Abstract

This research Definitions

article will
Cushings syndrome: a metabolic disorder caused by the overproduction of corticosteroid hormo
Gonads: an organ that produces gametes; a testis or ovary.
Ligate: to tie up or otherwise close off.
Spermatic cord: a structure formed by the vas deferens and surrounding tissue that runs from th
Spay hook: a surgical instrument with a curved end and a buttoned tip used to hook around the
Ovarian pedicles: a small stalk-like structure that connects the ovaries to the rest of the dogs bo

***gametes

The Negative Effects of Neutering

in Dogs
Natalie Rosales-Mendez
analyze the
negative
effects of neutering and spaying
canines,
both referred
to as neutering from here on out, with a specific focus on immune and joint disorders that can arise
from this surgery. The studies discussed in this paper will analyze these different diseases in specific
dog breeds that have either been neutered or left intact. The negative effects included are diseases
such as cancer, Cushings syndrome, joint disorders, and other immune disorders that lead to a
decreased life span. The essay will then go on to discuss statistics that support the argument being
made against neutering and will propose alternative methods of sterilization that do not remove the
hormone producing gonads.

Introduction
The exact term neutering refers to the procedure involving the removal of the reproductive organs.
In a male dog, the veterinarian makes a surgical incision near the scrotum. They pull out the testes
through the slit and ligate the spermatic cord containing blood vessels and ducts. They then are able
to remove the testes by excising them. In a female
dog (Figure 1), the procedure is more invasive. hook. They then tear off the ligaments that
The veterinarian cuts into the abdominal pelvic attach the ovaries to the body wall. The ovarian
cavity and searches for the ovaries using a spay pedicles are ligated and then cut off from the
 rest of the blood vessels in the body while the
lower part of the uterus is ligated and then cut
off from the cervix.
Figure 1
it is reported that neutering is avoided by health
authorities because of the negative health
effects that have been found from studies done
by a variety of animal experts (Hart 2014).
Based on their extensive research within the
past ten to fifteen years, it has been discovered
that neutering does more harm than good.
Most pet owners want to make sure they do
what is best for their dogs health, longevity, and
happiness. If they are educated on the neutering
procedure and the side effects caused, they will
be more determined to push for advancements
in the veterinary field. People should not alter
the anatomy of their pets purely for the sake of
convenience.

These procedures have been recommended by Study One:

veterinarians whether they be to control
behavioral issues in male dogs or limit the
increase in the animal population. It is often
claimed that neutering decreases cancer of the
prostate in male dogs and reduces cancer of the
mammary glands in female dogs. In the United
States, 83% of dogs are neutered (Hart 2014).
Obviously, it has become the most popular
procedure done on dogs. Yet, while it is highly
recommended to neuter pets, not enough
research
has been done to see the possible long-term
effects this kind of surgery could have on the
animals involved. In many European countries,
Methods
Four researchers studied the effects of neutering
on different cancers in both male and female
Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.
Their research was done over a period of 13
years and their data was collected on dogs
neutered before six months, between six and 11
months, at one year, and between two and eight
years. They conducted their research by
accessing medical records through the
Veterinary Medical Database where they studied
40,000 dogs. They also collected data from the
veterinary hospital records at the University of
California, School of Veterinary Medicine. The

Definitions
Veterinary Medical Database: a database
Cardiac hemangiosarcoma:
that has collected data
the most
on animal
common
diseases
tumorExcess
since
of the
1964
tibial
heart,
through
plateau
occursmember
angle:
in the joint
right
hospita
ang
atr
Prostate: a gland that produces and
Lymph
releases
nodes:
seminal
small swellings
fluid. in the lymphatic system
Cranial
wherecruciate
lymph ligament:
is filtered important
and lymph
Osteosarcoma: a type of bone cancer. Hip dysplasia: a disease of the hip in
article often references other studies, which will
be cited when used in this essay (Hart 2014).

Results
Based on their studies, the researchers found
that neutering increases the incidence of two
joint disorders and three cancers in Golden
Retrievers. They also reported that in Labrador
Retrievers, joint disorders tripled or quadrupled Figure 2
when neutered before six months. By studying
the rate of cancer in both breeds, the researchers
The researchers go on to discuss the joint
were able to find that the rate did not
disorders found in neutered dogs in a different
significantly change in neutered male dogs
study. By analyzing the data in the other article
while there was a huge change in the rate for
and their own data as well, they realized that
neutered female dogs during all periods of life.
removing the hormones produced by the gonads
The study goes on to disprove the widespread
during the joint developmental stage would
belief that neutering dogs will decrease the
disrupt the growth plates (Salmeri 1991). The
chances of mammary gland and prostate cancer.
alternate study discussed the several joint
In a different study that the researchers
disorders and how they are connected to weight
analyzed, little evidence in the statement that
gain. Neutering dogs causes them to gain
neutering helps prevent mammary gland cancer
weight, thus straining the joints and causing
was found; the occurrence of this cancer was
bone diseases. In larger dog breeds, more issues
still low in intact dogs (Beauvais 2012). Based
were found in the joints. In large neutered dogs,
on their own research from the Veterinary
the issue of excess tibial plateau angle (Figure
Medical Database, in male dogs, the removal of
2), which often leads to a torn cranial cruciate
the testosterone hormone actually increases the
ligament (Figure 4), increased two to three times
chance of prostate cancer by four times. They
while hip dysplasia doubled in neutered dogs
also concluded that several different cancers
(Salmeri 1991). The results of the studies
such as osteosarcoma and cardiac
reviewed by the authors as well as their own
hemangiosarcoma increased in risk for neutered
studies prove that neutering does have a
dogs as opposed to dogs who were still intact.
negative effect on the overall health of a dog.
The researchers also stated that enlarged lymph
nodes and lumps (masses) on the skin were
often found along with the diagnoses for cancer.
In Golden Retrievers, having hormone
producing gonads seemed to protect the breed
against cancer (Hart 2014).

