Castration of giant dogs

Re: Castration of giant dogs

bob lehner — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:18:11 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]

Why not go for Suprelorin?

[/quote]

I did speak to Virbac and they said that whilst the Suprelorin should reduce the undesirable male behaviour they were a bit uncertain as to its effects on closure of growth plates etc in this situation.

Does anybody know ( e.g. Malcom Ness ) how much effect testosterone has on closure of growth plates as compared to growth hormone etc ?

Re: Castration of giant dogs

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:12:10 GMT

I would say don't do it until fully grown unless oversexed and going to be PTSed for behavioural reasons . The increased risk of an osteosarc is then acceptable when the alternative is certain death

Wynne

Re: Castration of giant dogs

Thomas Johnson — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:05:27 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]

Except testicular tumors are a lot easier and more successful to treat?

[/quote]

I've seen a couple of surprisingly large ones that I've no idea how the owner's haven't noticed! Straightforward removal of testicle (scrotal ablation) but risk of metastasis...

Re: Castration of giant dogs

Rob Loxley — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:29:25 GMT

[quote user="Thomas Johnson"]I have vague memories of an article that suggested that the increased risk of tumours such as osteosarcomas was outweighed by the prevention of testicular tumours.[/quote]

Except testicular tumors are a lot easier and more successful to treat?

Re: Castration of giant dogs

Bob Russell — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:30:05 GMT

The Rottie study was in a questionnaire format and did not take into account differences in obesity for example. I am not convinced that study is as convincing as it first appears for this reason.

If there is a link between trauma and bone tumour risk then obesity may well be a factor. Neutered pets are more likely to be overweight so this may increase tumour risks (possibly a range of tumours) as it appears to do in man. Is it neutering or obesity that increases the risk? I am happy to neuter at a year for large/giant breeds and this is all discussed before I go ahead.

If anyone has seen good studies that genuinely do suggest increased risk I would like to have a look at it!

Re: Castration of giant dogs

Thomas Johnson — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:26:39 GMT

I have vague memories of an article that suggested that the increased risk of tumours such as osteosarcomas was outweighed by the prevention of testicular tumours.

Re: Castration of giant dogs

Mark Holmes — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:06:22 GMT

There was a reference to a study on one thread somewhere which discussed the full range of tumours that could result from neutering and called into question the "neutering is in the interest of your pet's health" argument

Re: Castration of giant dogs

Rob Loxley — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:40:57 GMT

There are reports of increased risk of osteosarc (and prostatic neoplasia) in early neutered dogs (large study on rotties for the OSA). The absolute effect on growth plate closure has been shown, but I've not come across anyone showing a clinical implication of this.

Why not go for Suprelorin?

Re: Castration of giant dogs

Rachael Winder — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:19:29 GMT

I've also had a client refuse castration of a labrador who was knocking over the toddler to hump it, because a trainerd had told her the dog would get osteosarcoma if she neutered it. I did find some studies done in the US on Rotties suggesting early neutering could affect osteosarcoma rates in large breeds, but not sure how conclusive it all was.