barry581 (02-24-2017), dxboon (02-23-2017), windycanyon (02-23-2017)
Findings were not what you might expect ...
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201702/are-there-behavior-changes-when-dogs-are-spayed-or-neutered
Annette
Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009
And remembering:
Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015
And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014
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barry581 (02-24-2017), dxboon (02-23-2017), windycanyon (02-23-2017)
Interesting.
We have no idea how old Sunnie was when we had her spayed (as soon as the vet agreed after the puppers were weaned...3 months later or so, if I recall correctly). We think, based on the age range a vet dentist gave us after seeing her dental x-rays, that she was probably around 6. So she'd had a good number of years of hormonal influence...including gosh knows how many litter-related hormone surges.
Shortly after that surgery, we noticed her getting more and more anxious and fearful...something that has progressed with age.
I always figured it was like with a post-menopausal woman. Stereotypically. Much lower levels of hormones = emotional issues exacerbated. I use progesterone cream but figure I can't really use that on the pooch...both dogs would be licking it off.
We have a link to the Duffy/Serpell study here:
Neuter/Spay - Pros, Cons, Risks, Benefits - Research Article Links
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Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content
windycanyon (02-23-2017)
I don't know if I believe it. I must have the anomalies the report didn't cover. I have neutered 3 males later in life and spayed 1 older girl ... and I see none of the characteristics they report happening....
But then again, we all rely on the ONE article about not removing dew claws (by Chris Zink) and swear it's the truth. My vet doesn't see it.
Everything with a grain of salt....
Jen
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Oh, we have the Parvene Farhoody link too, in the same sticky as above.
ETA: And we have a link to the CBARQ, same place.
Last edited by Snowshoe; 02-23-2017 at 04:57 PM.
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Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content
I think one takeaway is just that people cannot assume that neuter/spay is going to automatically fix/prevent behavioral problems. A lot of issues I see people bring up are fears about humping, marking, aggression. Sterilization may not solve those issues. Some of those things may be more about training and inherent temperament. For me personally, I don't think I will neuter again, unless there is something very specific that changes from a lifestyle or health point of view. For those who do want to neuter/spay their Labs, I really hope they wait until their dogs are done growing. I think there are real benefits to waiting, and feel we'll see more and more studies come out that support that position.
ZoeysMommy (02-23-2017)
I work on a lot of behavior problems and most of them come from behavior specialists. The reason that we cannot usually get to the source of these problems is that it is usually many variables that can cause the problems. Recent studies indicate that a lot of the behavior issues found in young dogs can be linked to leaky gut syndrome and improper absorption of chemicals that don't typically get into the system.. Ethanol and acetylaldehyde are examples. These chemicals easily cross the blood-brain barrier and have an effect on behavior and other brain issues, including seizures. Still much to learn about behavior in pets.
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