Should you neuter a male dog?

cepheus

Someone I know is considering this for their well balanced, two year old, healthy, male cross breed (the breed is a complicated mix, but it looks a bit like a German Shepherd).

I'm sure the standard answer is Yes, however having looked in the literature the situation is less clear, with many long term disadvantages, especially for male dogs. Is there a definitive guide?

On the positive side, neutering male dogs

• eliminates the small risk (probably <1%) of dying from testicular cancer
  
  
• reduces the risk of non-cancerous prostate disorders
  
  
• reduces the risk of perianal fistulas
  
  
• may possibly reduce the risk of diabetes (data inconclusive)

On the negative side, neutering male dogs

• if done before 1 year of age, significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer); this is a common cancer in medium/large and larger breeds with a poor prognosis.
  
• increases the risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 1.6
  
  
• triples the risk of hypothyroidism
  
  
• increases the risk of progressive geriatric cognitive impairment
  
  
• triples the risk of obesity, a common health problem in dogs with many associated health problems
  
  
• quadruples the small risk (<0.6%) of prostate cancer
  
  
• doubles the small risk (<1%) of urinary tract cancers
  
  
• increases the risk of orthopedic disorders
  
  
• increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/longtermhealtheffectsofspayneuterindogs.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutering

WeirdoMagnet

I don't really have time to post but - didn't want to read and run!

The Sanborn paper was slated at the time of pubication as the author is a vigorous campaigner against mandatory neutering, so it was aways going to have an anti-neutering bias. The paper was a review of other scientific papers - not her own research - and IIRC she appeared to cherry pick the bits that went with her own opinion! There were a number of points she made which did not hold water - I can't remember them off the top of my head, but I'm sure there's loads online.

As for neutering, I would say yes, so long as the dog is fit enough for the op, and also doesn't have behaviour issues. If it did have behaviour issues, I'd consult with a behaviourist prior to neutering to ascertain whether the op would exacerbate them.

Georgie

cepheus

Thanks Georgina. That's why I posted the wiki article as well, although this is under dispute. I am struggling to find good reasons in that either, except some debatable behavioural issues!

Other sources don't seem to provide any references, only opinion.



General

• As with any surgical procedure, immediate complications of neutering include the usual anesthetic and surgical complications, such as bleeding and infection. These risks are relatively low in routine spaying and neutering; however, they may be increased for some animals due to other pre-existing health factors. In one study the risk of anesthetic-related death (not limited to neutering procedures) was estimated at 0.05% for healthy dogs and 0.11% for healthy cats. The risk for sick dogs and cats were 1.33% and 1.40% respectively.[6]

• Neutered dogs of both sexes are at a twofold excess risk to develop osteosarcoma as compared to intact dogs,[7][8][9]

• Studies of cardiac tumors in dogs showed that there was a 5 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma, one of the three most common cancers in dogs, in spayed females than intact females and a 2.4 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma in neutered dogs as compared to intact males[10][11]

• Spaying and neutering is associated with an increase in urinary tract cancers.[12]

• Spaying and neutering dogs and cats increases the risk of Obesity.[13] In cats, a decrease in sex hormone levels seems to be associated with an increase in food intake.[14] In dogs, the effects of neutering as a risk factor for obesity vary between breeds.[15]

• Neutered dogs of both sexes have a 27% to 38% increased risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations. The incidence of adverse reactions for neutered and intact dogs combined is 0.32%[16]

• Neutered dogs have also been known to develop hormone-responsive alopecia (hair loss).[17]

• A 2004 study found that spayed and neutered dogs had a higher incidence of CCL rupture, a form of ACL injury[18]

to males

• About 2% of neutered male dogs eventually develop prostate cancer, compared to less than 0.6% of intact males.[19][20] The evidence is most conclusive for Bouviers.[21]

• In a study of 29 intact male dogs and 47 castrated males aged 11–14, the neutered males were significantly more likely to progress from one geriatric cognitive impairment condition (out of the four conditions – disorientation in the house or outdoors, changes in social interactions with human family members, loss of house training, and changes in the sleep-wake cycle) to two or more conditions. Testosterone in intact males is thought to slow the progression of cognitive impairment, at least in dogs that already have mild impairment.[22]

• As compared to intact males, male neutered cats are at an increased risk for certain problems associated with feline lower urinary tract disease, including the presence of stones or a plug in the urethra and urethral blockage.[23]

• Neutering also has been associated with an increased likelihood of urethral sphincter incontinence in males.[24]

zaksmum

I haven't any intention of getting my male dog Jack, who's 2, neutered. I don't see any need to as he's quite a timid little guy and doesn't seem remotely interested in the ladies either.

