Early Spay and Neuter?
Early spay and neuter is the ovariohysterectomy of female (removal of all parts of the uterus and ovaries) or castration of male pups as early as 6 - 8 weeks of age. The procedure is endorsed and supported by the following organizations:
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- American Animal Hostpital Association
- The Humane Society of the United States
- The International Labradoodle Association/Australian Labradoodle Association of America
- The American Kennel Club
- Society for Theriogenology
- American College of Theriogenologists
History
Traditionally, dogs have been spayed or neutered at around 6 to 9 months of age, which is usually after the female has her first heat cycle. This typical age for spay and neuter surgery has probably developed and carried over from years past because of concerns over anesthesia in very young puppies. However, with currently available anesthetic equipment and veterinary expertise, pediatric spay and neuter is a very safe and risk free procedure today.
Benefits of Early Spay for the Female Dog
- Spaying before the first heat reduces the frequency of mammary tumors by more than 90%
- Prevents cystic ovaries, uterine cancer, pyometra, false pregnancy and irregular heat cycles
- There are no heat cycles during which confinement of the dog is necessary and no other issues associated with a heat cycle to deal with (blood, odor, irritability).
- Surgery time is shorter and recovery is much faster than the same surgery done at the more traditional age.
Benefits of Early Neuter for the Male Dog
- Dogs neutered before puberty do not develop sexual urges
- Neutered males are less likely to roam, are more congenial with other dogs, and are less territorial and agressive.
- Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular tumors and reduces the risk of prostate enlargement.
- Trainability can actually be enhanced - A study at Guide Dogs for the Blind demonstrated that animals desexed early were 1.3 times more likely to succeed in training than those desexed later in life.
Avoiding Pregnancy and Pet Overpopulation
Perhaps the most compelling reason for the early spaying and neutering of pet puppies is that it ensures that puppies intended as pets will not be used for breeding.
"In one survey of pet-owning households, at least 20% of those interviewed had allowed their pet to sire or bear at least one litter before neutering."
An early spay/neuter program protects the integrity of the Australian Labradoodle breed by ensuring that the best of the best are used in responsible breeding programs. It also prevents accidental pregnancies and, therefore, puppies placed as pets cannot contribute to pet overpopulation and our already overburdened shelter system.
Concerns
It has been well demonstrated that very young puppies are no more likely than older animals to suffer adverse effects from desexing procedures.
- Obesity - No studies have documented any correlation between obesity and pediatric desexing. Obesity is caused by overfeeding and too little excercise.
- Urinary infections and incontinence - This is a controversial topic. Some research indicates that females spayed at an earlier age may have an earlier onset of urinary incontinence but females spayed at any age may develop urinary incontinence.
The Australian Labradoodle Breeder's Responsibility
It is almost always the case that an Australian Labradoodle Breeder will spay and neuter pet puppies before sending them with their new families. Most of us are bound to do so by the terms of our contracts with the breeders of our own dogs or by the organizations to which we belong. As this is a breed early in it's development, developing a strong genetic base is of utmost importance and poor breeding decisions at this point could have a lasting effect on the breed.
Sources
1. Root Kustritz, Margaret V.: The Dog Breeder's Guide to Successful Breeding and Health Management, Missouri, 2006, Elsevier.
2. Eldredge, Debra M., DVM: Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, New Jersey, 2007, Howell Book House.