparts.

Cardiac Tumors

A Veterinary Medical Database search of the years 1982 to 1995
revealed that in dogs with tumors of the heart, the relative risk for
spayed females was over four times that of intact females.

For the most common type of cardiac tumor, hemangiosarcoma (HAS),
spayed females had a greater than five times risk vs. their intact
counterparts. Neutered male dogs had a slightly higher risk than intact
males.

The study concluded that, "… neutering appeared to increase the
risk of cardiac tumor in both sexes. Intact females were least likely to
develop a cardiac tumor, whereas spayed females were most likely to
develop a tumor. Twelve breeds had greater than average risk of
developing a cardiac tumor, whereas 17 had lower risk."

Bone Cancer

In a study of Rottweilers published in 2002, it was established the
risk for bone sarcoma was significantly influenced by the age at which
the dogs were sterilized.

For both male and female Rotties spayed or neutered before one year
of age, there was a one in four lifetime risk for bone cancer, and the
sterilized animals were significantly more likely to develop the disease
than intact dogs of the same breed.

In another study using the Veterinary Medical Database for the
period 1980 through 1994, it was concluded the risk for bone cancer in
large breed, purebred dogs increased twofold for those dogs that were
also sterilized.

Prostate Cancer

It's commonly believed that neutering a male dog will prevent
prostatic carcinoma (PC) – cancer of the prostate gland.

But worthy of note is that according to one study conducted at the
College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University,
"…castration at any age showed no sparing effect on the risk of
development of PC in the dog."

This was a small study of just 43 animals, however. And researchers
conceded the development of prostate cancer in dogs may not be
exclusively related to the hormones produced by the testicles.
Preliminary work indicates non-testicular androgens exert a significant
influence on the canine prostate.

Abnormal Bone Growth and Development

Studies done in the 1990's concluded dogs spayed or neutered under
one year of age grew significantly taller than non-sterilized dogs or
those not spayed/neutered until after puberty. And the earlier the
spay/neuter procedure, the taller the dog.

Research published in 2000 in the Journal of Pediatric
Endocrinology and Metabolism may explain why dogs sterilized before
puberty are inclined to grow abnormally:

At puberty, estrogen promotes skeletal maturation and the
gradual, progressive closure of the epiphyseal growth plate, possibly as
a consequence of both estrogen-induced vascular and osteoblastic
invasion and the termination of chondrogenesis.

In addition, during puberty and into the third decade, estrogen
has an anabolic effect on the osteoblast and an apoptotic effect on the
osteoclast, increasing bone mineral acquisition in axial and
appendicular bone.

It appears the removal of estrogen-producing organs in immature
dogs, female and male, can cause growth plates to remain open. These
animals continue to grow and wind up with abnormal growth patterns and
bone structure. This results in irregular body proportions.

According to Chris Zink, DVM:

"For example, if the femur has achieved its genetically
determined normal length at 8 months when a dog gets spayed or neutered,
but the tibia, which normally stops growing at 12 to 14 months of age
continues to grow, then an abnormal angle may develop at the stifle. In
addition, with the extra growth, the lower leg below the stifle likely
becomes heavier (because it is longer), and may cause increased stresses
on the cranial cruciate ligament."

Higher Rate of ACL Ruptures

A study conducted at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
on canine anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries concluded that
spayed and neutered dogs had a significantly higher incidence of ACL
rupture than their intact counterparts. And while large breed dogs had
more ACL injuries, sterilized dogs of all breeds and sizes had increased
rupture rates.

Hip Dysplasia

In a retrospective cohort study conducted at Cornell University's
College of Veterinary Medicine, and published in the Journal of the
American Veterinary Medical Association, results showed that both male
and female dogs sterilized at an early age were more prone to hip dysplasia.

Other Early-Age Spay/Neuter Health Concerns

Early gonad removal is commonly associated with urinary
incontinence in female dogs and has been linked to increased incidence
of urethral sphincter incontinence in males.

Spayed and neutered Golden Retrievers are more likely to develop
hypothyroidism.

A cohort 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 sterilized at less than 24
weeks of age.

The AKC's Canine Health Foundation issued a report pointing to a
higher incidence of adverse reactions to vaccines in sterilized dogs.

Among the reports and studies pointing to health concerns
associated with early spaying and neutering, you can also find mention
of increased incidence of behavioral problems including:

* Noise phobias
* Fearful behavior
* Aggression
* Undesirable sexual behaviors

Risks versus Benefits of Early Sterilization

Every important decision in life comes with risks as well as benefits.

As responsible animal guardians, I believe we owe it to our pets to
make the best health choices we can for them.

As responsible members of society, we owe it to our communities to
proactively protect our intact pets from unplanned breeding at all
costs. We must hold ourselves to the highest standard of reproductive
control over the intact animals we are responsible for.

Clearly, there are health benefits to be derived from waiting until
after puberty to spay or neuter your dog.

However, there are also significant risks associated with owning an
intact, maturing pet.

* How seriously you take your responsibility as a pet owner is
the biggest determining factor in how risky it is to leave your dog
intact until he or she matures. If you are responsible enough to
absolutely guarantee your unsterilized pet will not have the opportunity
to mate, I would encourage you to wait until your pet is past puberty to
spay or neuter.
* If you are unable to absolutely guarantee you can prevent
your dog from mating and adding to the shameful, tragic problem of pet
overpopulation, then I strongly encourage you to get your animal
sterilized as soon as it's safe to do so.

