Although not essential to growth, testosterone and oestrogen affect cartilage growth and maturation. Because early neutering removes sex hormones, this delays maturation of âosteoclastsâ resulting in the delayed closing of the growth plates of the long leg bones creating leggy taller than average dogs, thereby increasing the risk of some orthopedic disorders such as cruciate ligament disease, Hip problems and possibly bone cancer. The dogs were classified as intact (not neutered), neutered early (before 12 months age), or neutered late (at or after 12 months age). When comparing intact animals with those spayed or neutered young, the intact animals were smaller on average (when comparing similar breeds). Spaying or neutering before the hip joint growth plates close means you may be setting your puppy up for hip development issues and therefore, we ask that you wait until AFTER the first season for females (schedule the spay 3 months from the first day of season, example- if she came into season on Jan.1st, schedule her spay for April 1st) and at 2 years for the males. Neutered males that are altered before maturity are typically less muscular/filled out that an intact male because they lack the testostarone needed for muscle development. Early neutering (which is typically as early as 5 months of age) is being blamed for the rapid rise of joint disease and ⦠Neutering and cancers Joint disorders and cancers are of particular interest because neutering removes male and female sex hormones that play key roles in important body processes such as the closure of bone growth plates. The higher incidence of orthopedic issues in neutered dogs may be related to alteration of the normal closure of bony growth plates which are responsible for normal elongation of bones. Urethral dimensions in male cats do not vary based on the age at neutering. ! Other potential effects of early spaying have been studied, including increased urinary incontinence, hip dysplasia, and obesity. In addition to the growth-plate issue, there is growing concern that the lack of sex hormones in a sterilized dog can foster the rise of bone cancer. This implies that the occurrence of HD and CCL in early-neutered dogs is a combined function of the effect of neutering on growth plates, as well as the increase in weight on the joints brought on by neutering. ANSWER: Early-age neutering does not stunt growth in dogs or cats (a once-held belief), but may alter metabolic rates in cats. The growth plates of the long bones will close generally between the ages of 5 and 14 months. Spaying too early, like neutering too early, can negatively affect your dogâs growth plates and lead to delayed closure. Having your dog spayed or neutered early will not stunt your puppyâs growth, but it might affect the joints of large breed dogs. Sterilization, particularly early sterilization, causes the growth plates of the bones to close later. Orthopedic Considerations. Myth 1 - All desexed dogs gain weight (get fat). courtesy Canine Sports Productions by Chris Zink DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACVSMR, CCRT, CVSMT, CVA. âWe think that early neutering prevents the gonadal hormone secretion that normally stimulates closure of long-bone growth plates as a dog approaches maturity,â Dr. Hart explains. If you have your dog neutered at 6 or 7 months, some of the growth plates will close on time while others that close later will be delayed. Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete. Abnormal Growth. Actually, early neutering delays closure of the bone growth plates making for a slightly taller cat. indication that early neutering (because absence of sex hormones delays maturation of osteoclasts and thus results in delayed closing of the growth plates in the long-bones) may predispose to increased risk for various orthopedic disorders (such as cruciate ligament ⦠Seven percent of intact males were diagnosed with one or more joint disorders, compared to 21 percent of males neutered prior to a year of age. Side Effects To Spaying/Neutering Your Dog 1. While additional monitoring of animals gonadectomized early in life is warranted, experimental and survey data indicate the following effects of early spaying or neutering: Prepubertal gonadectomy significantly delays epiphyseal (growth plate) ⦠Seven percent of intact males were diagnosed with one or more joint disorders, compared to 21 percent of males neutered prior to a year of age. The loss of hormones results in slower closure of her growth plates, affecting her long bones. This can create leggy taller than average dogs, thereby increasing the risk of orthopaedic disorders such ⦠This did not occur in Group II and II cats. Delayed proximal ulnar cartilages closing is seen in early ⦠It was also suggested that neutering at an early age would stunt normal growth. âWe think that early neutering prevents the gonadal hormone secretion that normally stimulates closure of long-bone growth plates as a dog approaches maturity,â Dr. Hart explains. On average dogs that are neutered early will grow longer and taller. This has not borne out, either. Neutering (including spaying) of male and female dogs in the first year after birth has become routine in the U.S. and much of Europe, but recent research reveals that for some dog breeds, neutering may be associated with increased risks of debilitating joint disorders and some cancers, complicating pet owners' decisions on neutering. It is commonly believed that neutered animals are less active and more prone to obesity than unaltered animals. Joint disorders and cancers are of particular interest because neutering removes male and female sex hormones that play key roles in important body processes such as closure of bone growth plates. advantages and disadvantages of early neutering. Critics have claimed several possible detrimental side effects from early neutering. Because early neutering removes sex hormones, this delays maturation of âosteoclastsâ resulting in the delayed closing of the growth plates of the long leg bones. Group I and II dogs showed significantly delayed closure of the radial/ulnar growth plates and the long bones of the legs grew longer resulting in taller animals. Does Spaying or Neutering Cause Stunting? Neutering and Aggression Spayed Females May Have Reduced Communication Skills Behavioral and Physical Ef⦠This implies that the occurrence of HD and CCL in early-neutered dogs is a combined function of the effect of neutering on growth plates, as well as the increase in weight on the joints brought on by neutering. It is well documented that spaying and neutering before skeletal maturity is reached (before the growth plates have closed) will delay closure of the growth plates which will result in disproportionately long limbs. I understand that early neutering before the growth plates have naturally closed will make the dog grow taller than it would naturally because the plates are open for longer. FYI: All of the articles below are from outside sources. âThe bones grow slightly longer than normal, which, in turn, disrupts joint alignment enough to lead to clinically apparent joint problems in some dogs.â AKC Canine Health Foundation-funded research investigates health implications in early spay and neuter in dogs. A team of researchers led by Dr. Benjamin L. Hart at the University of California, Davis has completed the most detailed study performed to date, and recent results have the potential to significantly impact recommendations for spaying and neutering dogs in the United States. Growth is not stunted by early neutering. Obviously neutering causes an imbalance in the hormonal system by removing a major hormone contributing organ, so the growth plates do not close and allows the long bones of the legs to grow longer. Spaying too early, can negatively affect your dogâs growth plates of the bone growth stops Chris. 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