![]() ![]() "This is a paradigm shift for the most commonly performed operation in veterinary practice." Abstract: Neutering (including spaying) of male and female dogs in the first year after birth has become routine in the U.S. "We think it's the decision of the pet owner, in consultation with their veterinarian, not society's expectations that should dictate when to neuter," Hart said. The new long-term study suggests that might not always be the best option. In the United States, most dog owners neuter their pets before they are six months old. Neutering can prevent tumors, ease behavioral problems, and, of course, prevent unwanted puppies, the ASPCA reports.īut deciding when to put your pup under the knife is an important part of the decision. In general, there is support for neutering pets among the veterinary community. Suggested guidelines for the best age to neuter your dog. What should dog owners do? - To help dog owners determine the best way to keep their pets healthy, the researchers developed a chart for each of the dog breeds they studied. In Boston Terriers neutered at six months old, females did not experience increased risks of joint disorders or cancers, but males did. The sex of a dog can also affect health risks. Small-dog breeds – Boston Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Corgi, Dachshund, Maltese, Pomeranian, Poodle-Toy, Pug, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier – do not appear to have an increased risk in joint disorders with neutering compared to the breeds of larger size. The authors write: Vulnerability to joint disorders associated with neutering is generally related to body size. There were few exceptions, however: Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds each showed no joint disease risk increase post-neutering, despite their large size. ![]() They found that, in general, vulnerability was related to body size. The majority of larger dog breeds did have joint disorders, the researchers found. But two small breeds - Boston Terriers and Shih Tzus - each had a significant increase in cancers after being neutered. Smaller breeds tended not to have joint issues after being neutered, and showed lower rates of cancer overall, compared to larger dogs. The size of the dog, however, could be a major factor. That means that, for pet owners, one size does not fit all. "There is a huge disparity among different breeds," lead study author Benjamin Hart, professor emeritus at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, explained. ![]() The new research adds complexity to those findings by studying a wider range of dog breeds, which vary in their risk of disease. One 2018 study, conducted by some of the same research team, found that cancer risk in Golden Retrievers increases by 5 percent or higher after neutering. Neutering and disease risk - Previous research has looked at the risk of disease in neutered dogs. The results appear in a study published on July 10 in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Large dog breeds who were neutered were more likely to have an increased risk for both cancer and joint disorders, with the exception of Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds.In only two small dog breeds - the Boston Terrier and the Shih Tzu - there was an increase in cancer risk linked to neutering.In small dogs, on average, neutering was not linked to an increase in joint disorders.In most cases, it doesn't matter at what age a dog gets neutered.In the majority of cases, the age at which a dog was neutered, or if it was neutered, didn't affect its chance of becoming ill. Over a 10-year span, scientists studied 35 dog breeds to determine their risk of developing five types of cancer and three joint disorders, in relation to being neutered. But exactly when you should neuter your dog - or if you should even neuter it at all - depends on its breed, scientists report. Neutering dogs at the right age can help to prevent putting the animals in danger. Experts say it can keep pets healthier - it can also lead to increased health risks in some dogs, including joint disorders and some cancers, according to new research. Getting dogs neutered or spayed is a routine part of pet ownership. ![]()
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