FAQS
1.Will it harm my pet to be neutered before 16 weeks of age?
This form of neutering has been practiced in the United States for many years and researchers in numerous Universities have followed the long term progress of animals neutered in this way. Their findings showed that there were no contraindications for neutering animals earlier than the traditional age limit of 24 weeks onwards and in fact with shorter surgery times and shorter anaesthetic times, the incidence of peri-operative complications is low. Pets only need to be starved for 2-4 hours prior to surgery and anaesthetic recovery and healing are shorter than in adults. (Bushby PA, Griffin B. An overview of pediatric spay and neuter benefits and procedures. VetMed 2011;106(2): 83-89)
2.Will my pet have stunted growth because of early neutering?
The theory that pediatric neutering may result in stunted growth has proved to be unfounded in dogs.The long bones of dogs that undergo pediatric neutering are in fact very slightly longer than those of animals neutered after 6 months of age, as the removal of hormonal influence causes a delay in closure of growth plates2; however, the growth is not disproportionate, and the curve is the same2.There do not appear to be any clinical problems caused by the delayed closure of growth plates2.
3.Will my pet become obese because of early neutering?
Obesity has many causes and there seems to be no direct association with the age at which an animal is spayed or neutered. A long-term study conducted by researchers at Cornell University followed 1,842 dogs that underwent neutering and were adopted from a shelter before 1 year of age and followed for up to 11 years. The results in fact showed a decrease in obesity for male and female dogs that had early-age neutering1.
4.Will my pet have musculoskeletal problems because of early neutering?
Some veterinary surgeons have suggested that the incidence of hip dysplasia is higher in animals neutered earlier than 16 weeks. A study at Texas A&M University showed no increase in hip dysplasia3, while a study at Cornell University showed a slight increase in incidence1. so there is no clear answer to this, however the Cornell study also showed that dogs sterilized at a traditional age were three times more likely to be euthanized because of hip dysplasia1.
5.Is it true that female dogs neutered early are more likely to suffer from perivulvular dermatitis?
Perivulvar dermatitis has been documented in intact and spayed female dogs. The age at the time of neutering appears to have no significant influence on the incidence2. This condition is related to a recessed vulva and is made worse by obesity.
6.What about puppy vaginitis, is this likely to be seen more with early neutering?
The incidence of puppy vaginitis is the same regardless of the age of the dog at the time of neutering1.
7.Will my male kitten be more likely to get urinary obstruction if he is neutered young?
The suspicion that paediatric castration would decrease the diameter of the penile urethra in cats and, thus, lead to urinary obstruction has proved to be unfounded. In fact diameter of the penile urethra in an adult male cat does not vary between animals neutered at 7 weeks or at 7 months of age or from intact males4-6.
8.I have a female puppy, will she be more likely to suffer from incontinence if she is neutered younger than 16 weeks of age?
Studies have shown differing conclusions with respect to estrogen-responsive urinary incontinence in dogs. The Cornell study mentioned above revealed a slightly greater risk of urinary incontinence in dogs spayed earlier than 12 weeks of age1, while the Texas A&M study showed no difference3. A third study showed a higher incidence of urinary incontinence in dogs spayed after their first season7.
References.
1.Spain CV, Scarlett JM, Houpt KA. Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2004;224(3):380-387.
2.Salmeri KR, Bloomberg MS, Scruggs SL, et al. Gonadectomy in immature dogs: effects on skeletal, physical, and behavioral development. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1991;198(7):1193-1203.
3.Howe LM, Slater MR, Boothe HW, et al. Long-term outcome of gonadectomy performed at an early age or traditional age in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;218(2):217-221.
4. Stubbs WP, Bloomberg MS, Scruggs SL, et al. Effects of prepubertal gonadectomy on physical and behavioral development in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1996;209(11):1864-1871.
5. Herron MA. The effect of prepubertal castration on the penile urethra of the cat. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1972;160:208-211.
6.Root MV, Johnston SD, Johnston GR, et al. The effect of prepuberal and postpuberal gonadectomy on penile extrusion and urethral diameter in the domestic cat. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 1996;37:363-366.
7. Arnold S, Arnold P, Hubler M, et al. Urinary incontinence in spayed bitches: