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To Spay/Neuter
or not to Spay/Neuter?
The following article
was composed by Rachel Peeples.
Spaying
| Pros |
Cons |
| No messy heats and no unwanted
litters |
In some aggressive bitches, the
removal of estrogen
heightens aggression |
Prior to the first heat
reduces risk of mammary cancer to less than 1%
Prior to the second heat reduces risk of mammary cancer to less than 33%
Prior to third heat reduces risk of mammary cancer to less than 66%
After that is the same as not being spayed at all |
In bitch puppies with
unresolving urinary tract
infections and/or vaginal infections, spaying prior to the first heat will usually make
these life-long problems. Allowing one heat
prior to spaying alters the lining of the urinary and genital tract in such a way that
typically resolves these
problems |
| Removes uterus and ovaries: 0%
chance of uterine or ovarian cancer |
There are some claims, which I
have yet to see supporting
evidence of, that spaying prior to the first heat (according to some) or prior to full
maturity (according to others) will prevent full mental maturation of the
bitch. |
| Removes risk of pyometra and
false pregnancies |
Spaying prior to the first heat
and, therefore, removing estrogen from the body enables the growth plates of the bones to
stay open longer
creating a taller bitch. This may or may not be considered a con. The effect
of spaying in this area is less than the effect of neutering. |
Neutering:
| Pros |
Cons |
| Probably will reduce aggression,
roaming, and unwanted sexual "attention" to people and other non-canine objects
or individuals. |
Neutering prior to puberty (no
testosterone) will allow
bone growth plates to remain open significantly longer time resulting in a taller dog. |
| Will prevent the siring of
unwanted puppies, destruction of property to get to bitches in heat, and bitch-in-heat
induced fights. |
Neutering prior to full maturity
will result in a dog
that is less stocky than what THAT dog would have been if left intact |
100% of intact males by age 5 or
6 will have some degree of prostatic enlargement. Neutering reduces this risk
dramatically |
There are some claims, which I
have yet to see supporting
evidence of, that neutering prior to sexual maturity (according to some) or prior to full
maturity (according to others) will prevent full mental maturation of the dog. |
| Zero chance of testicular cancer |
No testicles which really
bothers some owners but with the nuticles available now that isn't a real issue |
Testosterone has been shown to
shorten the lifespan of
males. Neutering removes this hormone and prolongs life |
Vasectomies are becomingly
available so for those people wanting the effects of hormones (why???) can have that
without the risk of
unwanted puppies. |
Have some Pro/Cons to add?
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