Please note: I'm not advocating pet owners keep their dogs intact
indefinitely (see below). I'm also not suggesting that shelters and
rescues stop sterilizing young animals before re-homing them. Shelter
organizations can't determine how responsible adoptive pet owners will
be. In this situation, the risk of leaving adoptable animals intact is
simply unacceptable. Shelters and rescues must immediately spay/neuter
pets coming into their care.

If you've adopted or rescued a dog sterilized at an early age, I
encourage you to talk with your holistic veterinarian about any concerns
you have for your pet's future well-being, and what steps you can take
now to optimize her health throughout her life.

There is no one perfect answer to the spay/neuter question that
fits every pet, and each situation should be handled individually.

For Responsible Pet Owners, Decisions About When to Spay or Neuter
Should be Part of a Holistic Approach to Your Pet's Health and Quality
of Life

If you own an intact pet, I can offer a general guideline for
timing a spay/neuter procedure.

Your dog should be old enough to be a balanced individual both
physically and mentally. This balance isn't achieved until a dog has
reached at least one year of age. Although some breeds reach maturity
faster than others, many giant breed dogs are still developing at two
years of age.

Other considerations include your dog's diet, level of exercise,
behavioral habits, previous physical or emotional trauma, existing
health concerns, and overall lifestyle.

If you own an intact animal and need to make a spay/neuter
decision, I encourage you to first learn all you can about surgical
sterilization options and the risks and benefits associated with the
procedures.

Talk with reputable breeders and other experienced dog owners, and
consult a holistic vet to understand what steps you can take to ensure
the overall health and longevity of your pet.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites...neutering.aspx

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.co...ting-pets.aspx

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10225598

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12433723

On Mon, 21 Feb 2011 07:18:50 -0500, Char wrote:

A very legitimate concern, pet overpopulation, has been the primary
driving force behind 30 years of national and local spay/neuter
campaigns.



If you own an intact animal and need to make a spay/neuter
decision, I encourage you to first learn all you can about surgical
sterilization options and the risks and benefits associated with the
procedures.

Talk with reputable breeders and other experienced dog owners, and
consult a holistic vet to understand what steps you can take to ensure
the overall health and longevity of your pet.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites...ve/2011/02/17/
dangers-of-early-pet-spaying-or-neutering.aspx

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.co...-columns/bond-
beyond/is-early-neutering-hurting-pets.aspx

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10225598

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12433723

what would you do to limit pets population ?

Unfortunately, research in Australia and the US has shown that even when
a shelter offers free or discounted neuter-spay at a date future to the
date of adoption, only a tiny percentage of owners follow-through with
the surgery, free or not. Equally unfortunately, the vast majority of
These folks also fail to prevent that intact dog from reproducing. If
you do not have a spectacularly perfect dog, get it neutered or spayed.
The percentages of risk of problems related to neuter-spay are not
particularly high for any one problem, with, perhaps the exception of
some urinary incontinence and osteosarcoma in large breed dogs with that
problem in the breed. You cannot reproduce a dog "just like" the
wonderful one you now have. It's just plain impossible because "it
takes two to tango" and the second dog brings things in that you are
unaware of. Purebred or mixed breed.

Jo Wolf
Martinez, Georgia

On 2/21/2011 6:55 PM, sonofdog wrote:
On Mon, 21 Feb 2011 07:18:50 -0500, Char wrote:

A very legitimate concern, pet overpopulation, has been the primary
driving force behind 30 years of national and local spay/neuter
campaigns.



If you own an intact animal and need to make a spay/neuter
decision, I encourage you to first learn all you can about surgical
sterilization options and the risks and benefits associated with the
procedures.

Talk with reputable breeders and other experienced dog owners, and
consult a holistic vet to understand what steps you can take to ensure
the overall health and longevity of your pet.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites...ve/2011/02/17/
dangers-of-early-pet-spaying-or-neutering.aspx

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.co...-columns/bond-
beyond/is-early-neutering-hurting-pets.aspx

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10225598

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12433723

what would you do to limit pets population ?

I just don't let my dogs breed. With the use of baby gates and doors
it's not all that hard to do.

Char

Unfortunately, Char, you think in a different form of logic than a high
proportion of pet owners. Too many trust that a fence will prevent the
escape of a dog or bitch-in-heat, and prevent a wandering and hopeful
dog (meaning male) from getting into the fenced area..... and have never
heard of the all too easy mating Through a wire fence.....

Jo Wolf
Martinez, Georgia

Part of the problem of preventing mating lies in family members, rather
than the primary care-taker of the bitch. Laziness, lack of interest,
lack of knowledge, and open doors and gates.....

Jo Wolf
Martinez, Georgia

On 2/22/2011 1:49 AM, Jo Wolf wrote:

The percentages of risk of problems related to neuter-spay are not
particularly high for any one problem, with, perhaps the exception of
some urinary incontinence and osteosarcoma in large breed dogs with that
problem in the breed.

I disagree with you and decided not to remove body parts when I have
found a much better solution to preventing pregnancies while not
endangering my pets.

I'm also against cropping ears and tails and declawing cats.

That's your right. Just as it's my right to believe and speak out as I
do.

And I don't like cropping, docking and de-clawing either.

Jo Wolf
Martinez, Georgia