Mandatory desexing of dogs: one step in the right direction to reduce the risk of dog bite? A systematic review

D’Onise, Katina; Hazel, Susan J.; Caraguel, Charles

doi:10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042141

Cited by 22 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 56 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Review articles exist on the topic of desexing effects on canine behavior for both the effects of gonadectomy [5,196] and GnRH superagonist treatment [197]. Most studies on behavioral changes associated with desexing published thus far have been specific to male dogs, while comparably few of them have also included or focused on behavior in gonadectomized female dogs.…”

Section: Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A systematic literature review based on observational studies of dog bite risk concluded that five out of six of the articles considered showed that intact dogs were more likely than desexed dogs to cause bite injuries; however, the authors also concluded that the available data was insufficient to estimate the effect size, and that all studies considered were observational case-control studies rather than interventional studies [196]. All of these studies were based on dogs from the US and/or Canada, and in this context, as is the case for health outcomes, it should be considered that desexing may act as a proxy for overall better animal husbandry standards in these populations.…”

Section: Bite Injury Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature

Urfer

Kaeberlein

2019

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Desexing dogs is promoted for population control, preventative healthcare, and behavior modification. Common methods are orchiectomy and ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy. GnRH superagonist implants are available in some areas. Alternative methods like vasectomy and salpingectomy/hysterectomy are uncommon. The terminology used to describe desexing is inconsistent and contradictory, showing a need for the adaption of standardized terminology. Population Control: Surprisingly, empirical studies show no effects of desexing on population control in companion and shelter dogs despite desexing being consistently recommended in the literature. There is evidence for a population control effect in free-roaming dogs, where desexing also has benefits on zoonotic disease and bite risk. Population control in free-roaming dogs is mostly correlated with female, not male desexing. Health and Lifespan: Desexing affects numerous disease risks, but studies commonly neglect age at diagnosis and overall lifespan, age being by far the most important risk factor for most diseases. We argue that lifespan is a more important outcome than ultimate cause of death. A beneficial effect of desexing on lifespan is consistently demonstrated in females, while evidence for a beneficial effect in males is inconsistent. Studies are likely biased in desexing being a proxy for better care and desexed dogs having already lived to the age of desexing. Desexing reduces or eliminates common life-limiting diseases of the female reproductive system such as pyometra and mammary tumors, while no analogous effect exists in males. Disease risks increases across sexes and breeds include cruciate ligament rupture, various cancers, and obesity. Urinary incontinence risk is increased in females only. Various other disease risk changes show considerable variability between breeds and sexes. Behavioral Effects: Desexed males show reduced libido, roaming, conspecific mounting, and urinary marking frequency, as well as reduced male dog-directed aggression in a majority of males desexed for behavioral reasons. There is a detrimental effect on the risk and progression of age-related cognitive dysfunction. Desexed dogs may be less likely to cause bite injuries across sexes. The evidence for other effects such as human-directed aggression, human or object mounting, resource guarding, or shyness and anxiety is inconsistent and contradictory. There are few studies specific to females or individual breeds. Conclusions: The evidence for a beneficial effect of desexing is stronger in female than in male dogs; however, there is significant variation between breeds and sexes, and more research is needed to further elucidate these differences and to arrive at individualized evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.

show abstract

Section: Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Bite Injury Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature

Urfer

Kaeberlein

2019

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Indeed, following a systematic review of the literature D'Onise et al report consistent evidence that desexing dogs is associated with a reduced risk of dog bites. 8 However, while we had a higher number of intact males presented for traumatic proptosis, gender and neutering did not affect the likelihood of vision at the last recheck. Gilger et al also had a higher proportion of intact male patients in their study, but they did not analyze the effect of gender and neutering on outcome.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…The high number of sexually intact male dogs with proptosis is not surprising since intact male dogs are at a higher risk for trauma, as they tend to be more involved in dog fights. Indeed, following a systematic review of the literature D’Onise et al report consistent evidence that desexing dogs is associated with a reduced risk of dog bites . However, while we had a higher number of intact males presented for traumatic proptosis, gender and neutering did not affect the likelihood of vision at the last recheck.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Prognostic indicators and outcome in dogs undergoing temporary tarsorrhaphy following traumatic proptosis

Pe’er

Oron

Ofri

2019

Veterinary Ophthalmology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose Retrospectively evaluate prognostic indicators and outcome in dogs undergoing temporary tarsorrhaphy following traumatic proptosis. Methods Medical records (2004‐2017) were reviewed for signalment, cause and duration of proptosis, and clinical findings on admission. The operating faculty member, post‐operative medications, and ophthalmic findings at last recheck were recorded. Owners of dogs with blinded eyes were surveyed regarding final outcome and satisfaction. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact, Likelihood ratio, and Mann‐Whitney tests. Results At last recheck, 17.5 ± 7.3 (mean ± SD) days post‐operatively, vision was present in 12/43 eyes (28%). Vision at last recheck was not correlated with breed, cause or duration of proptosis, or post‐operative medications (P > .05), but was correlated with presence of direct and indirect pupillary light reflexes (PLRs) on admission (P = .001 and .02, respectively), and with assessment and surgery performed by veterinary ophthalmologists rather than surgery or emergency personnel (P = .015). Mean satisfaction scores (graded 0‐10) of 22 owners contacted 59.6 ± 48.2 months after last recheck were 7.8 ± 2.6 (n = 6), 5.7 ± 4.9 (n = 3), and 8.8 ± 1.3 (n = 13) for dogs with phthisical eyes, eyes requiring long‐term medications, and blind but otherwise normal eyes, respectively (P = .284). Conclusions Contrary to previous studies, breed, and cause and duration of proptosis, did not significantly affect outcome. Testing of direct and indirect PLR is a simple and significant prognostic indicator. Patients assessed and operated by a veterinary ophthalmologist have better prognosis.

show abstract

“…Other research pointed to unneutered male dogs as the most frequent perpetrators of bites [10,11], with castration reducing the risk [12]. Other dog traits linked to bites included the size of the dog, with larger dogs more likely to bite and with greater severity [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preventing Dog Bites: It Is Not Only about the Dog

Reese

Vertalka

2020

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Dog bites can have an array of negative health impacts on victims. Research focusing on the correlates of bites focused on limited sets of variables and produced conflicting findings. Objective: To expand knowledge about the correlates of dog bites by exploring a comprehensive set of variables related to the nature of the dog and the circumstances surrounding the bite not commonly explored in extant research. Methods: Data were drawn from police department reports of dog bites in the city of Detroit between 2007–2015; 478 dog bites were reported. Multiple regression was used to determine the significant correlates of dog bites, focusing on the nature of the dog and the circumstances surrounding the bite. Results: Bites were caused by a neighborhood dog. Thirty-two percent of the reports involved dogs running loose; 25% dogs that had escaped from a fenced or unfenced yard; 9% escaped from their home; and 8% had broken off a chain, were being walked, or were in their own home. Based on multiple regression, the victim was most likely bitten in their own yard by a single neighborhood dog that escaped from its home or yard. Breed of dog was not correlated with bites in multiple regression. Conclusions: The greatest risk of bites does not come from wandering feral dogs. Based on multiple regression, the victim was most likely bitten in their own yard by a single neighborhood dog that escaped from its home or yard. Human error often contributes to bites.

show abstract

Mandatory desexing of dogs: one step in the right direction to reduce the risk of dog bite? A systematic review

Cited by 22 publications

References 56 publications

Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature

Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature

Prognostic indicators and outcome in dogs undergoing temporary tarsorrhaphy following traumatic proptosis

Preventing Dog Bites: It Is Not Only about the Dog

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About