Why fix dogs

However, the overall findings with each breed allow for some general comparisons. For each breed represented on a separate page in Appendix 1 , the numbers of intact and neutered males and females are given. In the tables, the percentage of dogs with each of the diseases and the percentage having at least one of the joint disorders and at least one of the cancers except MC was calculated for intact males and intact females as well as those neutered at various age ranges.

Statistical analyses compared the occurrences of joint disorders and cancers between each neuter period and intact dogs. The detailed datasets are available online Figshare, doi: Three breeds for which findings have been previously published Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd Dog are included to present an overall picture in the same Appendix 1.

The data for these three breeds were expanded through 11 years of age, to provide continuity among breeds and diseases. Survival analyses were not done on IDD occurrence because the condition represented so many different disease diagnoses. Also included in the breed summary information is a suggested guideline for neutering age for males and females to avoid increasing the risks of a disease under consideration.

When there was no noticeable occurrence of an increase in joint disorders or cancers with neutering, the guideline statement was made that those wishing to neuter should decide on the appropriate age or briefly stated as choice in Table 1. The breed-by-breed findings are presented in four different formats. One format, seen in this section below, is a short paragraph for each breed. The occurrence of the joint disorders and the cancers followed is reported for the intact and neutered dogs, and the increase in the two disease types over that of the intact dogs, if significant, is reported.

A second format, represented in Table 1 , is a very brief summary of spaying and neutering guidelines based on findings regarding joint disorders and cancers for each breed, allowing the reader to quickly scroll through the various breeds.

In the third format, the data-based findings, with statistical notations for each breed, are reported in Appendix 1. In the fourth format, the raw data allowing the reader to perform their own calculations, if desirable, is available in Figshare. The mean age of last entry was calculated for intact and neutered males and females for each breed and presented in Appendix 2.

Across all breeds the mean age of last entry in the record for neutered males was 5. Upon perusal of the data, it is evident that the mean age of data entry for intact dogs was younger than that of neutered dogs, especially for females, where there is disparity of almost 1 year. To address the issue of whether the lower age of last entry for intact dogs could have resulted in a lower rate of disease occurrence in intact dogs in either joint disorders or cancers, we examined data of dogs where the last entry was at 8 years or beyond.

We looked at three breeds with the largest databases Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherd Dogs and where there were significant differences in disease diagnoses between early neutered and intact dogs. For male Labrador Retrievers, the figures were 22 vs.

For male German Shepherd Dogs, the figures were 33 vs. For cancers in female Goldens, the figures were 26 vs. The incidence figures, although not sufficient for meaningful statistical analyses, are consistent with the larger database where all ages are included.

Thus, while the age of the last visit is a limitation for analyses on late-occurring cancers and joint disorders, the examples chosen for dogs seen at the age of 8 years or beyond are consistent with the overall results presented here; these results appear to represent what would be seen in the general situation.

Looking at the occurrences of these joint disorders and cancers, it is clear that most breeds are unaffected for these diseases by age of neutering.

Vulnerability to joint disorders associated with neutering is generally related to body size. However, in the breeds of larger body size there were differences among the breeds with the two giant breeds — Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds — showing no indication of increase in one or more joint disorders with neutering at any age. Although the occurrence of MC was tracked, the female mean age at the last hospital visit for all breeds ended short of the reported, late-onset mean age of MC occurrence in intact female dogs.

Thus, the low occurrence of MC in intact females typically under 6 percent cannot be expected to represent the actual incidence over a female's lifetime. When the percentage of MC was calculated for only those dogs seen through 8 years of age or older including cases diagnosed past the 12th birthday , the results did not appear appreciably different than the percentages seen using the study age range.

However, the number of dogs seen through age 8 or beyond was fairly small, so the analysis results might change with an increased sample size of these older dogs. The following are brief summaries for each of the breeds along with suggested guidelines for age of neutering. See Appendix 1 for the complete data set, including statistical analyses for each breed.

The study population was 61 intact males, 58 neutered males, 48 intact females, and 70 spayed females for a total of cases. In this sample, 5 percent of intact males and 2 percent of intact females were diagnosed with one or more joint disorders.

