Before Neutering Your Dog, You MUST Read This
31 Jan 2018
Category:- Health and Wellbeing
Did you know that it’s a biological FACT that the same hormones related to the sex organs of a dog also support and encourage healthy bone, joint and cartilage development? Basically if your dog is going to grow into an adult properly, safely and healthily you need to leave these hormone levels IN the body until they have done so. Then, and only then, go ahead with neutering if this is something you wish to do.
The sex hormones, such as Testosterone and Estrogen, are also known as growth plate hormones, they interact with your dog’s bone growth to ensure that when the growth reaches a certain stage it stops and stays at a size suitable for the dog's function and movement.
If the hormones are not present, the bone can keep on growing leaving the joint over developed, awkward inside, and much more prone to damage, inflammation and future issues. The same hormones also play a role in bone density, ensuring essential minerals reach the bone growth stage. A lack of the hormones could create a lack of mineral availability and thus a weaker bone density.
What is just about the No.1 ailment in dogs today? Yep its Joint issues.
Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia and other joint issues are so much of a ‘thing’ for dogs that we dog owner’s kind of accept it, we even almost expect it to happen! Yet this really doesn’t have to be the case.
Of course, there is the nutritional consideration to joint issues, the possible link between over vaccination and the influence of ageing to consider as well. But if there is something we can do for them that definitely means we played an active role in preventing future issues, and learn understand them better too, my view is we should act on that. Especially when its rooted in Biological Science! It’s a biological FACT that these hormones play this role in the dog’s body. But just in case you are someone who doesn’t feel we should always simply agree with biology,
there are some scientific studies highlighting the issue included at the end of this blog.
For many dog owners, and dog professionals, what is ‘usually done’ takes over. Busy professionals have little time to question most ‘common practices’. If you find yourself being questioned over your decision to wait, by all means print these studies off. However, be aware this is your decision, there is no harm in waiting – but clearly there is harm in doing something which is common practice simply because it is common!
As a footnote, not only do joint issues cause pain and inflammation, but they also influence behaviour too. Dogs in pain, even subtle aches rather than obvious movement issues, feel differently about life. They can be less easy to handle and can be more reactive to something that concerns them. A dog who feels limited in movement, even subtly, will immediately feel less safe in situations as his No.1 choice for safety – Flight, is compromised.
So, there are many sides to the neutering early story, but if it means a chance of a calmer, happier, and less likely to be in pain dog – I’m all for waiting.