Vets thoughts on Spaying a large breed pup

[Chelsea and Bailey]

So I've recently had a couple discussions on things my vet has told me (aka, struvite stones and changing foods) and there was one more that I wanted to research before posting and getting an opinion. At our last vet appt I asked when to bring Bailey in to get spayed (she is 12 1/2 weeks now and 22 Ibs!!). The vet replied that with a large breed dog (which I guess is what she will be) they suggest 9-10 months.  Honestly, I was a bit shocked as I had read lots of discussions and posts on here about when everyone had their pups spayed/neutered.  Sooo I decided I would check into it before deciding to go with her suggestion or pick another vet. 

 

I found this article, which is basically a literature review on many different studies on when to spay/neuter.

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInD...

 

It was interesting and the main points that I took from it where:

-Spaying before physically mature pre-disposes dogs to many unnecessary health risks.

-Spaying before 1 yr of age (or physical maturity) can significantly increase osteosarcoma (bone cancer) which is common in large breeds and has a poor prognosis - this also went along the lines of if spayed too soon it can mess up the way the bones grow, thus leading them to grow to longer creating stress on joints and tissues.

-Spay/neuter before 5 1/2 mo is assoc. with 70% increase age-adjusted risk of hip dysplasia then those spayed after the age

-dogs spayed under 5 1/2 mo were 2.76x more likely to develop chronic UTI's then those after- Spaying also contributing to an incidence rate of 4-20% of spay incontinence (difference in breed, size, age, etc). Spayed females have an increased risk of recessed vulva, vaginal dermatitis, vaginitis and UTI's if done before puberty.

 

So as I am left with this knowledge I am wondering what other thoughts are... I personally did not want to wait until 10mo of age for her to be spayed as for 1) it is more painful for them, 2) costs more, 3) can cause issues when going for walks or dog park...

These findings really are compelling though, especially when Bailey has already had UTI trouble.

Any thoughts comments would be appreciated!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

It was concluded that with respect to skeletal, physical, and behavioral development, the effect of neutering pups at 7 weeks old was similar to that of neutering pups at 7 months old.

[Jenny and Chester]

My breeder does not allow dogs, either male or female, to leave her property intact.  They are spayed/neutered at 8 weeks.  My dog does indeed have long limbs and I have been uber careful about not stressing his growth plates with running.  I would have liked to have waited until 6 months, but it was not an option.  As for all the other complications, I guess time will tell.

[jessica (Rufus)]

very good question cause rufus is 7 months and he is going in a couple of weeks to get fixed i was debating ..it as well if i should hold off ????

[Camilla and Darwin]

I was confused for a bit but realized you most have posted on the wrong discussion. My little brother used to potty outside. In my parent's sand volleyball court. He wasn't copying a dog though... he is just weird. LOL, kids...

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My vet recommended 6 months and Vern is definitely large. He is now 80 pounds. I think he was around 40 pounds when he had the surgery.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Cooper was spayed before she came to us at 9 weeks. her growth is fine and so far has had no problems. i think spaying/neutering early is the most responsible thing to do to prevent unwanted/unplanned puppies.

 

I have heard from many people (but dont know the source) that waiting for them to develop causes an increased chance of certain cancers (especially in females)

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

i have had a quick look over the article mentioned...


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

On the positive side, spaying female dogs
• if done before 2.5 years of age, greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors, the most common
malignant tumors in female dogs
• nearly eliminates the risk of pyometra, which otherwise would affect about 23% of intact female
dogs; pyometra kills about 1% of intact female dogs
• reduces the risk of perianal fistulas
• removes the very small risk (≤0.5%) from uterine, cervical, and ovarian tumors

On the negative side, spaying female dogs
• if done before 1 year of age, significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer); this is a
common cancer in larger breeds with a poor prognosis
• increases the risk of splenic hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 2.2 and cardiac hemangiosarcoma by
a factor of >5; this is a common cancer and major cause of death in some breeds
• triples the risk of hypothyroidism
• increases the risk of obesity by a factor of 1.6-2, a common health problem in dogs with many
associated health problems
• causes urinary “spay incontinence” in 4-20% of female dogs
• increases the risk of persistent or recurring urinary tract infections by a factor of 3-4
• increases the risk of recessed vulva, vaginal dermatitis, and vaginitis, especially for female dogs
spayed before puberty
• doubles the small risk (<1%) of urinary tract tumors
• increases the risk of orthopedic disorders
• increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations


To be honest, most risks seem to be pretty small, and im still doubtful to the claim of increased obesity. I still advocate early spays - not necessarily as early as my dog was - I understand the reasons behind that though and am ok with that. But certainly before they mature

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Both my guys are large (90lbs) and extra large (vet guesses around 100-110 when full grown) and they I was told to wait until 10-14 months being around when their growth plates have fused and all the other reasons you mentioned. I have also heard that you should wait until 18 months for extra large breeds, my boys are half Bernese Mountian dog so one vet felt that meant I should wait that long. That being said I just switched vets and the new vet is appalled that I waited until 12months for Loki and that Moose, who is now 8months, hasn't been fixed yet. Like others have said I feel like everyone has a different opinion. On a personal note I agree with Adina that if I had a female dog I don't know that I could wait that long with their cycles and all that.