Early Spay and Neuter- Evidence Based Challenge

[Julie and Charlie]

Due to a few comments on a topic in "Puppy Madness", I was challenged (encouraged?) to add a discussion about ES&N. I know this topic has been discussed before, but as I see it, many of the opinions are anecdotal--"my dog has this" or "my vet said this" aren't quite what I am looking for.

That said, what are the most recent evidence-based studies and experts saying about the health impacts of pediatric spay and neuter? I honestly haven't seen enough published evidence to sway my opinion either way- perhaps I am not looking in the right places.

Note: I am not trolling for an argument, but trying to gather some well reasoned information from people that I have come to respect a great deal, even though I only know you through your posts on DK.

EDIT: I included the Whole Dog Journal article that got me thinking about this topic.

Whole Dog Journal Article

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

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

http://www.danesonline.com/earlyspayneuter.htm

and here is a list of published articles on ES&N

http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/SpayNeuter09/web.shtml

Most articles/research studies,  are very recent and may help you make an informed choice.  Good Luck

As for the article you posted, for me, it is not a scientific paper but a conclusion of one person's opinion but I just glanced at the article at this time.  There were no references, no facts/figures/clinical research data, etc

As for me, I waited until almost 8 months.   Just my personal preference from my readings,  however many dog owners have  no choice. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sandy, I know why they do it. It certainly remains an ethical dilemma.  I remember all that you went through with Hattie   :(   

Just putting the research articles out there. There are many and she was only able to find a magazine article with no citations or research data.

From what I remember there certainly are pros and cons to both.  The owner/buyer/seller has to make an informed decision. 

[Julie and Charlie]

DK ate my comment! Anyway, I've read many of the studies/articles that come up on Google, including the ones in veterinary journals. It seems the jury is still out to me, that's all.

[Julie and Charlie]

And, that article is just what you are saying- an opinion without much evidence attached. That's why it got me thinking.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

all the links I supplied to you are research.  The third link has several articles from various parts of the continent and I found them rather recently published. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes, I did wait and I would wait again.  No question in my mind

[DJ & Chance]

I am waiting until my pup Chance is 8 months old to have him fixed.  From what I have read and gleaned from research, this is a better option for the bone health of my dog.

[Jen and Annie]

Annie is 8 months old, and for her - we will be waiting until after she's had her first cycle. She has an inverted vulva which should become an extrovert (LOL) after her first cycle. If we were to spay her with an inverted vulva - it would stay inverted and set her up for a lifetime of urinary tract issues. As it is, we have to clean her with a baby wipe every day to prevent bacteria from settling in the area. I also read the naiaonline article, and found it compelling. I think there is something to be said about letting the puppy grow into maturity before sterilizing them. THis is another hot topic that is debated on both sides of the fence... The points about skeletal growth also had me supporting my decision to wait with her. I have a female boxer that went 10 years before we had her fixed - and we did spay her at 10 years old to prevent pyometra, which is common in older unaltered females. We won't be waiting that long with Annie, but will let her grow up first.

[Zee Ruff]

We just found out our 9 week old Goldendoodle has an inverted vulva and we are having the hardest time house-training her. She was urinating every 20 to 30 minutes inside and outside the house. She is now on an antibiotic and is going less often but continues going in the house after we bring her back inside. I am , also, wiping her with wipes. I am so frustrated and can't not decide if it is from the inverted vulva or something else. Did you have this problem? Our vet said that after her first heat cycle it may fix on its own without surgery.

[Jen and Annie]

We go through the 'wiping' after every potty as well.  BUT at 9 weeks old, your lady is still so young, and probably also has a very small bladder.  We kept Annie in her crate for short time periods, so that she would be forced to hold it, also strengthening her bladder.  Not too long - we only crated her for about 2 hours at a time, when she was 11 - 12 weeks old.  Any longer than that, and she may have had an accident, which we didn't want to happen in her crate. As soon as we came out of the crate - we would pick her up and take her right outside to pee (we did not let her walk out, lest she try to squat on the way out).  BIG PARTY for ANNIE when she went potty outside.  We were able to potty train her for the most part - within about 2-3 weeks of getting her home.  We had about 3-4 accidents over the 4 months following potty training, but those were our fault - not Annie's.  

Annie's breeder started her on potty training with puppy pads, which I think can actually make potty training more difficult, because they don't have to hold it - they can just walk to the puppy pad and do a pee whenever they feel the urge.  Take her outside to pee:  after you play, after she eats, after she drinks, when she wakes up.  Those are the most likely times.  Good luck to you - she will get it in time, and once that little bladder grows a little more.

[Theresa Washburn]

I totally agree with you on potty pads.... or paper training.  When we brought our "Miss Betty" home the breeder said she was paper trained.  Little did I realize that was a bad thing.  We have had her for two months now (she is 4 months)  and finally we got through the retraining.  We were very frustrated.  And we think she was not introduced to the crate either.  Well, we got through it and she is doing 90% better.  I can now see in her eyes shes got it.  Retraining is really hard.  If ever we would get another (not) I would ask if the puppy was paper trained or had early crate introduction.  We felt like a failure many a times and my mind was in mommy puppy fog. All is well now.  The only thing I regret is we had to retrain in snow here and it was hard to keep the potty area in one place.  I would recommend shoveling an area and staying in that area.

Hard to do early in the am.  

[Zee Ruff]

Thanks. We will try that today!