A literature review on the welfare implications of gonadectomy of dogs

Houlihan, Kendall E.

doi:10.2460/javma.250.10.1155

Cited by 40 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 101 publications

(315 reference statements)

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“…Recent publications have suggested that the risks of prepubertal gonadectomies may outweigh the benefits in owned large-breed dogs, particularly in orthopaedic diseases. 43,44 A retrospective study in 2014 concluded that prepubertal gonadectomy of Golden Retrievers had a three to five times higher incidence of developing joint diseases than intact dogs. 45 These authors followed with an additional study, 46 reporting that German Shepherd Dogs gonadectomized before 12 months of age had an increased risk for cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency compared with sexually intact dogs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Average Tibial Plateau Angle of 3,922 Stifles Undergoing Surgical Stabilization for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Fox¹,

Dycus²,

Leasure³

et al. 2020

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol

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Objective The aim of this study was to report the average tibial plateau angle (TPA) from a large sample of dogs and to determine if breed or gonadectomy had a significant association with abnormal TPA. Study Design This was a retrospective case study. Materials and Methods Medical records from 2006 to 2015 were reviewed for dogs that were diagnosed with cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture and underwent dynamic surgical stabilization. Signalment, examination findings, preoperative TPA and surgical report were reviewed. Results A total of 3,249 dogs underwent CrCL stabilization surgery from 2006 to 2015. Of the 3,249 dogs, 3,054 dogs met the inclusion criteria for a total of 3,922 stifles to be evaluated. The average preoperative TPA was 29° ± 3.7°. Average breed-specific preoperative TPA ranged from 27° to 35.1°, with four breeds having significantly lesser TPA and four breeds significantly greater TPA than the overall mean of dogs. Neutered dogs had a higher TPA of 28.87° ± 3.8° than non-neutered dogs with an average TPA of 26.88° ± 4.0°, p < 0.001. There was not a significant difference in average TPA between females and males, regardless of the neuter status. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance Our reported preoperative TPA in a large sample of dogs is higher than what has been previously published. In reviewing 3,922 stifles, the average preoperative TPA was 29°. We report the average preoperative TPA in specific breeds and report that neutered dogs have a significantly higher TPA than intact dogs. This updated information may guide clinicians in management decisions regarding treatment for CrCL rupture.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Average Tibial Plateau Angle of 3,922 Stifles Undergoing Surgical Stabilization for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Fox¹,

Dycus²,

Leasure³

et al. 2020

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol

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“…Most of the reproductive system abnormalities recorded in this study were mammary tumours or mammary hyperplasia. In the past it was believed that neutering reduces the risk of mammary tumours in female dogs, but the evidence supporting this claim is of variable quality [31,32].…”

Section: Catchmentioning

confidence: 99%

TeamMate: a longitudinal study of New Zealand working farm dogs. I. Methods, population characteristics and health on enrolment

Isaksen

Linney²,

Williamson³

et al. 2020

BMC Vet Res

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Background: Working farm dogs are invaluable on New Zealand sheep and beef farms. To date no study describing farm dog population and health has included information about incidence of illness and injury, or risk factors affecting health and career duration. This paper describes the methodology and initial results from TeamMate, a longitudinal study that was designed to address this gap. We describe the study population, husbandry practices, and prevalence of clinical abnormalities on enrolment. Methods: Data about the farms, owners, husbandry practices and dogs were collected on farm at approximately 6month intervals. All dogs over 18 months old and in full work were enrolled. Dogs were given physical examinations by veterinarians. On examination all abnormalities were noted, regardless of clinical significance. Results: Six hundred forty-one working farm dogs and 126 owners were enrolled from the South Island of New Zealand. Forty-nine percent of dogs were Heading dogs (314 of 641) and 48% Huntaways (308 of 641). Median age of dogs was 4 years (range 1.5-14) and median body condition score (BCS) was four on a 9-point scale (interquartile range (IQR) 3-5). Fifty-four percent of dogs were male (345 of 641), and 6% (41 of 641) were neutered. Eighty-one percent of owners (102 of 126) fed dogs commercial biscuits and meat sourced on farm. Forty-four percent of dogs (279 of 641) had bedding in their kennel, 14% (55 of 393) had insulated kennels, 69% (442 of 641) had been vaccinated and 33% (213 of 641) were insured. Clinical abnormalities were found in 74% of dogs (475 of 641). Common abnormalities involved the musculoskeletal system (43%, 273 of 641), skin (including scars and callouses; 42%, 272 of 641), and oral cavity (including worn and broken teeth; 35%, 227 of 641). Conclusions: Our results expand on those from previous surveys and indicate that musculoskeletal illness and injury, and skin trauma are the most commonly seen clinical abnormalities in working farm dogs. These results will provide a baseline for investigation of incidence and risk factors for illness, injury, retirement and death in New Zealand working farm dogs.

