ALL you need to know about Spey & Neuter
MALES; Pet parents are strongly advised by veterinarians to neuter their puppies and kittens as early as possible for health reasons, behavior control and population control. Most responsible people living with pets believe neutering and spaying is important to reduce the risk of certain diseases or to avoid contributing to homeless animals due to free mating.
But, how valid are these reasons for neutering and spaying our dogs? Are there health risks or benefits to waiting for our animals to age, not spaying/neutering at all, or alternative surgeries?
With many retrospective studies to date, there is no clear evidence which indicates neutering male dogs, especially young male dogs, will prevent future health issues.
In fact, the negative health issues far exceed the benefits.
The following information is taken from a meta analysis preformed by Laura J. Sanborn, M.S. in 2007:
Starting with the benefits for neutering male dogs, the procedure eliminates the small risk (<1%) of developing testicular cancer. However, this is a very treatable disease with a high incidence of cure. Neutering may possibly reduce the risk of non-cancerous prostate disorders, perianal fistulas, and diabetes (data inconclusive).
10 Reasons Neutering Your MALE Dog Negatively Impacts His Health
#1: Most pets are neutered prior to their first year of age which disrupts proper hormonal processes. Removing the hormone generating organs of the body so early in age will impact other essential growth processes.
#2: Hormonal disruption in neutered male dogs heighten the risks of other growth centers. Neutering may triple the risk of hypothyroidism.
#3: Early neutering of male dogs increases the risk of developing bone cancer. Osteosarcoma is a common cancer in medium/large and larger breeds with a poor prognosis.
#4: Male dogs who are neutered are more likely to develop other orthopedic diseases. The potential for hip dysplasia and cruciate rupture rises when male dogs have inadequate time to fully hormonally develop and grow healthy bones.
#5: Neutering male dogs increases the risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma. The likelihood of developing this common cancer in many breeds after neutering rises by a factor of 1.6 and has a very poor prognosis.
#6: Male dogs neutered during their first years have a tripled potential for obesity. Similar to humans, overweight dogs are more susceptible to numerous other health problems.
#7: The originally small risks for prostate and urinary tract cancers increase for neutered male dogs. The risk for urinary tract cancer doubles (<1%) while the risk for prostate cancer quadruples (<0.6%).
#8: The vaccines recommended to pet parents may result in adverse side effects in neutered male dogs. By decreasing the immune stimulation and protection from the testosterone surges during puberty, negative reactions to vaccinations are more likely to occur.
#9: Neutering male dogs may negatively impact their quality of life as they age. Testosterone soaks the brain and provides protection from amyloid deposits, protein deposits that clog brain pathways. The risk of progressive geriatric impairments rises in neutered male dogs.
#10: For the behavioral symptoms pet parents believe will be helped by neutering male dogs, other negative symptoms in behavior may develop. Studies indicate neutered males are susceptible to anxious or fearful behaviors, noise phobias, aggression, and undesirable sexual behaviors.
FEMALES 🧐 Traditional Spey vs Ovary Sparing Spey
An ovary sparing spey is where the ovaries are left in place so the bitch has access to her hormones to grow well and allow the body to access these hormones as Nature intended which affects many different bodily systems.
🧑⚕️ What Are The Advantages Of Retaining The Ovaries?
✅ Lower incidence of hemangiosarcoma (cancer usually found in the spleen or heart)
✅ Lower incidence of osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
✅ Lower risk of transitional cell carcinoma (bladder cancer)
✅ Lower incidence of obesity, which may be due at least partly to increased metabolic rate
✅ Lower incidence of urinary incontinence (equivocal if females are spayed after 5 months but before their first heat)
✅ Lower incidence of urinary tract infection
Lower incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism
✅ A reduced incidence of cranial cruciate rupture
✅ A reduced incidence of hip dysplasia in female dogs that are not spayed before 5 months of age. Anesthesia and surgery are not appropriate for some patients with high-risk medical conditions
✅ Lower incidence of adverse reactions to vaccines
✅ Evidence of increased lifespan in females left intact past puberty. David J. Waters, associate director of Purdue University’s Center on Aging and the Life Course and a professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences says: “Taking away ovaries during the first 4 years of life completely erased the female survival advantage. We found that female Rottweilers that kept their ovaries for at least 6 years were 4 times more likely to reach exceptional longevity compared to females who had the shortest lifetime ovary exposure.”
🧩 It’s time to rethink early desexing.
🚨 For more information including risks, visit:
https://www.smallanimalclinic.com/services/dogs/spay-or-ovary-sparing-spay?fbclid=IwAR2SaajuCsS5SzG5vLakMjdcyN7lAzvgwZEFlGdGiXqamHs82cVK8nSwGvA