Effects of Neutering in Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers

<p>Datasets used to study the effects of neutering (including spaying) in increasing the incidence of joint disorders and cancers in both Golden and Labrador Retrievers. Veterinary hospital records from the University of California, Davis were examined over a 13-year period for the effects of neutering during the specified age ranges: before 6 mo., and during 6-11 mo., during 1 year and in years 2 through 8. The diseases examined were hip dysplasia, CCL tear, elbow dysplasia, lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumor, hemangiosarcoma, mammary cancer, and pyometra. Body condition scores were recorded at the time of disease diagnosis.</p

Effects of Neutering in German Shepherd Dogs

<p>Datasets used to study the effects of neutering (including spaying) in increasing the incidence of joint disorders and cancers in German Shepherd Dogs. Veterinary hospital records from the University of California, Davis were examined over a 14.5-year period for the effects of neutering during the specified age ranges: before 6 mo., and during 6-11 mo., during 1 year and in years 2 through 8. The diseases examined were hip dysplasia, CCL tear, elbow dysplasia, lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumor, hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, mammary cancer, pyometra, urinary incontinence, and degenerative myelopathy.</p

Percentages and number of cases over the total sample size for each neutering status group; intact and neutered early or late for female Golden Retrievers (1–8 years old) diagnosed with hip dysplasia (HD), cranial cruciate ligament tear (CCL), lymphosarcoma (LSA), hemangiosarcoma (HSA), and/or mast cell tumor (MCT) at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California, Davis, from 2000–2009.

<p>For CCL the difference between intact and early-neutered was statistically significant (K-M). For HSA, the differences between early and late-neutered and intact and late-neutered groups were statistically significant (RR), as were differences for MCT between early and late-neutered groups. A similar statistical comparison for late neutering and intact groups was not possible for MCT because there were 0 cases in the intact group.</p

Percentages and number of cases over the total sample size for each neutering status group; intact and neutered early or late for male Golden Retrievers (1–8 years old) diagnosed with hip dysplasia (HD), cranial cruciate ligament tear (CCL), lymphosarcoma (LSA), hemangiosarcoma (HSA), and/or mast cell tumor (MCT) at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California, Davis, from 2000–2009.

<p>For HD and LSA, the differences between early-neutered and intact or late-neutered groups were statistically significant (K-M), as were differences for CCL between intact and early-neutered groups.</p

Mean follow-up times for male and female Golden Retrievers (1–8 years old) admitted to the Veterinary Medical Hospital, University of California, Davis, from 2000–2009 by disease status for each neuter category.

<p>NA =  Not applicable because there were no cases of the specific joint disorder or cancer in that neuter category.</p

Categories used in determining diagnosis for joint disorders and cancers of interest in Golden Retrievers (1–8 years old) admitted to the Veterinary Medical Hospital, University of California, Davis, from 2000–2009.

<p>Categories used in determining diagnosis for joint disorders and cancers of interest in Golden Retrievers (1–8 years old) admitted to the Veterinary Medical Hospital, University of California, Davis, from 2000–2009.</p

Total sample sizes obtained for male and female Golden Retrievers (1–8 years old) admitted to the Veterinary Medical Hospital, University of California, Davis, from 2000–2009 according to neuter status classification: intact, early-neutered, and late-neutered.

*<p>Total number of dogs meeting all inclusion criteria.</p>**<p>Includes patients that were diagnosed with a disease of interest prior to eventual late neutering.</p