Figure 3 (Hart 2014)

The chart above (Figure 3) shows the results
from the study. As shown, male dogs have more
issues with joint disorders, especially neutered
male dogs. Hip dysplasia (HD) affected 14.67%
of male dogs neutered under the age of six
months while only 2.63% of males were
affected when neutered at one year of age. Of
the male dogs who stayed intact, 4.07% were
affected. In female dogs, 9.78% were affected
when neutered under the age of six months.
When intact, 3.68% were affected and 0% were
affected when neutered at one year of age. This
goes to show that neutering dogs at a young age
greatly increases the chance of hip dysplasia
(Hart 2014).
them were affected when neutered under the age
of six months. When neutered at one year, or
left intact, 0% of female dogs were affected.
Either leaving the dog intact or neutering at one
year of age is healthier for both male and female
dogs (Hart 2014).
Study Two:
Methods
The four researchers from the study above did
another study on the effects of neutering on
dogs. Instead of the retriever breed, they studied
1,170 intact and neutered German Shepherds for
14.5 years. The dogs were studied until they
reached eight years of age. They followed
female German Shepherds until they were 11
years old because most mammary cancer
diagnoses happen after eight years of age. The
median age of diagnosis is 10.1 years. They
included the date of birth, neuter status and age
of neutering (if neutered) in the data collected in
order to have more accurate results. The
information was collected from veterinary
hospital records (Hart 2016).

Figure 4
Cranial cruciate ligament
tears or ruptures (CCL)
(Figure 4) were observed
in male dogs who were
neutered under the age of
six months to 11 months
more than dogs neutered at
one year or left intact. In
female dogs, 10.89% of
Results
German Shepherds are extremely susceptible to
diseases. They often suffer from joint disorders
and cancers such as osteosarcoma, lymphoma,
hemangiosarcoma and mast cell tumor. The
researchers state that neutering at any age
increased the rate of at least one of the cancers
Definitions
Lymphoma: a cancer of the lymphatic system.
Mast cell tumor: a cancer of a type of blood cell normally involved in the bodys resp
Urinary incontinence: the involuntary leakage of urine.
Pyometra: an infection in the uterus that occurs as a result of hormonal changes in t
by three to four times. They also found that, Teaching Hospital at the University of
along with joint disorders, female German California (Sundburg 2016).
Shepherds had more issues with urinary
incontinence when neutered. Based on the Results
results they discuss, neut- Based on their research, the results show that
the reproductive system and the immune system
ering should be held off for as long as possible are highly interdependent. Their article
until the dog is fully developed (Hart 2016). discusses that when the hormone producing
gonads are removed in male dogs, the
testosterone cannot be released from the
reproductive organs thus corticotestosterone
must be released from the adrenal glands. This
may lead to a higher risk of
hypoadrenocorticism. Female dogs will often
experience estrogen withdrawal. They specify
that neutered dogs are more likely to die from
cancer and immune-mediated diseases than
Figure 5 infections, trauma, and vascular diseases
(Sundburg 2016).
The chart above (Figure 5) shows the
percentages of urinary incontinence (UI) in
intact and neutered female dogs. Urinary
Defini
incontinence affected 0% of intact dogs while it
had a 7.22% affect on dogs neutered between Autoimmune disorder:
of new,a abnormal
disease ingrowth
which the
of tissue.
bodys immu
six and 11 months. Again, the data shows that Gonadectomy: surgical
Hypoadrenocorticism:
removal of the gonads.
a condition where t
Neoplasia: the formation
neutering at any age, especially at a young age
for female dogs when discussing this specific
disease, is not beneficial to dogs (Hart 2016).

Study Three:
Methods
A study by five veterinary researchers explores
the correlation between neutering and
autoimmune disorders. Even though
gonadectomies are highly recommended by
veterinarians, there has been a prevalence of
structural disorders and some neoplasias. Their
research was done over a period of 15 years and
they studied 90,090 patient records from the
William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical
Conclusion
Based on all of this information, even though
neutering is necessary in todays society, there
are definitely several long-term effects to
neutering. These effects are negative and
include diseases that can be life threatening and
greatly decrease the life span of dogs.
Unfortunately, shelters force pet owners to
neuter their dogs in order to prevent them from
over populating. Though their reasoning is
understandable and their intentions are good,
this kind of surgery is not always beneficial to
the pet. There needs to be more veterinarians
who will individualize their dog patient and
evaluate whether neutering would be beneficial
or detrimental to the overall health of the dog.
More research needs to be done on a healthy
and safe sterilization method for dogs so that
they do not have to go through extensive
procedures that remove important organs.
With all of this in mind, the responsibility now
falls on the owners. They need be educated in
standard veterinary practices and push for an
advancement. Many pet owners value their pets
love and company, so why not take it a step
further and make sure that their pets well being
is also valued? Neutering should not be done on
dogs, but until an alternate solution is found,
pet owners should decide what is best for their
individual dog in order to give them long and
healthy lives with their people.
References
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Hart B, Hart L, Thigpen A, Willits N. Long-
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Hart B, Hart L, Thigpen A, Willits N. Neutering
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disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence.
Veterinary Medicine and Science.
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