Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our vet has recommended we spay our puppy Sam, as she'll soon be 6 months old. But the breeder gave us a couple of articles against early spaying, they can be found here: http://caninesports.com/. One of the articles cites increased cancer risk with spaying, among other problems, but also notes increased risk for breast cancer without spaying. He says breast cancer is much more treatable than hemangiosarcoma or osteosarcoma and so he recommends waiting until 14 months old.
Now in my ill-informed opinion, it seems to me that a growing puppy would need all those hormones and things to develop properly. But what do I know?
I'm just wondering if anyone has researched this. If not, I'll try to spend some time on it and let you all know what I find...but it is SUMMERTIME and hours on the internet is more of a January-in-Chicago activity. So any bits of information would be helpful.
Thanks!
Jan
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
My knowledge is that the information on this issue is still evolving. We recently had a dog in rescue with a growth plate problem in a front leg and the vet recommended that the spay be delayed until the dog was more fully developed. I also understand that very early spays (at 8 weeks) can cause an increase in incontinence later in life. You can hear many different opinions on this issue, and Dr. Pam should have some things to contribute on this one.
Ralph
Mattie asked that question awhile back and Dr. Pam jumped in... here's the topic:
http://tripawds.....8;search=1
I dunno myself - the shelter doesn't give you a choice. They just do it.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
When we got our Shepherd/Husky mix Sammy from the shelter at about 14-15 weeks old, the counselors at the Humane Society said that "early" spay/neuter is recommended by the ASPCA and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Of course, the shelter doesn't let you take an animal home until it's been altered, so it's in their best interest to do early surgeries!
Research-wise, I found a very nice summary of a bunch of journal articles discussing pediatric spay/neuter. The studies, including one that's 25 years old and hasn't been challenged, seem to suggest that there's no problem with it. Interestingly, a 1995 study quoted in this page suggests that early altering may actually lead to increased adult size, which is contrary to the study that you posted. (The quantitative research geek in me finds it fascinating!)
I'll be interested to see what other research people share!
Julie, mom to Spirit Max the Pomeranian,
the bravest poofle dog who ever lived!
Dang! How did I miss that thread! Too tired (or is it lazy?) to scrub all the hits, I guess.
Thanks for thread and for the summary, very interesting. Actually, the "One Vet's Opinion" article stated that spayed puppies grew taller than than the unspayed ones. So at least two studies are in agreement on that. The findings on behavior flew in the face of everything I've heard anecdotally so I think Ralph is right - information is still evolving.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
I think it is much more important to delay the spay in a large or giant breed dog. I think that for a Lab sized dog waiting 1 year would be about right and I would spay a giant breed at 18 months. If they go through only 1 heat cycle the risk of breast cancer is still very low. Of course you have to have a responsible owner who won't let the dog get pregnant in the interim!
Julian is 16 months old now and weighs 195# and he is definitely not done growing so I am going to wait and neuter him at 2 years of age.
Pam
Thank you Pam, we will wait.
195 lbs! That's a lotta dog! : )
Jan
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
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