The science about spay or neuter is not settled. Nothing is as black and white as we were led to believe.

I’m going to say a few radical things in this post about procedures we all take for granted and consider in the best interest for our dogs. I’ll probably be burned in effigy by some. But what the hell….

If you read enough, you will find the traditional viewpoint of sterilization surgery being medically protective of our dogs against disease, is not as black and white as we would hope.

We’ve been told that spay and neuter surgery is how we can reduce the possibility of breast cancer, prostate cancer, etc. in our cotons as well as control the pet population. It sounds so good but there are conflicting studies out there.

Before I go into any detail, I want to state my position on this surgery for the pet population. I firmly believe that controlling the population of dogs and cats to a number that can be adequately cared for in this society is essential. Unwanted dogs and cats are a travesty. 

Some form of sterilization, at some point in a companion dog’s life, is usually the most common alternative for most people, though not a necessity.

I also question the WHY, WHEN and the WHAT needed to accomplish the task of controlling the population.

The “overpopulation” has been brought under control quite a while ago (except for the hundreds of thousands of imports deliberately brought in by pet traders for sale under the fantasy of being “rescued”). Responsible owners shouldn’t HAVE to spay or neuter if they can be responsible and avoid any “ooops” breedings. 

In order for these lovely dogs to be a part of our society, they are sacrificing more than you may realize, including their health.

But change comes slowly in established venues like veterinary or human medicine. So talking and asking questions, may eventually “turn the Titanic around” to a better course for our dogs.

I’ll See Your Prostate Cancer Study And Raise You A Cardiac Tumor Study

Did you know that early spay and neuter surgery of dogs can cause:

• Hemangiosarcoma, a highly malignant form of cancer, osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and transitional cell carcinoma (bladder cancer) in both sexes
• Prostatic cancer in male dogs
• Autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism in both sexes
• Urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections in females
• Obesity in both sexes
• Endocrine dysfunction, adrenal disease
• Delay in closure of the growth plates in the legs. This can cause the dog to grow taller than normal and cause skeletal imbalances in the bone.
• Increased incidence in ACL ruptures
• Hip Dysplasia in Golden Retrievers

There are plenty more studies out there if you do an internet search.

What To Do About Spay Or Neuter?

OK, by now you are pulling your hair out, screaming, “All I wanted was a DOG for chrissakes!! You know, put a plate of food down, a water bowl, they go play with the kids, sleep on the bed, chew a few shoes, and become part of the family! THIS IS JUST TOO MUCH TO THINK ABOUT!!”

Truly, I’m sorry. I feel your pain. And I’m not saying you have to do things differently than you are used to. I’m just saying this to the few folks that may be ready to re-think their position and able to take the extra steps necessary to protect their dogs from accidental breedings.

I do it to explain why I offer a greater flexibility to my puppy buyers than other breeders may be willing to do. Traditionally, dogs sold on a spay and neuter contract have the stipulation that the surgery needs to be done by 6 months of age.

I used to extend that to 24 months because a guesstimate is that the growth plates in the legs of a small to medium dog close at roughly 18 months. It also gives the dog normal hormone levels a little longer than traditionally. I have now removed the spay /neuter clause altogether. (Yes, I realize this is heresy!)

While the puppy you buy from me is still on a non-breeding contract, IF… IF…. IF you can be a responsible owner and keep your dog / bitch from breeding accidentally, you can keep your dog “intact” for his or her health for their entire life time, if you so chose. 

There are also alternative forms of sterilization as shown in the video at the end of this page. Not many vets do this surgery, but it is a possibility.

Realize that we are putting our dogs under anesthesia and having an elective surgery in many cases for owner convenience.  You don’t want to have the dog lift his leg. You don’t want to deal with blood during a bitch’s heat. You don’t want to have to rethink your routine to keep your bitch from accidentally getting pregnant.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t take into consideration what habits dogs have that you don’t want to live with. I’m just saying, realize that the medical rationale is not as strong as we once believed. So why DO you have this surgery done?

As an owner of a Yankee puppy, you are NOT REQUIRED to wait that long, I’m just giving you the option.

I’d prefer you waited, but you are the owner of the dog. It’s your choice.

Optional Methods to Spay Or Neuter

To stretch your perspective a little further, now that we’ve talked about the WHEN of spay and neuter surgery, be aware that there are several procedures that could be done in place of removing both the uterus and ovaries in the female or the typical castration in a male.

They are just not the usual methods performed in this country.

So I am also calling into question WHAT type of surgery is performed.

But I think you’ve reached your limit for the moment. I’ll leave that topic for another post…

Oh, what the heck… Here watch this.