I asked this question on a thread in the behaviour forum, but as it was a bit off-topic, it was not answered.
At Admin's suggestion I am starting a new thread.

I have noticed that many posters mention all the long-term problems caused by castration or spay of dogs. Could someone please give me a list of these problems?
quote "Links to any documented studies proving that castration and spaying are linked to problems, would also benefit the statements that are frequently made or implied on this forum. "

Thanks
pauline

An article in The Golden Retriever News (magazine of the GRCA) Mar/Apr 1988, suggests that spaying of bitches that have dominance aggression can exacerbate the problem.

Jnl of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Mar/Apr 1999. Research suggests that the risk of cardiac tumors is increased by spaying & castrating, with bitches at a higher risk than males.

2002 study at Univ. of Purdue concludes that the risk of osteosarcoma is significantly increased in dogs that are spayed/catrated within the first year of life

Thanks for the reply, Shadowboxer.

I find it a bit amazing that a couple of members here constantly mention problems caused by spaying or castrating, and they have said that it is 'proven' or 'a fact', and they have not responded to my question.

I am not trying to start any arguments, but I feel that if people could read literature (especially up to date literature) then they would be able to make an educated decision concerning their dogs.

Pauline

I would be interested to read about proven studies with regard to problems after neutering or spaying too.

I have always understood that early neutering can lead to problems as the animal isn't either physically or mentally mature but have always been left wondering about the problems mentioned a lot, by certain forum members, about the dire consequences of the ops at any age, whether these are simply based on their own experiences or whether they have read conclusive studies that they can pass on to the rest of us :)

This is not to say personal experience isn't valuable of course, just that not many members have had more than the *usual* amount of dogs on which to base it.

The problem is that not all studies are available on the Net, so can't be shown as proof.

Apologies. The issue of GR News containing the article on spaying should read 1998 NOT 1988.