Epidemiology of surgical castration of dogs and cats in the United States

Trevejo, Rosalie T.; Yang, Mingyin; Lund, Elizabeth M.

doi:10.2460/javma.238.7.898

Cited by 84 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The overwhelming majority of companion dogs maintained in the U.S. are spayed or castrated (both referred to herein as neutered) [1]. Increasingly in the U.S. neutering is being performed early, demarcated in the present study as prior to one year of age.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers

et al. 2013

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In contrast to European countries, the overwhelming majority of dogs in the U.S. are neutered (including spaying), usually done before one year of age. Given the importance of gonadal hormones in growth and development, this cultural contrast invites an analysis of the multiple organ systems that may be adversely affected by neutering. Using a single breed-specific dataset, the objective was to examine the variables of gender and age at the time of neutering versus leaving dogs gonadally intact, on all diseases occurring with sufficient frequency for statistical analyses. Given its popularity and vulnerability to various cancers and joint disorders, the Golden Retriever was chosen for this study. Veterinary hospital records of 759 client-owned, intact and neutered female and male dogs, 1–8 years old, were examined for diagnoses of hip dysplasia (HD), cranial cruciate ligament tear (CCL), lymphosarcoma (LSA), hemangiosarcoma (HSA), and mast cell tumor (MCT). Patients were classified as intact, or neutered early (<12 mo) or late (≥12 mo). Statistical analyses involved survival analyses and incidence rate comparisons. Outcomes at the 5 percent level of significance are reported. Of early-neutered males, 10 percent were diagnosed with HD, double the occurrence in intact males. There were no cases of CCL diagnosed in intact males or females, but in early-neutered males and females the occurrences were 5 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Almost 10 percent of early-neutered males were diagnosed with LSA, 3 times more than intact males. The percentage of HSA cases in late-neutered females (about 8 percent) was 4 times more than intact and early-neutered females. There were no cases of MCT in intact females, but the occurrence was nearly 6 percent in late-neutered females. The results have health implications for Golden Retriever companion and service dogs, and for oncologists using dogs as models of cancers that occur in humans.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers

et al. 2013

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“…Neutering of dogs has become part of 'responsible ownership' in the United States, where the majority of owned dogs are neutered (Trevejo et al, 2011). Also, dogs are often neutered to bring about behavioural changes, for example, to reduce aggression in both sexes.…”

Section: Consistency Of Personality Traitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Personality of Dogs

2014

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“…Controlling the canine population has become an important issue for the United States, with the American Veterinary Medical Association identifying it as a societal welfare concern [3]. In the U.S., dogs are generally neutered after the age of 6 months and 64% of dogs are neutered [3]. In contrast to the U.S., some countries view neutering as an unnecessary or undesirable procedure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gonadectomy effects on the risk of immune disorders in the dog: a retrospective study

et al. 2016

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BackgroundGonadectomy is one of the most common procedures performed on dogs in the United States. Neutering has been shown to reduce the risk for some diseases although recent reports suggest increased prevalence for structural disorders and some neoplasias. The relation between neuter status and autoimmune diseases has not been explored. This study evaluated the prevalence and risk of atopic dermatitis (ATOP), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), canine myasthenia gravis (CMG), colitis (COL), hypoadrenocorticism (ADD), hypothyroidism (HYPO), immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA), immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lupus erythematosus (LUP), and pemphigus complex (PEMC), for intact females, intact males, neutered females, and neutered males. Pyometra (PYO) was evaluated as a control condition.ResultsPatient records (90,090) from the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis from 1995 to 2010 were analyzed in order to determine the risk of immune-mediated disease relative to neuter status in dogs. Neutered dogs had a significantly greater risk of ATOP, AIHA, ADD, HYPO, ITP, and IBD than intact dogs with neutered females being at greater risk than neutered males for all but AIHA and ADD. Neutered females, but not males, had a significantly greater risk of LUP than intact females. Pyometra was a greater risk for intact females.ConclusionsThe data underscore the importance of sex steroids on immune function emphasizing a role of these hormones on tissue self-recognition. Neutering is critically important for population control, reduction of reproductive disorders, and offers convenience for owners. Despite these advantages, the analyses of the present study suggest that neutering is associated with increased risk for certain autoimmune disorders and underscore the need for owners to consult with their veterinary practitioner prior to neutering to evaluate possible benefits and risks associated with such a procedure.

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Epidemiology of surgical castration of dogs and cats in the United States

Cited by 84 publications

References 18 publications

Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers

Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers

The Personality of Dogs

Gonadectomy effects on the risk of immune disorders in the dog: a retrospective study

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