Common veterinary practice suggests neutering (castration) of male pet dogs at six months. Unfortunately, the clinical evidence as to the consequences of this practice are not widely known. Many well-meaning practitioners and dog rescue facilities dismiss health risks related to early castration as minor. Evidence suggests that the risks may not be limited to "a little weight gain" and should be considered in the timing of the procedure.
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Activity
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Castration reduces a male dog's levels of aggression and desire to wander and consequently reduces his urge to exercise and his risk of obesity will triple according to a literature review by Larry Katz and Laura Sanborn (2007). Early neutering can help prevent indiscriminate territory marking by large male dogs, but may also lead to minor kidney problems later.
Disease Risk
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Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, however, dogs neutered before 1 year of age show higher risk of bone cancer and hip dysplasia, according to a 2002 study by Cooley, Beranek, Schlitter, Glickman, Glickman and Waters. The risk of developing other diseases such as cardiac hemangiosarcoma, urinary tract cancer and hypothyroidism are shown to increase in dogs neutered as puppies or very young dogs.
Mental Health
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The Journal of the American Veterinary Association (Hart, 2001), cites higher risk of cognitive function impairment and behavior problems in male dogs neutered before they were fully mature. The role of sex hormones in the maturation of animals is well-documented, while the consequences of early neutering on canines is less well-studied.
Risk Management
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The best research indicates that early neutering predisposes dogs to significant health risks. Waiting till the dog is more mature physically can help avoid these risks. Factors like breed, age and gender all need to be considered when making the decision as to when you should spay or neuter your dog says, Stan Rawlinson, chairman of the Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers.
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