- No unwanted pregnancies
- Decreased tendency to roam
- Decreased tendency to urine mark
- Decreased mammary cancer
- Decreased uterine infection (pyometra)
Today, let’s look male dogs, and the negative aspects of neutering. By acknowledging there are negative aspects, we can focus on preventing or delaying their development.
Common problems that increase if male dogs are neutered:
1. Surgical complications
2. Cancer of the prostate
3. Cancer of the bladder (transitional cell carcinoma)
4. Cancer of the bone (osteosarcoma)
5. Cancer of the blood vessels (hemangiosarcoma)
6. Knee injuries and rupture of knee ligaments (CCL cranial cruciate ligament)
7. Obesity
8. Diabetes
1. Surgical complications in neutered dogs
Dogs that are neutered are deeply anesthetized so that the testicles can be removed through an incision in the scrotum or abdomen. If 100 neuter surgeries are done, 6 dogs will have a negative event associated with surgery. Fortunately, these negative events are usually mild. For example, there is an increase in vomiting and stomach upset, and some dogs will have infected incisions. Dogs that were older and larger or that were less than 12 weeks old had the greatest number of problems.
Although no one calibrates brain changes associated with anesthesia in routine spay and neuter surgery, researchers have documented increases in tangle proteins in pet brains following anesthesia. These are similar to the tangled proteins found in humans as they develop Alzheimer’s disease. For this reason, dogs expected to think on the job may be better off without being neutered or with great attention to preventing adverse events during surgery.
To avoid complications with surgery:
Begin silymarin, SAMe, Omega 3 fatty acids, and other supplements that strengthen the liver and increase the rate it will detoxify anesthetic agents at least two weeks before surgery. Continue them for at least two weeks following surgery.
Ask for IV fluids during and after surgery to promote the flushing of materials from the fat, brain, blood, and tissues.
Ensure the surgeon is exceptionally skilled and efficient with the surgery.
2. Cancer of the prostate
Between 2-6 dogs in 1000 develops prostate cancer, and the likelihood of prostate cancer more than doubles if dogs are neutered. Prostate cancer is usually a serious metastatic disease and may spread to the bones.
To prevent or delay prostate cancer, avoid toxic food and environmental exposures such as creosote soaked decks and dog houses, beds that are close to televisions or strong electrical devices. Provide food rich in natural antioxidants, such as green tea, whole brown rice, deeply colored fruits and vegetables. Avoid meat from cattle, sheep, or poultry that’s raised with chemicals and growth hormone promoters. Avoid feeding old kibble that may have fatty acids that have oxidized.
Although neutered dogs are more likely to develop prostatic cancer, 95% of intact dogs have enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy) by the time they are 9 years of age. BPH may interfere with the passage of stool, but it does not interfere with the passage of urine as it does in human males.
3. Cancer of the bladder (transitional cell carcinoma)
About 1 in 100 dogs with a malignant tumor will have a cancer of the bladder (transitional cell carcinoma or TCC). Neutered dogs are 2-4 times more likely to develop TCC than are intact dogs. Breeds with an increased tendency to develop bladder cancer are the Airedale, Beagle, Collie, Scotty, Sheltie, Westie, and Wire Fox Terrier. These breeds may have a genetic predisposition toward developing TCC.
To prevent or delay TCC, avoid toxic food and environmental exposures. Some dogs, such as Scotties, are especially sensitive to herbicides and pesticides used on lawns and develop bladder cancer after their families have the yard treated. Although no sensitivity has been shown to topical or oral flea and tick treatments, I would not use them on Scotties and other dogs sensitive to lawn chemicals. Other toxic exposures to avoid include creosote treated decks and dog houses, paints, solvents, and chemicals used on cars and boats. In addition, don’t place a dog’s bed near a television or equipment that emits strong radiation.
Provide food rich in natural antioxidants, such as green tea, whole brown rice, deeply colored fruits and vegetables. Use organic meats. Avoid meat from cattle, sheep, or poultry that’s raised with chemicals and growth hormone promoters. Avoid feeding old kibble that may have fatty acids that have oxidized.
4. Cancer of the bone (osteosarcoma)
Osteosarcoma is a bone cancer that spreads quickly throughout the body and causes extreme pain. The odds of developing osteosarcoma increase in neutered dogs, especially in the dogs are large boned, such as the Doby, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Rottie, and Saint Bernard.
To prevent osteosarcoma, don’t neuter a large-boned dog before it has have reached full size. This allows the sex hormone testosterone to control bone growth and decreases the likelihood of osteosarcoma. In addition, prevent toxin exposures and feed properly as described in previous paragraphs on bladder and prostate cancer.
5. Cancer of the blood vessels (hemangiosarcoma)
Hemangiosarcoma is the most common canine tumor and it is more than twice as likely to occur in neutered dogs. Breeds most likely to develop hemangiosarcoma are the Boxer, English Setter, German Shepherd, Golden, Great Dane, Lab, Pointer, Poodle, and Husky. Tumors develop in the spleen, heart, and other organs and can spread through the body.
To prevent or delay the development of hemangiosarcoma, use the suggestions in the in previous paragraphs on bladder and prostate cancer on avoiding toxins and feeding properly.
6. Knee injuries and rupture of knee ligaments (CCL cranial cruciate ligament)
About 2 dogs in 100 develop ruptured knee ligaments. Breeds at greatest risk are the large or giant breeds, including those that are active in the field: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Akita, Pit Bull, Rottie, Samoyed, Saint Bernard, and German Shepherd.
To prevent CCL injury, keep dogs light weight and avoid repetitive training that strains the same muscles repeatedly. Don’t start serious training until dogs are fully grown. Use warm-up periods before asking for all-out effort. Give joint supplements, Omega 3 fatty acids, and feed with deeply colored fruits and vegetables to provide antioxidants. Rest dogs that have knee injuries and use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as little as possible since they delay healing—although they do help control pain. Provide good supportive footing in the house, and a warm, comfortable bed.
7. Obesity in neutered dogs
Estimates are that more than 30% of dogs become obese after being spayed or neutered. Breeds at greatest risk for obesity include the Beagle, Cairn Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, and Labrador. Obesity is unhealthy and predisposes dogs to develop diabetes, pancreatitis, and joint problems.
To prevent obesity, change the food by decreasing carbohydrates and increasing protein. Use home-cooked or canned foods, and avoid using kibble as the mainstay in the diet. Provide plenty of raw vegetables, bones, and toys so dogs can satisfy the need to chew without eating. Don’t provide chew objects that are small enough to be swallowed and stick in the throat or intestines.
8. Diabetes in neutered dogs
Neutered dogs are more likely to develop diabetes than are intact dogs. Diabetes is an illness caused when the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin to move sugar from the blood and into the cells. The high blood sugar predispose diabetic pets to develop skin infections, bladder infections, nerves that don’t work, and eye problems. The risk of developing diabetes is greatest in Miniature and Toy Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers, Pugs, and Samoyeds. Dogs with diabetes require insulin injections.
To help prevent diabetes, keep dogs the normal weight, and watch what you feed. Avoid foods with simple carbohydrates and sweeteners, including flour, wheat gluten, corn meal, sugar, glucose, and fructose. Feeding high protein foods is always best. Don’t be fooled by pet food advertising so that you look at the pretty pictures rather than the label. If you’re unsure of what is ideal for your dog, ask your holistic veterinarian.
Although some cats that develop diabetes can return to normal if they change their diet and lose weight, this is seldom possible for diabetic dogs.
Summary
We’ve just reviewed some of the medical problems that are more likely to occur in neutered dogs than in intact dogs. These medical problems don’t mean that dogs should not be neutered; they mean we need to pay attention. For sure, we need to feed dogs properly, avoid toxin exposures, and prevent obesity. If we take good care of our neutered dogs, they will be around for many more years than the average intact dog. That means more years for us to love them.
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