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“…A causal relationship was not postulated and until the end of the century, castration was widely believed to be the most appropriate treatment for any prostatic condition. However, over the last 20 years, there has been increased attention to the health consequences of gonadectomy in small animals and also CPN has been regarded as being influenced by castration in many reviews [9,10,12,14,41,42]. The sample size, number of dogs with CPN and CDI varies considerably among retrospective studies (Table 1).…”

Section: Role Of Neuter Statusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, a definitive explanation of how the lack of gonadal hormones may influence the development of neoplasia in reproductive or non-reproductive tissues has yet to be provided. Several reviews have been published over the years on the advantages and disadvantages of gonadectomy in dogs [9][10][11][12][13]. However, two factors have had an impact on the quality of these publications: editorial limitations of the publication's length and the tendency to report only the odds ratio, without considering the study design and the conclusions drawn by the authors of the cited publication [10,12,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several reviews have been published over the years on the advantages and disadvantages of gonadectomy in dogs [9][10][11][12][13]. However, two factors have had an impact on the quality of these publications: editorial limitations of the publication's length and the tendency to report only the odds ratio, without considering the study design and the conclusions drawn by the authors of the cited publication [10,12,14]. Therefore, the role of neuter status on the development of canine prostatic neoplasia has been considered as a risk factor not only for prostatic neoplasia but also for other neoplastic disorders in male dogs, rising concerns on whether or not elective gonadectomy in dogs should be regarded as a safe procedure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prostatic Neoplasia in the Intact and Castrated Dog: How Dangerous is Castration?

Schrank

Romagnoli

2020

Animals

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Elective gonadectomy in the dog is a topic of interest for clinicians, pet-owners, and society. Although canine prostatic neoplasia (CPN) has a low incidence (0.35%), reports of an increased risk for castrated dogs attract attention and cause concern in pet-owners. Our aim is to provide professionals and non-professionals with a detailed description of this possible side effect of gonadectomy in the dog. The mean age at diagnosis of CPN ranges from 8.5 to 11.2 years. Medium to large size breeds are more frequently affected. Symptoms and findings of non-invasive examinations are not pathognomonic, therefore, cytological or histological examinations are needed for diagnosis. Overall, the incidence of metastasis reaches up to 80%, yet lung metastasis reportedly has no negative impact on median survival time (MST). It has been reported that castrated males have a significantly higher MST than intact males. Differences in inclusion criteria for studied populations make a comparison of studies difficult. Citation of odds ratios without consideration of the context of the reference may result in premature conclusions. We conclude that elective gonadectomy of adult male dogs under six years of age cannot be excluded from the veterinary practice due to concern of causing CPN until clear and strong evidence is available.

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A literature review on the welfare implications of gonadectomy of dogs

Cited by 40 publications

References 101 publications

Average Tibial Plateau Angle of 3,922 Stifles Undergoing Surgical Stabilization for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Average Tibial Plateau Angle of 3,922 Stifles Undergoing Surgical Stabilization for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

TeamMate: a longitudinal study of New Zealand working farm dogs. I. Methods, population characteristics and health on enrolment

Prostatic Neoplasia in the Intact and Castrated Dog: How Dangerous is Castration?

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