When should I get my dog spayed/neutered?
Great question! This is actually a current hot topic in veterinary medicine. Our knowledge of surgery and physiology is always advancing, so our recommendations may change as we learn more about how dogs work and what is best for each size and breed. As things currently stand, there are two appropriate options, each of which has pros and cons. We’re here to help you make an educated decision on what is best for your pet and your lifestyle.
Young Spay/Neuter
What: Spay/neuter is performed prior to your pet going through puberty. This is the more traditional approach.
When: Ages 4-6 months
Reasons we might recommend it:
- Less risk associated with surgery
- Less risk of blood loss since heavy blood flow to these organs only occurs after puberty
- Quicker surgery results in less anesthesia time.
- Faster recovery from surgery and less pain during recovery because of small incisions.
- Easier, faster, safer surgery results in a lower cost than if the dog is fully mature.
- Females will never go through a heat cycle
- It eliminates the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer completely. The risk of breast cancer increases for females with every heat cycle they go through. It also decreases the risk of hemangiosarcoma (blood vessel cancer) in golden retrievers.
- Less mess – female dogs do have bloody vaginal discharge during their heat cycles.
- No risk of unplanned pregnancy (male dogs are crafty!). The cost of raising puppies to be sold can range from $1000-3000 depending on the number of puppies in a litter and if the mom or the babies have unexpected medical needs (c-section, eclampsia, etc).
- Pyometra (life-threatening uterine infection) may occur after any heat cycle.
- Males will not develop masculine tendencies
- Testosterone linked behaviors are learned and will continue if they are practiced enough even after neutering occurs. Some of these behaviors include mounting objects and people, fighting or defending territory, and marking (inappropriate urination).
- Statistically, intact (un-neutered) males are more likely to be hit by cars, bitten by snakes, and get into dog fights. Testosterone is a powerful influencer and may prevent some dogs from making well thought out decisions, especially if there is a female in heat within a 3-mile radius.
- Statistically, pets spayed and neutered at a young age live longer
- Males neutered young live 13.8% longer
- Females spayed young live 26.3% longer
Adult Spay/Neuter
What: There are a couple of studies that suggest that in dogs of some sizes or breeds that waiting until full-size maturity may have several health benefits.
When: 10 months for small breeds, 12 months for medium breeds, 18 months for large breeds, and 24 months for giant breeds
Reasons we might recommend it:
- Less risk of joint disease
- In Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, there has been research that may suggest that waiting until full maturity may decrease the risk of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cranial cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. While it’s not a guarantee that waiting to spay or neuter your prevent orthopedic disorders, it may reduce their risk.
- Not many breeds have been specifically studied at this time, but we can make cautious extrapolations that other breeds may experience the same reduction in risk.
- Genetics also play a large role in orthopedics, so if a pet is at risk for hereditary joint or ligament issues, we may try to mitigate risks by delaying the spay/neuter.
- Less risk of bone cancer in certain breeds
- Rottweilers may have a decreased risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) if they are spayed or neutered as adults. At this time, this hasn’t been proven in any other breeds studied (Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Great Danes, and Vizslas have been studied with no link found to spaying/neutering and osteosarcoma). Just as stated above, delaying spaying/neutering does not totally prevent osteosarcoma, but it may decrease the risk.
- Difficulties housebreaking
- Puppies can be difficult to train to urinate outside and some may need longer developmentally to be able to control their urinary habits. In dogs that continually have urinary incontinence as young puppies, it can be beneficial to allow for physical maturity before spaying/neutering.
Conclusion
Overall, there is no “right” answer. There are benefits to each option, so an informed decision must be made individually for each pet based on their size, breed, and environmental risk factors. We are happy to work with you for whichever fits best for your pet and family. Please call 770-253-3416 or emails us at [email protected] to schedule or get further details.