The Negative Effects of Neutering in Dogs

Natalie Rosales-Mendez

Abstract
This research article will analyze the negative effects of neutering and Definitions
spaying canines, both referred to as neutering from here on out, with a
Cushings syndrome: a metabolic
specific focus on immune and joint disorders that can arise from this disorder caused by the
surgery. The studies discussed in this paper will analyze these different overproduction of corticosteroid
hormones by the adrenal cortex.
diseases in specific dog breeds that have either been neutered or left
Gonads: an organ that produces
intact. The negative effects included are diseases such as cancer, gametes; a testis or ovary.
Cushings syndrome, joint disorders, and other immune disorders that Ligate: to tie up or otherwise
close off.
lead to a decreased life span. The essay will then go on to discuss Spermatic cord: a structure
statistics that support the argument being made against neutering and formed by the vas deferens and
will propose alternative methods of sterilization that do not remove the surrounding tissue that runs from
the deep inguinal ring down to
hormone producing gonads. each vesicle.
Spay hook: a surgical instrument
with a curved end and a buttoned
Introduction
tip used to hook around the
The exact term neutering refers to the procedure involving the removal uterus.
of the reproductive organs. In a male dog, the veterinarian makes a Ovarian pedicles: a small stalk-
like structure that connects the
surgical incision near the scrotum. They pull out the testes through the ovaries to the rest of the dogs
slit and ligate the spermatic cord containing blood vessels and ducts. body.
They then are able to remove the testes by excising them. In a female
dog (Figure 1), the procedure is more invasive.
The veterinarian cuts into the abdominal pelvic
cavity and searches for the ovaries using a spay
hook. They then tear off the ligaments that attach
the ovaries to the body wall. The ovarian pedicles
are ligated and then cut off from the rest of the
blood vessels in the body while the lower part of
the uterus is ligated and then cut off from the
cervix.
Figure 1
These procedures have been recommended by
veterinarians whether they be to control
behavioral issues in male dogs or limit the
increase in the animal population. It is often
claimed that neutering decreases cancer of the
prostate in male dogs and reduces cancer of the
mammary glands in female dogs. In the United
States, 83% of dogs are neutered (Hart 2014).
Obviously, it has become the most popular
procedure done on dogs. Yet, while it is highly
recommended to neuter pets, not enough research
has been done to see the possible long-term
effects this kind of surgery could have on the
animals involved. In many European countries, it
is reported that neutering is avoided by health
authorities because of the negative health effects
that have been found from studies done by a
variety of animal experts (Hart 2014). Based on
their extensive research within the past ten to
fifteen years, it has been discovered that
neutering does more harm than good.
Most pet owners want to make sure they do what
is best for their dogs health, longevity, and
happiness. If they are educated on the neutering
procedure and the side effects caused, they will
be more determined to push for advancements in
the veterinary field. People should not alter the
anatomy of their pets purely for the sake of
convenience.
Study One:
Methods
Four researchers studied the effects of neutering
on different cancers in both male and female
Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.
Their research was done over a period of 13 years
and their data was collected on dogs neutered
before six months, between six and 11 months, at
one year, and between two and eight years. They
conducted their research by accessing medical

Veterinary Medical Database: a
database that has collected data on
animal diseases since 1964 through
member hospitals.
Prostate: a gland that produces and
releases seminal fluid.
Osteosarcoma: a type of bone
cancer.
Definitions
Cardiac hemangiosarcoma: the
most common tumor of the heart,
occurs in the right atrium or right
auricular appendage.
Lymph nodes: small swellings in
the lymphatic system where lymph
is filtered and lymphocytes are
formed.
Excess tibial plateau angle: joint
angle greater than 34 degrees.
Cranial cruciate ligament:
important stabilizer inside the
canine knee (stifle) joint.
Hip dysplasia: a disease of the hip
in which the ball and socket are
malformed.
records through the Veterinary Medical Database
where they studied 40,000 dogs. They also
collected data from the veterinary hospital
records at the University of California, School of
Veterinary Medicine. The article often references
other studies, which will be cited when used in
this essay (Hart 2014).

