Dog Neutering & Cancer

Neutering can provide some benefits, but disadvantages as well.

Neutering your pooch is a matter of public responsibility, as it prevents the possibility of unwanted puppies. However, your veterinarian has likely told you about how neutering Fido can also increase his lifespan and make him calmer. He may also have told you that neutering will decrease Fido's risks of prostate cancer. But you should also know that neutering has been linked by many veterinarians with an increased risk of certain other types of cancers.

Definition

Neutering is a medical procedure by which male dogs are castrated by removing the testicles through a surgical incision. Dogs are often neutered when they are young puppies.

Function

Neutering is used to control the population growth of all types of animals, including dogs. Additionally, neutering reduces sexual behavior in pets and decreases the possibility of certain medical conditions later in pets' lives. One of these conditions is prostate cancer.

Risk

Various studies point to increased risk of several types of cancers in neutered dogs, points out Veterinarian Chris Zink in a 2009 article published by the Canine Sports website. Zink's conclusion is based on an analysis of numerous clinical studies. For instance, he found that male dogs have a 2.4 times greater risk of developing hemangiosarcoma, one of the most common types of cancer in dogs, if they have been neutered. Additionally, neutered males had a two-fold greater risk of developing bone cancer than their unneutered counterparts.

Misconceptions

It's a long-held belief that neutering male dogs diminishes the risk of prostate cancer. But Zink found at least one study suggesting that neutering provides no such benefit. Additionally, veterinarian Mary Wakeman, in a 2003 Breeder Vet article, notes that nearly all dogs with prostate tumors are neutered. She notes that because neutered dogs have no testicles, they can't get testicular cancer. However, she also points out that such cancers are very rare and usually not malignant.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that there is no real medical justification for neutering male dogs. However, other reasons for neutering are still valid. If you don't want to contribute to the existing pet overpopulation problem, then neutering is still a good option.

References

• Pet Place: What Is Neutering?
• Canine Sports: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete
• Vet Breeder: Neutering Male and Female Dogs