This is a highly complex subject and should you wish to discuss it in more detail, please contact me for more in depth and most up to date information. I have completed Sarah Whitehead’s course of the same name as part of my CPD and the following brief outlines what was covered and gives some information about why it is better to chat in person on this subject.
You might have questions about a new puppy you are bringing home and what might be the options going forward or you may have an adolescent that is over stimulated and boisterous, one that is fearful or reactive – there will be different answers depending on many factors including breed and each dog’s own nature. Neutering can have different effects on different breeds and there are things that some breeds seem particularly prone to (such as cruciate ligament rupture) which may mean you want to take a different stance or factor that into your decision. Things like separation anxiety may also be triggered – but the why’s of that might not be so obvious, so looking at your individual dog and his or her breed might be relevant for you. Some behaviours will manifest more in males than females – so again, your decision may be effected by the sex of the dog your have.
Of course, there are times when for health reasons you have no option but to neuter and your vet will alert you to some of those at health checks and with something like pyometra it is a medical emergency – so the decision is clear.
There is no “one size fits all” and the scientific evidence has changed over the years with some very recent research that you might not have come across. It’s hard to keep up with it all, which is why we are indebted to people like Sarah Whitehead who has spent over 2 years sifting the wheat from the chaff and continues to keep up with what is current. There are even studies going on (2020/2021) that are not complete at the time of writing this and are yet to be published.
As Sarah says:
- There is lots of misinformation out there
- The topic suffers from opinion bias
- There is a need to look at the bigger picture including mental, emotional and physical issues.
- The scientific evidence has changed over the years and is hard to keep up with
- Even your vets will have different opinions, suggestions and methods
If you want to find out more and would like to chat through your options in order to make an informed decision, use our form to contact me or find me on FB and message me!
“It’s a way to have one’s cake and eat it too: a way to spay female dogs (thus addressing the population concerns) within the increased cancer risk from hormone loss (particularly in large and giant breeds) that are only recently beginning to be understood”
- BAHVS article: alternative surgical approaches to standard neutering procedures
- Videos for veterinary use:
FaceBook Group for those interested in OSS and Vasectomy
This link will take you to a group you can join that supports those interested in this option. There is a list of vets who perform the operations and a great number of articles (look under the Guides heading) many of which are highly educational veterinary documents
False Pregnancy/Phantom Pregnancy/PseudoPregnancy https://www.galastop.com
As outlined on the Galastop Website – This is a non-hormonal treatment and easy to administer, as a liquid in the food, and is available on prescription from your veterinary surgeon. Treatment in this way will help alleviate suffering and return your pet back to her normal self.
Suprelorin – long-lasting hormonal implant to chemically castrate dogs as an alternative to neutering – Virbac product available in UK
Note – for those considering this route, testosterone increases quite dramatically in the 2 weeks after the implant. This can have a considerable effect on behavioural issues. Be especially aware of this should you decide to try it to reduce reactive/aggressive behaviours and so so in consultation with your vet and behaviour practitioner.
https://nz.virbac.com/products/reproduction-and-contraception/suprelorin
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/overview/suprelorin-epar-summary-public_en.pdf