- A study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis provides more evidence that spaying and neutering – and the age at which the procedure is performed – may increase a dog’s risk for joint disease and cancer.
- In the U.S., the definition of “responsible pet owner” is someone who spays or neuters his or her dog. In Europe, animal health experts do not promote spay/neuter, and a large percentage of dogs remain intact in many European countries.
- The UC Davis study looked at only one breed of dog (the Golden Retriever), both genders, and the affects of early, late and no spay/neuter on the development of two joint diseases and three types of cancer known to be prevalent in the breed.
- The study revealed that for all five diseases, the rates were significantly higher in both males and females that were neutered or spayed (before or after one year of age) compared with intact dogs.
- Particularly surprising is that study results showed a 100 percent increase in the rate of hip dysplasia in male Goldens neutered before 12 months of age. Ten percent were diagnosed with the condition, which was double the rate of occurrence in intact males.
Source (good idea to read the entire link):
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/06/26/early-neutering-effects.aspx
