CASTRATION AND HYSTERECTOMY MEDICAL FACTS

by Barbara (BJ) Andrews, TheDogPlace.org Publisher

Veterinary Associations reveal spaying or neutering significantly increases risk of deadly disease, stops production of vital hormones, shortens life span, and predisposes dogs to cancer, obesity, urinary, and orthopedic problems.

Neutering is castration.  Spaying is hysterectomy.  "Spay", "neuter", "get her fixed",  no matter what you call it, those non-threatening acronyms stop vital hormone production.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says “Mandatory spay/neuter is a bad idea.” AVMA is refreshingly honest because indeed, there are significant health problems associated with spay and neuter. Note: the AVMA has no political or financial agenda in going against the "animal rights" mantra.

The significant fact is that surgical sterilization is bad for dogs, good for veterinarians because the side effects of having reproductive organs removed (cancer, incontinence, dysplasia, etc) increases veterinary office income. The Veterinary Association is to be honored for putting pets before profit.

Of equal significance is the detrimental effects of the "spay and neuter" mantra chanted by "Animal Rights" veterinarians is a huge $$$ money-maker because it increases canine health problems!

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) minces no words in its policy statement “potential health problems associated with spaying and neutering have also been identified, including an increased risk of prostatic cancer in males; increased risks of bone cancer and hip dysplasia in large-breed dogs associated with sterilization before maturity; and increased incidences of obesity, diabetes, urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, and hypothyroidism.”

The Journal Of The American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) reports even more health risks in spayed and neutered dogs: "In a study of well over a million dogs, information on breed, sex, and age was collected and reported to the Veterinary Medical Database between 1964 and 2003. Results—Castrated male dogs were significantly more likely than other dogs to have hip dysplasia CHD) and spayed females were significantly more likely to have cranial cruciate ligament deficiency (CCLD)."

In yet another report, JAVMA states "Prevalence of HD and CCLD increased significantly over the 4 decades for which data were examined. There was no data reflecting the decade-by-decade increase but one might suspect that the significantly increased rate of spay and castration procedures may be a factor in the overall forty-year increase." June 15, 2008 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Spayed/Neutered Dogs May NOT Make The Best Family Pets!

While there are advantages to not having your female dog come into estrus ("season") twice a year, and a male dog that isn't obsessed with the female next door, it is wise to weigh those advantages against the potential suffering and shortened life span of hormone-deprived pets.  Owners should also consider the expense of treating medical problems resulting from spay and neuter.

The adverse effects of surgical neutering on puppies, obliquely referred to as “early-age spay/neuter" or  "juvenile spay/neuter" can be particularly devastating.  In addition to common problems associated with adult neutering, puppies may develop noise sensitivities, phobias, and other fear-based behavioral issues.  Removal of vital sex hormones through ovariohysterectomy or orchietomy on puppies is particularly egregious!

Another AMVA study noted an “Among male and female dogs with early-age gonadectomy, hip dysplasia, noise phobias, and sexual behaviors were increased" and also linked "...separation anxiety, escaping behaviors, inappropriate elimination when frightened…” to early sterilization.

These are not insignificant problems. Urinary incontinence will banish a dog to the outdoors and more often than not, to the shelter. Hip dysplasia, worsened by obesity, will compromise the value of a previously valued family dog.

Dogs with noise phobias, separation anxieties, and embarrassing sexual behaviors, owned by families of lesser means or smaller hearts, will be put to sleep or dumped at the pound.

If you must spay or neuter your dog...

hold off until after puberty and until growth plates have closed.  Even then do not be pushed by "animal rights" rhetoric, neighbors, friends, or unscrupulous veterinarians. For the health and mental development of your dog, wait until the first estrus cycle and male dog puberty (lifts his leg) has occurred. That will depend on the breed's growth rate.

Do not buy or adopt a surgically "altered" puppy

Thanks to the Animal Rights Extremists and the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS), none of which rescue, adopt, or shelter unwanted dogs, it is almost impossible to adopt a shelter puppy that isn’t already spayed or castrated. Dogs Be Damned!  Political Control is here.  Removing sexual organs before puberty may sound good to adoptive owners but spaying or castrating a dog has virtually no benefit to the animal.  None whatsoever. 

Unwanted pregnancy can be prevented by keeping your dog inside the home or securely fenced.  Both protect your dog and preserve your emotional health if you love your dog. By the way, an electric fence does not prevent other dogs from getting to your female dog!

Whether and When to have surgical sterilization performed should be up to the owner, not the government or local bureaucrats. Who knows more about your dog’s health than your veterinarian? Even though promoting early spay and neuter profits small animal veterinarians, honest, knowledgeable vets will advise against spaying or neutering puppies.  If you ask about loss of important growth and development hormones, the ethical vet will respect your knowledge and concerns.

Buy a puppy from a responsible breeder who is as knowledgeable as your good vet. Many breeders have also been a brainwashed into requiring all puppies to be spayed and neutered.  Explain that you will protect the puppy from being bred and that you want only to delay premature, risky removal of sex hormone organs, they will listen.

Send this article to anyone who doubts the health effects of early spay and neuter

Don't let them buy into the "adopt from a shelter" brainwashing.  By far, our healthiest, most reliable and predictable choice is a purebred puppy or retired adult from a knowledgeable breeder. Most shelters remove sex organs on all dogs regardless of age. THINK of the consequences of surgical sterilization in humans and that human health is then protected by hormone prescriptions.

The spay/neuter choice should be yours and it should be an informed choice, not an automatic compliance of something you don't understand, the results of which could keep you in and out of the vet's office for the lifetime of your pet!

Chris Zink DVM, PhD, DACVP explains castration and hysterectomy risks for the canine athlete, covering the subject in an easy to read format.

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