This topic is presented to veterinarians every day across the country. While for decades it has been the standard of practice to neuter/spay animals typically at 6 months, and even more recently by many shelters at even 6-8 weeks in some pets, this practice is now being called into question by conflicting studies now showing that waiting on spaying/neutering pets to when they reach sexual maturity at often one year of age, as well as simply weighing the pros and cons of the procedure at all, should be considered on an individual pet by pet basis.
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The most important reasons for having pets spayed or neutered revolves around controlling the already huge pet overpopulation problem. Unfortunately, every day across the country, countless numbers of animals are euthanized because of sometimes unwanted pregnancies, and with the hard economic times, many animal guardians are cutting back on certain aspects of pet health care. However, from an individual pet basis, some studies have shown that pets that undergo spaying or neutering are at increased risks for certain cancers such as bone cancer (especially more common in large or giant breed dogs), bladder tumors, prostate cancer, as well as hemangiosarcomas. |
Urine incontinence is more common in neutered or spayed animals, as well as certain hormonal issues like thyroid disorders, and even behavioral problems such as increased aggression in one study in spayed/neutered animals. A growing epidemic of canine cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries are significantly more common in pets neutered/spayed before one year of age. On the flip side, early spaying of female dogs significantly decreases the risk of breast cancer, and will prevent a uterine abscess/infection known as a pyometra, which is seen on occasion in unspayed middle age and older female dogs.
My own feeling after looking at both sides of the issue, is that if an individual animal guardian can be a responsible pet owner, in not letting an intact pet off leash or the chance to roam, is that if a guardian decides to neuter or spay their dog that it be done at one year of age, rather than the prior earlier recommendations and what is done in shelter medicine and animals there. As with many things in life, there is no one correct answer to this important health care decision.
A very important consideration before spaying or neutering an animal is that by removing the sex hormones, there is a big stress put on the rest of the endocrine system, which all works together and not in separate parts in my opinion. I therefore recommend that both before and after spaying that a good natural diet is fed such as Eat Great Be Well Dog Food, Azmira, Pet Guard or Wysong. It is also important to have all animals, but especially neutered/spayed ones on a good multivitamin supplement such as VitaChews or Super VitaChews, as well as a good quality Omega 3 fatty acid such as Super Pure Omega 3, Be Well Dog, Be Well Cat, and Nordic Naturals Omega 3 pet supplement.
1800PetMeds has a wonderful endocrine package deal as well that includes a few of these in an economic, yet healthy threesome, including the antioxidant supplement Proanthozone, which can all work together in helping to maintain optimal health in neutered or spayed dogs or cats.
