Post Early Spay Neuter Research Findings Here

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Potential puppy owners are often confused about the health impact of Early Spay Neuter (ESN) -- a practice widely used by ALD breeders.  It is a controversial subject but the evidence is growing about its negative impact on our dogs' long-term health. Here is a 2013 study from UCDavis on golden retrievers.  There's also a related link in the article about the difference of ESN on Labrador Retrievers vs Golden Retrievers.

http://news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=10498

I know we've discussed this in multiple places, but I hope others who have done their own research will post or repost links here in one central place to make it easier for potential puppy owners to find up -to -date info and make an informed decision when selecting a breeder.  I think a warning -- or at least a link to this research -- should be included in our recommended breeder guidelines.  DKers are the best at looking out for the welfare of our dogs so please share.

 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Yes, they continue to praise the "benefits" taking none of this info into account. They fail to mention that your pup would still get those "benefits" if desexed at the appropriate age. The ASPCA endorses ESN for pups as early as 8 weeks - the younger the better.  The Humane Society is a little more ambiguous about age but they say that many vets will do it as young as 8 weeks. I've noticed that Humane Society organizations differ on this by state. The Atlanta Humane Society, for example,  recommends you consult your vet to decide the best time. I also believe (if memory serves), that it was the Humane Society that first wrote the public policy endorsing ESN, although the person who wrote it, eventually admitted it was a mistake and a debate within the organization followed.   That may account for the difference in policy by state. The goal of both organizations is to reduce the number of unwanted animals so I expect this will continue on a broad scale for economic reasons that are different from breeders. My hope in posting this discussion though is that DK members will post any new information they come across and that we get something into the guidelines for finding a breeder…since most people will go there, not to this discussion.  Sorry to hear about your son's pup but hopefully he stays healthy and it's great that he has such a loving extended family :)

[Nancy & Echo]

You are right;  I think it would be very helpful to add this to the breeder guidelines.  At least me as a newbie  (no prior dog experience) looked at the DK guidelines for finding a breeder.  I thought (before this discussion) that since the ALCA required it, and that our local shelter did it, that ESN must be OK.

I knew one dog owner waited until a female dog had her first heat before desexing her, and knew that in humans that puberty started the process of bone closure, but I didn't put 2 + 2 together.

Thank you for starting this discussion.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks for participating, Nancy. Most of us are/were clueless. You've made it a better discussion and I can't wait until you get your doodle pup.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Clueless, or trustful, or wanting to justify a decision already made - all reasons not to learn. But for those who take the time to absorb enough information and thus make their own educated decision, kudos to you!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks, he is a love and worth whatever it might cost to keep him healthy, but it is one more thing to 'worry' about.

[Amy and Annabelle]

My former vet did not do spay/neuter on smaller breed dogs until 6 months and large breed were 9 months I believe. But since Annabelle was small she had hers done at 6 months. He has since retired and I am not sure what the new owners views are on it. He made no exceptions, unless in the rare event the dogs health depended on it. His name is still on the practice, so you would think he would have made sure in the deal, they either shared the same views or changed the name. I'm sure doggy day cares and boarding facilities demand that your dog be desexed. They wouldn't want to be libel for a dog getting pregnant.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

More interesting information here for those investigating ESN...
http://www.caninesports.com/uploads/1/5/3/1/15319800/spay_neuter_co...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Wow!  Thanks for posting this.  This article actually promotes not neutering your dog at all with nods to vasectomies and a 'perhaps' to removing the uterus.  I want my dogs to be healthy, but I think I will continue to neuter them in the normal fashion - the 'when to neuter' is more what I am after.

[charlotte bednarsh]

Hi all, I just saw this conversation on ESN and am hoping we will continue this important dialogue;  as many of you know my beloved labradoodle, Paz, was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, at age 5 yrs 10 month;  I got Paz from a breeder who neutered Paz at 8 weeks, and at that time, I had no idea it may have been a poor choice. Paz is being treated by a wonderful oncologist, and is in remission.....thank goodness.   I have discussed the issue of ESN with the oncologist, and whereas the oncologist is a strong  proponent of spay/neuter, he would not do it before a puppy is approximately 8 months of age, depending upon the individual puppy.  He strongly believes it is important to spay or neuter a dog to prevent behavioral/health problems, but would not do so at 6 -8 weeks.  Given my current situation with my beloved Paz, I would not consider a breeder who would not be willing to include a spay/neuter contract in which I would agree to spay/neuter the dog when the vet deemed it appropriate and I would be willing to give an extra deposit that would be refunded when I provided proof of spay/neuter.  Although I recognize the ESN studies need to be expanded, I do feel there is sufficient reason to delay spay/neuter until a knowledgable vet feels it is appropriate.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Well said, Charley.  Sweet Paz and Finn are the poster children for just say NO (along with others here). My vet believes the same.  Adina changed the good breeder guidelines to include a warning but we need to spread the word. It all sounded good when I got FInn.  I wouldn't have to go through all those emerging sexual behaviors, caring for him after the operation, etc. BUT I would never purchase a pup again that had been spayed or neutered prior to my bringing him home.  It's a common practice with ALD breeders but I hope it will change.  They spend hundreds of dollars on health testing and then expose their beautiful pups to other health risks through ESN at 6 to 8 weeks. Like others, I support saying or neutering your dog BUT at the appropriate time. I hope ESN studies are expanded -- especially focusing on 6-8 week practice. 

[charlotte bednarsh]

Cheryl, I believe that at the end of the day, breeders' profits are driven by consumer demand and if enough of us spread the word about the potential risks of ESN, it is my hope that at some point the breeders will respond to our concerns.  Additionally, if a reliable breeder is screening the buyers, a "boiler plate "contract can be developed, whereby the buyer will agree to pay an additional fee that will be refunded when the buyer provides the breeder with proof of spay/neuter.  I will always follow the advice of a knowledgeable vet who is taking care of my puppy, as to the best time for the puppy to be neutered/spayed.  Cheryl, your wonderful Finn and my beloved Paz are definitely the poster children for the potential health issues that may result from ESN. I would never expose another puppy to ESN and would only select a breeder who was willing to let my personal vet determine the best time for spay/neuter.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for contributing here, both of you. We have been lucky in getting our dogs without ESN contracts, however I would now wait even longer before neutering than I have been.