The Cutting Edge Veterinary Podcast

STUDENTS: Rachael Morrison, Bailey Harper and Heather Burnett

FACULTY MENTORS: Drs. Marina McConkey and Ning Cheng

The ideal age of desexing dogs is a topic of ongoing debate within the veterinary community that owners and veterinarians work collaboratively to decide. Health based decisions for the age of desexing have been largely influenced by the belief that the risk of mammary carcinomas increases with each heat cycle in female dogs. However, recent literature has questioned the validity of these claims. In addition to mammary carcinomas, this presentation reviews the current literature on the relationship between age of desexing and musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. The findings suggest a protective relationship between finalised skeletal maturity before desexing and development of MSK disorders such as cranial cruciate ligament tears, elbow dysplasia, and hip dysplasia. Desexing is not the only factor that affects these disorders with anticipated adult weight being a major factor, along with breed and sex. Other health factors that are more briefly discussed in relation to timing of desexing include prostatic neoplasia, hemangiosarcoma, and urinary sphincter mechanism incompetence. An assessment of confounding variables present in the current literature that may lead to biased results and conclusions are also considered. Overall, the findings presented in this presentation can help guide clinicians and clients on the best age to desex.