Desexing

Desexing is an important part of pet ownership. It should be looked upon as a means not only of helping to control the number of unwanted strays, but also as a method of prevention against disease later in life.  We understand though, that decisions around de-sexing your dog are complex. There are several pros and cons to de-sexing. Below is a summary of the recent literature surrounding the advantages and disadvantages of de-sexing provided by Dr Abbie Tipler ATCL BVSc MANZCVS (Surgery), Veterinary Specialist Services.

REMEMBER: the humane societies are not able to re-home all unwanted animals.  Every week, hundreds are euthanized.  By desexing our animals, we can keep the numbers of unwanted strays to a minimum.  


Pros of desexing

Male

Female

·         Castration reduces the risk of testicular tumors

·         Ovariohysterectomy prior to the first heat, reduces the risk of mammary tumors by 99.5%. The protective effect is reduced after the first oestrus to 92%. After this there is no proven protective effect.

Some breeds tend to be more prone to mammary neoplasia e.g. Boxers, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels and Dachshunds. 

·         Reduces the risk of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, chronic prostatitis, perianal adenomas and perianal hernias.

·         Overall increase in lifespan. Increased death by neoplasia, but decreased death by trauma, infectious disease.

·         Ovariohysterectomy reduces the risk of ovarian neoplasia, uterine neoplasia and vaginal tumors.

·         Reduces the risk of transmissible venereal tumours, a sexually transmitted disease

·         Ovariohysterectomy reduces the risk of transmissible venereal tumours, a sexually transmitted disease

·         Ovariohysterectomy prevents pyometra, metritis and ovarian cysts as well as problems associated with pregnancy and parturition.

Some breeds are more prone to pyometra for example, Border Collies, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers and German Shepherds.

·         Overall increase in lifespan. Increased death by neoplasia, but decreased death by trauma, infectious disease.


Cons of desexing

Male

Female

·         Increased risk of obesity

·         Increased risk of obesity

·         Increased risk of cruciate ligament disease

·         Increased risk of cruciate ligament disease

·         Increased risk of prostatic carcinoma

·         Increases the risk of urinary incontinence

·         Increased risk of transitional cell carcinoma

·         Possible increase in the risk of lymphoma

·         Possible increase in the risk of lymphoma

·         Increases the risk of transitional cell carcinoma

·         May increase the risk of Mast Cell tumours but this is not seen in all breeds (see below for individual breed studies if they have been performed)


Behavior, both sexes

Pros

Cons

·         There is a reduction in roaming, hormonal inter-dog aggression and urine marking.

·         The most serious bite injuries involve sexually intact dogs.

·         Intact males and females are more likely to be referred for aggression and reactivity.

·         There is increased dominance aggression towards family members in females and puppies that had already shown signs of aggression had the highest risk. This risk is reduced the older they were desexed.

 


When should I desex my pet?

Pyometra, unwanted pregnancies and mammary neoplasia, prevalent in populations of entire dogs, provide an unexpected and possibly high expense to dog owners. There is also a high rate of euthanasia in shelters. Therefore, the recommendation is to de-sex dogs at 6 months of age as pyometra can occur as early as 9 months of age, unless otherwise discussed with your veterinarian. 

Female dogs undergo a procedure called an ovariohysterectomy (spey). In this operation the uterus (womb) and ovaries are removed. The female will therefore have no further seasons and will not be able to fall pregnant. 

Male dogs undergo a procedure called castration. In the operation, the testes which produce the male hormone testosterone and sperm are removed. This means that males can no longer cause pregnancy.