The occurrence of cancers was low for males and females left intact 0 and 3 percent, respectively. There were no evident occurrences of the cancers in dogs neutered at various ages. The occurrence of MC in intact females was 6 percent and in those spayed at 2—8 years, 6 percent. For females left intact, 4 percent were reported with PYO. UI was not reported in any of the spayed or intact females. Lacking a noticeable occurrence of increased joint disorders or cancers in neutered males, those wishing to neuter should decide on the appropriate age.

The study population was 93 intact males, neutered males, 76 intact females, and spayed females for a total of cases. In this sample, 3 percent of intact males and 4 percent of intact females were diagnosed with one or more joint disorders. Neutering males and females was not associated with any evident increased risk in joint disorders. The occurrence of cancers was 9 percent for intact males and, in contrast, only about 1 percent for intact females.

Neutering males did not appear to be associated with an overall increased risk of cancers above the rather high level of intact males. However, spaying females at 6—11 mo. The occurrence of MC in intact females was zero, but was 8 percent in females spayed at 2—8 years.

For females left intact, 5 percent were reported with PYO. UI was reported in just 1 percent of early-spayed females. The guideline for females is the same while also maintaining vigilance for the cancers which may be associated with spaying beyond 6 months, or else leaving the female intact and being vigilant for MC.

The study population was 42 intact males, 82 neutered males, 45 intact females and 87 spayed females for a total of cases. Just 2 percent of intact males were diagnosed with one or more joint disorders, but with neutering at 6—11 mo. None of the females left intact or spayed had a joint disorder. None of the intact males or females was diagnosed with any of the cancers followed. There was no evident increased occurrence of cancers in neutered males and females.

There was no occurrence of MC in intact or late-spayed females. There was 1 case of PYO in intact females 2 percent. UI was reported in only 2 percent of early-spayed females. For males, in light of a possible increase in joint disorders for those neutered at 6—11 mo. Lacking a noticeable occurrence of increased joint disorders or cancers in neutered females, those wishing to neuter should decide on the appropriate age.

The study population was 59 intact males, 74 neutered males, 37 intact females, and 65 spayed females for a total of cases. The percentage of intact males with at least one joint disorder was 4 percent and for intact females, 11 percent. Spaying females before 6 mo. The occurrence of one or more of the cancers followed was 9 percent for both intact males and intact females.

There was no occurrence of MC in females, whether left intact or neutered at any age, and a 5 percent occurrence of PYO in intact females. There was no occurrence of UI in intact or spayed females. Reflecting the increased risk of joint disorders for males, the suggested guideline for neutering males is delaying neutering until well-beyond 2 years.

Lacking a significant occurrence of increased joint disorders or cancers in neutered females, those wishing to neuter should decide on the appropriate age. The study population was intact males, 85 neutered males, 88 intact females, and spayed females for a total of cases. The occurrence of one or more of the cancers followed in intact males was 2 percent and none for females left intact. For males, there was a significant increased risk in one or more of the cancers to 13 percent with neutering at 6—11 mo.

UI was reported in just one spayed female. The suggested guideline for neutering, given the significant risk of cancers, is holding off neutering of both sexes until beyond a year of age. The study population was 75 intact males, 67 neutered males, 54 intact females, and 96 spayed females for a total of cases. None of the intact or neutered males or females was diagnosed with one or more joint disorders. For females, 2 percent of intact females had one or more of the cancers and with spaying, there was no evident increase of cancers.

UI was 2 percent in early-spayed females. In light of the significant increase in cancers in males with neutering through 11 months of age, the suggested guideline for males is delaying neutering to beyond a year of age. The study population was intact males, neutered males, intact females, and spayed females, for a sample size of cases.

Males and females left intact had just a 2 percent occurrence of joint disorders, with neutered males and females showing no apparent increase in this measure. The occurrence of one or more of the cancers followed in intact males was 17 percent, and for intact females, 11 percent. The same pattern of increase in cancers was seen in spaying females with up to 20 percent of females having one or more of the cancers with spaying done before 2 years, an increase that was not significant, but with an expanded database may have been.

There was no occurrence of MC in intact females. PYO was diagnosed in 2 percent of intact females. Just 1 percent of spayed females were diagnosed with UI. Given the risk of increased cancers, the suggested guideline for both sexes is to delay neutering until beyond 2 years of age. The study population was intact males, neutered males, 90 intact females, and spayed females for a sample of cases. The occurrence of joint disorders in intact males was 7 percent and 5 percent in intact females.