Results
Based on their studies, the researchers found that
neutering increases the incidence of two joint
disorders and three cancers in Golden Retrievers.
They also reported that in Labrador Retrievers,
joint disorders tripled or quadrupled when
neutered before six months. By studying the rate
of cancer in both breeds, the researchers were
able to find that the rate did not significantly
change in neutered male dogs while there was a
huge change in the rate for neutered female dogs
during all periods of life. The study goes on to
disprove the widespread belief that neutering
dogs will decrease the chances of mammary
gland and prostate cancer. In a different study
that the researchers analyzed, little evidence in
the statement that neutering helps prevent
mammary gland cancer was found; the
occurrence of this cancer was still low in intact
dogs (Beauvais 2012). Based on their own
research from the Veterinary Medical Database,
in male dogs, the removal of the testosterone
hormone actually increases the chance of
prostate cancer by four times. They also
concluded that several different cancers such as
osteosarcoma and cardiac hemangiosarcoma
increased in risk for neutered dogs as opposed to
dogs who were still intact. The researchers also
stated that enlarged lymph nodes and lumps
(masses) on the skin were often found along with
the diagnoses for cancer. In Golden Retrievers,
having hormone producing gonads seemed to
protect the breed against cancer (Hart 2014).
Figure 2
The researchers go on to discuss the joint
disorders found in neutered dogs in a different
study. By analyzing the data in the other article
and their own data as well, they realized that
removing the hormones produced by the gonads
during the joint developmental stage would
disrupt the growth plates (Salmeri 1991). The
alternate study discussed the several joint
disorders and how they are connected to weight
gain. Neutering dogs causes them to gain weight,
thus straining the joints and causing bone
diseases. In larger dog breeds, more issues were
found in the joints. In large neutered dogs, the
issue of excess tibial plateau angle (Figure 2),
which often leads to a torn cranial cruciate
ligament (Figure 4), increased two to three times
while hip dysplasia doubled in neutered dogs
(Salmeri 1991). The results of the studies
reviewed by the authors as well as their own
studies prove that neutering does have a negative
effect on the overall health of a dog.
Figure 3 (Hart 2014)
The chart above (Figure 3) shows the results from
the study. As shown, male dogs have more issues
with joint disorders, especially neutered male
dogs. Hip dysplasia (HD) affected 14.67% of
male dogs neutered under the age of six months
while only 2.63% of males were affected when
neutered at one year of age. Of the male dogs
who stayed intact, 4.07% were affected. In
female dogs, 9.78% were affected when neutered
under the age of six months. When intact, 3.68%
were affected and 0% were affected when
neutered at one year of age. This goes to show
that neutering dogs at a young age greatly
increases the chance of hip dysplasia (Hart 2014).
Figure 4
Cranial cruciate ligament tears or ruptures (CCL)
(Figure 4) were observed in male dogs who were
neutered under the age of six months to 11
months more than dogs neutered at one year or
left intact. In female dogs, 10.89% of them were
affected when neutered under the age of six
months. When neutered at one year, or left intact,
0% of female dogs were affected. Either leaving
the dog intact or neutering at one year of age is
healthier for both male and female dogs (Hart
2014).
Study Two:
Methods
The four researchers from the study above did
another study on the effects of neutering on dogs.
Instead of the retriever breed, they studied 1,170
intact and neutered German Shepherds for 14.5
years. The dogs were studied until they reached
eight years of age. They followed female German
Shepherds until they were 11 years old because
most mammary cancer diagnoses happen after
eight years of age. The median age of diagnosis
is 10.1 years. They included the date of birth,
neuter status and age of neutering (if neutered) in
the data collected in order to have more accurate
results. The information was collected from
veterinary hospital records (Hart 2016).
Results
German Shepherds are extremely susceptible to
diseases. They often suffer from joint disorders
and cancers such as osteosarcoma, lymphoma,
hemangiosarcoma and mast cell tumor. The
researchers state that neutering at any age
increased the rate of at least one of the cancers by
three to four times. They also found that, along
with joint disorders, female German Shepherds
had more issues with urinary incontinence when
neutered. Based on the results they discuss, neut-
Definitions
Lymphoma: a cancer of the lymphatic system.
Mast cell tumor: a cancer of a type of blood cell
normally involved in the bodys response to allergens
and inflammation.
Urinary incontinence: the involuntary leakage of urine.
Pyometra: an infection in the uterus that occurs as a
result of hormonal changes in the females reproductive
tract.
ering should be held off for as long as possible
until the dog is fully developed (Hart 2016).
Figure 5
The chart above (Figure 5) shows the percentages
of urinary incontinence (UI) in intact and
neutered female dogs. Urinary incontinence
affected 0% of intact dogs while it had a 7.22%
affect on dogs neutered between six and 11
months. Again, the data shows that neutering at
any age, especially at a young age for female
dogs when discussing this specific disease, is not
beneficial to dogs (Hart 2016).
Study Three:
Methods
A study by five veterinary researchers explores
the correlation between neutering and
autoimmune disorders. Even though
gonadectomies are highly recommended by
veterinarians, there has been a prevalence of
structural disorders and some neoplasias. Their
research was done over a period of 15 years and
they studied 90,090 patient records from the
William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical
Teaching Hospital at the University of California
(Sundburg 2016).
Results
Based on their research, the results show that the
reproductive system and the immune system are
highly interdependent. Their article discusses
that when the hormone producing gonads are
removed in male dogs, the testosterone cannot be
released from the reproductive organs thus
corticotestosterone must be released from the
adrenal glands. This may lead to a higher risk of
hypoadrenocorticism. Female dogs will often
experience estrogen withdrawal. They specify
that neutered dogs are more likely to die from
cancer and immune-mediated diseases than
infections, trauma, and vascular diseases
(Sundburg 2016).
Definitions
Autoimmune disorder: a of new, abnormal growth
disease in which the of tissue.
bodys immune system Hypoadrenocorticism: a
attacks healthy cells. condition where there is
Gonadectomy: surgical decreased secretion of
removal of the gonads. the adrenocorticotropic
Neoplasia: the formation hormone.
Conclusion
Based on all of this information, even though
neutering is necessary in todays society, there
are definitely several long-term effects to
neutering. These effects are negative and include
diseases that can be life threatening and greatly
decrease the life span of dogs.
Unfortunately, shelters force pet owners to neuter
their dogs in order to prevent them from over
populating. Though their reasoning is
understandable and their intentions are good, this
kind of surgery is not always beneficial to the pet.
There needs to be more veterinarians who will
individualize their dog patient and evaluate
whether neutering would be beneficial or
detrimental to the overall health of the dog. More
research needs to be done on a healthy and safe
sterilization method for dogs so that they do not
have to go through extensive procedures that
remove important organs.
With all of this in mind, the responsibility now
falls on the owners. They need be educated in
standard veterinary practices and push for an
advancement. Many pet owners value their pets
love and company, so why not take it a step
further and make sure that their pets well being
is also valued? Neutering should not be done on
dogs, but until an alternate solution is found, pet
owners should decide what is best for their
individual dog in order to give them long and
healthy lives with their people.
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Hart B, Hart L, Thigpen A, Willits N. Neutering
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disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence.
Veterinary Medicine and Science.
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