When to spay and neuter
When to spay or neuter your pet is a question that involves some research and discussion. It is important to consider your breed and lifestyle and compare risks and benefits. Below we will discuss some of these risks and benefits so you can decide what is best for you and your pet.
Mammary Tumors
Spaying a Female dog of any breed before their first heat cycle can greatly reduce the risk of Mammary tumors. Mammary tumors in female dogs account for 42% of all diagnosed tumors, with a lifetime risk of 23-34%, according to the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology (VSSO). Compare that to women, who have a 12.4% lifetime risk according to Susan G. Komen, an American breast cancer organization.
According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the risk of your dog getting mammary cancer is:
- 0.5% risk for female dogs spayed before their first heat cycle
- 8% risk for female dogs spayed after their first heat
- 26% risk for female dogs spayed after their second heat Additionally, 50% of mammary tumors are malignant
It is important to note Obesity, especially at a young age, as well as breed, may also influence the risk.
Pyometra
A pyometra is a potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus. Pyometra is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment with surgery and antibiotics.
Any female dog that has not been spayed can develop a pyometra, but they are more common in middle-aged to older female dogs who have been through multiple heat cycles. Some breeds are also more likely to develop a pyometra if left intact. Pyometra can be 100% prevented by spaying female dogs when young and healthy.
Breeds that have been identified as having a greater risk for pyometra are (identified using multivariate models) Rough Collies, Rottweilers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and English Cocker Spaniels compared with baseline (all other breeds, including mixed breed dogs).
Breeds with a low risk of developing a Pyometra were Drevers, German Shepherd Dogs, Miniature Dachshunds, Dachshunds (normal size), and Swedish Hounds.
Prostate problems.
About 50 % of intact male dogs experience age-related prostatic changes by the time they're 4 years old. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common prostatic condition it is estimated 50 %of intact male dogs will see BPH by 4 years of age.
Prostatitis, a bacterial prostate infection, is rare in neutered dogs; it's much more likely in intact dogs. This infection can take the form of a sudden, acute case or a long-term, chronic case.
Prostate cancer in dogs is found in less than 1% of dogs both intact and castrated. There have been some studies that show having a castrated dog may increase the risk there has not been reliable evidence to support this. They have shown that having a castrated dog with prostate cancer does increase their survival age. Breed predispositions are widely negated. However, Shetland Sheepdog, Scottish Terrier, Bouvier des Flandres, Doberman Pinscher, and mixed breeds are mentioned more frequently than other breeds
Unwanted Pregnancies and behavior
A male dog can detect scents from miles away. An intact male can become destructive and may escape enclosures to breed with a female in season. This can lead to unwanted pregnancies, injuries, and loss of a pet. Dogs and cats do not understand the risks of breeding with mom or sister and this can result in birth defects as well.
Behavioral concerns in males can include mounting, indoor urine marking, roaming and some cases of aggression to other intact male dogs. Neutering at a younger age can help reduce some behaviors. Sex hormones do not cause behaviors but instead influence the likelihood of particular behaviors occurring In male dogs. This means that if you are already seeing these behaviors, neutering alone will not fix the behaviors and behavior modification may also be needed to resolve them.
Intact female perceived behavior concerns are behavior changes associated with seasons or phantom pregnancies.
Joint Disorders, Cancers, and Urinary Incontinence
Some joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence have been associated with certain breeds and the age at which they were spayed.
An example of this is the Boxer. Boxers were not shown to have an increase of Joint Disorders but they do have an increase in the following cancers, lymphoma (LSA), mast cell tumor (MCT), hemangiosarcoma (HSA), and osteosarcoma (OSA)
There were no occurrences of Mammary Cancer in intact females and no Mammary Cancer in females spayed at any age. Pyometra was diagnosed in 2 percent of intact females. Just 1-2 percent of spayed females were diagnosed with Urinary incontinence.
Below you will find a suggested guideline for the age of neutering of 35 breeds written by. You can find this information and individual breed specifics at https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00388/full