The cancers followed occurred at the 6 to 7 percent level in intact males and females. There were no significant increases above this with neutering males or females. The occurrence of MC in females left intact was 1 percent and 2 percent with spaying at 2—8 years. Lacking a significant occurrence of increased joint disorders or cancers in neutered males or females, those wishing to neuter should decide on the appropriate age, but some people may wish to be cautious in view of the possible apparent risk in joint disorders.

The study population was 51 intact males, 72 neutered males, 87 intact females, and 76 spayed females, for a sample size of cases. For males and females left intact, the occurrences of one or more joint disorders were just 4 and 1 percent, respectively, and for both sexes neutering was not associated with any increase in this measure.

The occurrences of cancers in intact males were 2 percent and zero for intact females. For both sexes neutering was not associated with any increase in this measure.

The occurrence of MC in females left intact was zero. The occurrence of PYO was 2 percent in intact females. There was no occurrence of UI in spayed females. Lacking a noticeable occurrence of increased joint disorders or cancers in neutered males or females, those wishing to neuter should decide on the appropriate age.

The study population was intact males, neutered males, intact females, and spayed females for a total sample of 1, cases. For both males and females, neither those left intact, nor those neutered at any age had a noteworthy occurrence of a joint disorder. The occurrence of MC in females left intact was 1 percent, and in females neutered at 2—8 mo. In intact females, PYO was diagnosed in 2 percent. There was no UI diagnosed in any of the spayed females. Lacking a noticeable occurrence of increased joint disorders or cancers with neutering in either sex, those wishing to neuter should decide on the appropriate age.

The study population was 71 intact males, neutered males, 61 intact females, and spayed females, for a sample size of cases. The occurrence of at least one joint disorder was seen in 1 to 3 percent of the intact males and females. Spaying females was not associated with an increase in joint disorders.

The occurrence of one or more of the cancers followed was 6 percent in intact males with no increase with neutering. None of the spayed females developed UI. The suggested guideline for males is neutering beyond 6 months of age.

Given the increased cancer risk for females spayed at a year of age, the suggested guideline is delaying spaying until beyond 2 years of age. The study population was 29 intact males, 26 neutered males, 24 intact females, and 37 spayed females, for a sample size of cases. The occurrence of at least one joint disorder was seen in 7 percent of the intact males and in none of the intact females.

None of the neutered males or females had a noteworthy occurrence of a joint disorder. The occurrence of one or more of the cancers followed was 11 percent for intact males and none for the intact females. Of females spayed at 6—11 mo. Lacking a noticeable occurrence of increased joint disorders or cancers in neutered males, those wishing to neuter a male should decide on the appropriate age. The study population was 42 intact males, 78 neutered males, 50 intact females, and 70 spayed females, for a total sample size of cases.

Although these are two breeds, they vary only a little in size, so these two breeds are combined for statistical analyses and display of data. The occurrence of at least one joint disorder in intact males was 5 percent and for intact females 6 percent. There was no significant increase in this measure in males or females with neutering. This is one of the breeds where intervertebral disc disorders are a concern, and in 3 percent of intact males and 8 percent of intact females, IDD was reported.

In males neutered before 6 months, the occurrence of IDD reached 18 percent, and in females there was no increase with neutering. The occurrence of one or more of the cancers followed was 5 percent in intact males and 6 percent in intact females. In neutered males and females, there was no evident increase in cancers.

There was no diagnosis of UI in spayed females. Lacking a noticeable occurrence of increased joint disorders, IDD, or cancers with neutering females, those wishing to neuter a female should decide on the appropriate age. The study population was intact males, neutered males, 99 intact females, and spayed females, for a total sample size of cases. Joint disorders were basically absent in males and females, left intact or neutered. This is a breed plagued by intervertebral disc disorders, and in this sample 53 percent of intact males and 38 percent of intact females were diagnosed with a form of IDD.

There was no evident increase in this measure with neutering of males or females. The study population was intact males, 91 neutered males, 53 intact females, and spayed females, for a sample size of cases. The percentage of intact males with at least one joint disorder was 2 percent and 0 percent for intact females. There was no evident increase in this measure with neutering males.