He's totally non aggressive and wants to be near me as much as possible so wouldn't be likely to go in search of lady dogs.

I'm leaving him as nature intended!

zebidee1

Our lab isn't neutered. He is a nervous dog who needs all the testosterone he can muster tbh. We sought professional (and very expensive!) advice from 2 vets and a behaviourist. All were of the opinion that for our dog in particular, neutering was really not an option to consider. It was felt that cutting off testosterone in a nervous dog would very likely end up with him becoming fear agressive.

He's 3 now and I'm confident the correct decision was reached. I've often wondered if he's the only gay lab in the village as he never seems to be interested in the female dogs he meets.

We researched a lot before making the final decision and I read a lot that supported either not neutering at all or doing it later than the recommended age of 6 months.

zaksmum

zebidee1 wrote: »

Our lab isn't neutered. He is a nervous dog who needs all the testosterone he can muster tbh. We sought professional (and very expensive!) advice from 2 vets and a behaviourist. All were of the opinion that for our dog in particular, neutering was really not an option to consider. It was felt that cutting off testosterone in a nervous dog would very likely end up with him becoming fear agressive.

He's 3 now and I'm confident the correct decision was reached. I've often wondered if he's the only gay lab in the village as he never seems to be interested in the female dogs he meets.

We researched a lot before making the final decision and I read a lot that supported either not neutering at all or doing it later than the recommended age of 6 months.

I think all male dogs have a bit of gay in them! My old dog was definitely of that persuasion...well, more bi really:rotfl:He'd happily frolic with the ladies if there were any around, but in their absence he'd be making eyes at the boy dogs...most of whom seemed to quite enjoy it all:eek:!!

And I quite agree that if your little fella is a bit short of testosterone and non macho, it's a bit cruel to have his bits off and remove what little he does have...!

ali-t

Having done a lot of reading on the issue and looking into the reasons for the spay/neuter revolution, I now wouldn't as a matter of course unless I had good reason. I consider myself to be a responsible dog owner and don't let my dogs run riot. they aren't latchkey dogs and I have control over them when they are outside.

the health risks that are highlighted in the pro-spaying/neutering materials are IMO over hyped and none of the protective factors involved in keeping dogs entire and not messing with nature are considered.

FWIW I don't believe in compulsory castration for humans just incase they happen to breed either

Mice_Elf

My mum's Border Terrier is neutered. One of his testes didn't descend, so they removed them. He was done at around 10 months, I think (don't quote me on that) and he's fine. He's now coming up to 10 this year & has none of the issues mentioned. He is overweight, but he's been on steroids most of his life to try to combat an allergy to which they can't find a cause...

downshifted

I had no idea there was this kind of debate. I am hoping to get a rescue pup idc and it will be a condition of the adoption that we have the pup neutered

suki1964

Im also of the "if its not broke dont fix it" brigade

My last lad wasnt interested in b1tches in season and was so laid back he was horizontal so it was something that never entered our minds to have done.

The lad I have now was driven crazy with just the whiff of a b1tch in season that as soon as he was fully matured he was done. He had other behaviour problems as well which we were told would settle - they never did - he still have them. He still humps ( so dont let people tell you that will stop either) but hes not stressed around girlie's now

And believe me, you have an entire male who is bothered by a female in season and you know about it.

CFC

I have never had a neutered dog. Years ago, most people didn't neuter males, just females. I did consider getting poochie done, but I like his personality the way it is, and he was a very nervous boy when we first had him. He's two years old now and has only just discovered the possiblity of humping...!
I think that the generally accepted view that 'all dogs should be neutered' is driven by rescues, who insist that all their animals should be done, which is fine as it is a condition of adoption. Their dogs, their rules. However I think that it has been applied to the wider population by what we might call 'dog activists', and I can understand why - however owners who do not keep their male dogs under control are also the ones who wouldn't tend to bother to consider whether to have them castrated anyway, so it strikes me it's a bit of preaching to the converted, which isn't a great deal of use.
I think every owner needs to make their own minds up. If I had a very large dog I might well feel differently.