Waggie Pet Zone

What Does Spaying and Neutering Mean?

Spaying: The surgical removal of a female pet’s ovaries and uterus.

Neutering: The surgical removal of a male pet’s testicles.

Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia and are common veterinary practices. However, there are varying opinions on the best time to perform these surgeries and whether they should be done at all.

As a pet owner, one of the most important decisions you’ll make affecting your pet’s long term health and well-being is whether or not to have them spayed or neutered.  Traditionally veterinary recommendations included altering your pet, however more recent research indicates that some breeds may benefit from delaying spay neuter, for some breeds it is not recommended at any age. You can view the study here.

Key Findings of the UC Davis Spay/Neuter Study:

1. Timing of Spay/Neuter and Orthopedic Health:
   • Increased Risk of Joint Problems: One of the primary conclusions from the UC Davis study is that early spaying or neutering (before 6 months of age) can increase the risk of certain orthopedic conditions. Dogs spayed or neutered early, particularly those of larger breeds, were found to have a higher incidence of conditions like hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears, and other joint problems.
   • Delayed Closure of Growth Plates: Early spaying or neutering can delay the closure of growth plates in bones. This can lead to longer limbs, altered joint angles, and an increased likelihood of developing skeletal issues. The growth plates typically close around 6–12 months of age, and early spay/neuter can interfere with this natural process.
2. Cancer Risk and Hormone-Related Cancers:
   • Higher Risk of Certain Cancers: The UC Davis study also highlighted an increased risk of certain cancers associated with early spaying or neutering. For example:
     • Increased risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer): This type of cancer was found to occur more frequently in dogs that were spayed or neutered before one year of age.
     • Increased risk of hemangiosarcoma (a form of cancer affecting blood vessels): This was noted particularly in certain breeds, like Golden Retrievers.
   • Decreased Risk of Other Cancers: On the flip side, early neutering or spaying has been shown to reduce the risk of other types of cancer, such as testicular cancer in males and mammary cancer in females. The removal of sex hormones reduces the risk of cancers that are hormonally driven, like mammary gland tumors.
3. Behavioral Impacts:
   • Behavioral Changes: The study found that early neutering might influence behavior. Some dogs spayed or neutered before 6 months may show an increased tendency for fear-based behaviors and anxiety, though this can be highly individual and not breed specific. Early neutering can also potentially affect the development of normal sexual behaviors (e.g., marking, roaming) in males, though the exact influence on behavior depends on the dog’s genetics and early training.
4. Reproductive Health:
   • Early Spay/Neuter Reduces Reproductive Health Risks: While early spaying or neutering reduces the risk of reproductive cancers, it also eliminates the potential benefits that might come with allowing the animal to go through at least one heat cycle. For example, there is evidence that spaying a female dog after her first heat cycle can reduce the risk of mammary tumors even further.