There is currently a great controversy in the Animal Care Field regarding the “right” age to spay or neuter a pet and the “right” technique to use. As there is no right answer right now, here are links to important research that can help you decide what is right for your pet. We also have more information on our Spay or Ovary Sparing Spay page as well as our Neuter or Vasectomy page.
What We Can Learn From Old Dogs
The fascinating TedX presentation by Dr. David Waters, on the last night of his Old Gray Muzzle Tour. Sit down with a big bowl of popcorn and your favorite drink to watch this one – you will be fascinated by his breaking information – The Oldest Dogs as our Greatest Teachers. ~via YouTube
Dr. David Water’s Old Gray Muzzle Tour
The tour that investigated the link of lifetime ovary exposure (age of spaying/not spaying) with longevity in the dog. ~via Purdue Research Park
Exploring mechanisms of sex differences in longevity
Lifetime ovary exposure and exceptional longevity in dogs. ~via Wiley Online Library
More information about Dr. David Water’s research
via Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation
Long-Term Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay/Neuter in Dogs
A comprehensive article on the benefits and risks of spaying and neutering. ~via National Animal Interest Alliance – NAIA
Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers
via PLOS
More information on several spay and neuter topics
via Society for Theriogenology
Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete
Dr. Christine Zink’s article looks at how spaying and neutering affect the athlete. ~via Canine Sports
Is Early Neutering Hurting Pets?
by Dr. Alice Villalobos ~via Veterinary Practice News
Reproductive Biology and Medicine of Domestic and Exotic Carnivores
Dr. Iris Reichler's research on spaying and neutering – the European perspective. ~via International Veterinary Information Service – IVIS
Aggression Toward Familiar People, Strangers, and Conspecifics in Gonadectomized and Intact Dogs
An interesting study on if when a male dog gets neutered plays a role in aggression. ~via Frontiers in Veterinary Science
The Adverse Health Effects of Early Spay and Neuter in Golden Retrievers
One Golden Retriever Breeder's perspective on spaying and neutering. ~via Sunbeam Goldens
Assisting Decision-Making on Age of Neutering for 35 Breeds of Dogs: Associated Joint Disorders, Cancers, and Urinary Incontinence
via NIH National Library of Medicine
The Ovary Sparing Spay (OSS)
The heat cycles remain and there is no protective effect for preventing breast cancer, but as you can read below, there may be longevity benefits to leaving the ovaries and removing the entire uterus including the cervix. This requires a longer incision but may be a better option.
Ovary Sparing Spay and Vasectomy Chart
Dr. Greer outlines the key differences between the regular Spay/Neuter and the Ovary Sparing Spay/Vassectomy options.
Ovariectomy (OVE) Versus Ovariohysterectomy (OVH) Revisited
Dr. Nancy Kay, author of Speaking for Spot, and her perspective on Ovariectomy versus Ovariohysterectomy. ~via Speaking for Spot
More information about Ovary-Sparing spay
via Parsemus Foundation
Hormone-Sparing Sterilization
on our blog with information via Parsemus Foundation
Ovarian Conservation at the time of Hysterectomy
The comparable information about humans, a nurse’s study in Great Britain. ~via National Center for Biotechnology Information – NCBI