For females, spaying within 11 months resulted in an increase in joint disorders of 11 percent, which did not reach significance. The occurrence of one or more of the cancers followed for both intact males and intact females was 2 percent. In neutered males at the 1 year and 2—8 year periods, there was a non-significant increase in occurrence of cancers to 6 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

For females, there was no noteworthy increase in cancers with spaying at any time. The occurrence of MC in females left intact was 2 percent and 4 percent for those spayed at 2—8 years. There was a 7 percent occurrence of PYO in intact females.

The suggested guideline, based on fragmentary results, for males is to leave the male intact or neuter before 1 year of age to avoid the possible increased risk of cancers seen in those neutered beyond a year of age. For females, the suggested guideline, also based on limited data, given the risk of UI in early spayed females, and the possible increased risk of a joint disorder, is to consider delaying spaying until beyond 2 years of age. The study population was 52 intact males, 57 neutered males, 37 intact females, and 66 spayed females for a total sample of cases.

In males and females left intact, the occurrence of one or more joint disorders was 5 and 8 percent, respectively. Among males and females neutered at various ages, there were no noteworthy increases in joint disorders.

The cancers followed occurred in the intact males and females at a 6 percent level, and neutering at any age was not associated with any evident increase in this measure in either sex. In intact females, MC was diagnosed in 6 percent, and for those spayed at 2—8 years, 15 percent.

PYO was not reported in any of the intact females. Spaying females at 6—11 mo. For females, given the increased risk of UI in those spayed before 1 year, the suggested guideline is to delay spaying until a year of age. The study population was intact males, neutered males, intact females, and spayed females for a total of 1, cases.

In males and females left intact, the occurrence of one or more joint disorders was 6 and 5 percent, respectively. The occurrence of one or more of the cancers followed for intact males and females was 3 percent and 2 percent, respectively.

Neutering at the various ages was not associated with any appreciable increased risk in cancers followed. First, it's important to understand what 'fixing your dog' actually means. Spaying entails the removal of a female dog's reproductive organs through either an ovariohysterectomy both uterus and ovaries are removed or an ovariectomy only the ovaries are removed. After your female dog has been spayed she will not be able to have puppies. For male dogs, neutering, or castration, involves the removal of both testicles and their associated structures.

A neutered dog is unable to reproduce. Besides reducing the risk of unwanted puppies, there are a number of other benefits to spaying or neutering your dog.

Neutering helps to prevent male dogs from developing testicular cancer and can also help reduce unwanted behaviors such as aggression, straying and humping. Spaying your female dog can help to prevent serious health problems such as pyometra, a potentially life-threatening uterine infection , and mammary cancer.

There are a number of factors that can influence the timing of these procedures, however, both spaying and neutering can be done on puppies as young as a few months old. Traditionally, puppies were fixed when they were between 4 - 6 months old. Many pet parents wonder if their dog or cat's panting means that their pet is experiencing labored breathing.

Although urine-marking is usually associated with male dogs, females may do it too. Spaying or neutering your dog should reduce urine-marking and may even stop it altogether.

For cats, the urge to spray is extremely strong in those not altered, so the simplest solution is to alter by 5 months old before the problem arises.

It can also minimize howling, the urge to roam and fighting with other males. In both cats and dogs, the longer you wait, the greater the risk of the surgery not doing the trick because the animal has practiced the behavior for a longer period of time, thereby reinforcing the habit.

Also, while having your pets spayed or neutered may help curb certain undesirable behaviors, it will not change their fundamental personalities. Caring for a pet with reproductive system cancer or pyometra can easily run thousands of dollars—five to 10 times as much as a routine spay or neuter surgery. In cases where intact dogs and cats may fight, treatment of their related injuries can also result in high veterinary costs.

Rabbits reproduce faster than dogs and cats and, in some regions, are the second most frequent species surrendered to shelters. Neutering male rabbits can also reduce hormone-driven behaviors such as lunging, mounting, spraying and boxing. And as with dogs and cats, spayed female rabbits are less likely to get ovarian, mammary and uterine cancers which can be prevalent in mature intact females.

By spaying or neutering your pet, you can help protect them against certain illnesses, perhaps address certain unwanted behaviors and save money. Your pet's health and longevity The average lifespan of spayed and neutered cats and dogs is demonstrably longer than the lifespan of those not. These are the best general recommendations that can be drawn from a thorough analysis of research currently available: Owned cats should be altered before they are 5 months old as they can become pregnant at 4 months of age and older.

Owned female dogs should be spayed before they are 5 months old.