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When To Spay Your German Shepherd

Risks Associated With Neutering Before A Year

spay and neuter your pets: german shepherd weekly

As I mentioned earlier, the reasoning behind neutering a dog before a year seems sound. A neutered dog has less testosterone and therefore less of a drive and less aggressive behavior.

However, testosterone doesnt control only sex drive and aggressive behavior, it is an important hormone that regulates growth, muscle fiber, and other important developmental factors.

Neutering a GSD before proper development has been linked with a host of serious health issues. Lets take a look at each of these problems.

Reasons To Consider All Options Before Spaying Or Neutering A Puppy

Dr. Benjamin Hart of the University of California, Davis, has been researching the effects of spay-neuter for a decade, with support from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. His first paper on the subject, published in 2013, revealed that Golden Retrievers that had been spayed or neutered had a correlation of being three or four times more likely to develop certain cancers, including lymphosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma, and also more likely to develop joint problems such as hip dysplasia and damage to the cranial cruciate ligament. The team later published data on German Shepherd Dogs and Labrador Retrievers, finding that early spaying and neutering had varying effects on these dogs likelihood to develop joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence.

And when it comes to dogs weighing more than 20 kilos, the study found that the impact of early spay-neuter varies hugely across breeds and sexes. For instance, since most small dogs didnt experience higher rates of the studied cancers and joint problems, Dr. Hart conjectured that at the other end of the scale, Great Danes might suffer them at a high rate. Yet he found that the gentle giants had no increase in joint disorders after early spay-neuter. That was completely unexpected, Dr. Hart told me.

When To Spay A Puppy

It’s generally recommended to spay puppies between the ages of 4 to 6 months, says the American Animal Hospital Association . By that age a female puppy’s sex organs are fully developed but she hasn’t yet experienced her first heat cycle, during which she could become pregnant.

Spaying a puppy at this age will keep her risk of developing breast cancer extremely low. Waiting until after her first heat cycle will increase this cancer risk, says the AAHA. Subsequent heat cycles will increase the risk even more. So if you’re planning to spay your puppy, the sooner she can have the procedure done after the age of 4 months, the better for her overall health.

However, keep in mind that in many healthcare fields this continues to be studied, and new research is consistently available that certain breeds of dogs may benefit from being spayed slightly later in life. Be sure to speak to your veterinarian about your dog’s specific timeline if you’re interested in spaying.

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How Old Must A German Shepherd Be To Spay

The best age is after one year so that the German shepherd is sufficiently developed to avoid risks. Studies have shown that German Shepherds neutered before six months are more likely to suffer from joint problems.

You should be aware that your dog may have some behavioral problems after the procedure. You may notice that your male German shepherd may be more aggressive after neutering. But you cannot say a fair age for your German shepherd to be neutered or spayed. Some need a unique time depending on the type of GSD.

Benefits: Spay Or Neutering Your German Shepherd Puppy

Spay and Neutering Early Increases Joint Disorders in ...
  • No future unplanned pregnancies. According to recent data, there are nearly 3.3 million dogs at shelters .
  • Reduction of health issues. Females experience fewer infections of the uterus and minimal mammary tumors. For males, theres less chance of developing a large prostate gland or testicular cancer.
  • Neutered dogs are purported to have a lessened desire to roam, and other problematic behaviors .

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What Age Should You Spay Or Neuter Your German Shepherd

Studies have shown that German Shepherds have increased health risks if spayed or neutered too early.

In their latest study, they evaluated nearly 1,200 German Shepherds over a 14.5 year period. They wanted to determine if those spayed and neutered early had more or less joint disease and cancer, which cost German Shepherd pet parents on average $2,683 in 2018 according to Petplan claims data.

The results were surprising:

  • Dogs spayed or neutered before 1 year of age had three times the number of joint disorders.
  • Breast cancer was diagnosed in 4% of intact females, compared with less than 1% in females neutered before 1 year of age.
  • Instances of other cancers were not higher in the spayed and neutered dogs than in intact dogs.
  • Urinary incontinence, not diagnosed in later spayed or intact females, was observed in 7% of females neutered before 1 year of age.

The trend of several studies is becoming clearer: Early spay and neuter may increase the risk of joint disease. Other studies have shown early sterilization may also increase pet obesity and subsequent joint disease and other problems.

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Best Time To Spay Or Neuter A Gsd Dog

Many veterinary organizations do support the spaying and neutering of German Shepherds. But they always warn of the risks of this type of procedure. For this reason, they always advise German Shepherd owners what the recommended age for spaying or neutering is.

Depending on the age, you can reduce your German shepherds health problems. Because as mentioned above, there are many risks with this procedure, and many times, it is a problem.

German Shepherd Dogs that are neutered before the age of 1 year can cause knee problems. If you want to sterilize your German shepherd, you should first consult with your veterinarian, so you can study and learn all the most important aspects of the procedure.

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What Are The Benefits Of Spaying

Most dogs not only German shepherds become more affectionate after this process they are often friendly to other animals and even untrained stop spitting urine around the house.

Because spayed pets remove their ovaries and uterus, these organs are not subject to cancer or other diseases.

Of course, spayed dogs cannot get pregnant, which could be a comfortable option for new pet owners who do not wish to have puppies.

This will reduce the population of dogs, making the shelter more likely to adopt pets and find loving homes.

Start With The Dog Breed Standard

When to spay or neuter your dog with German Shepherd Man

According to the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, the German Shepherd as a breed typically stands between 22 and 24 inches tall for female adult dogs and 24 to 26 inches tall for male adult dogs.

No weight range is given for the official dog breed standard.

However, the standard does say the dog typically measures between 8.5 and 10 inches from the dogs breastbone to pelvis .

So these can give you some good starting measurements.

The American Kennel Club gives a 50 to 90 pounds weight range, with about 10 pounds difference between adult females and adult males.

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How Long After Spay Does Dog Calm Down

For these, it often takes two to three days for dogs to return to their normal selves after a spay and one to two for a neuter. Dogs over three years of age may take a day or two longer to recover. In many instances, older dogs can take up to a week to feel completely better after a spay or neuter surgery.

Misconceptions Aboutspaying And Neutering

It is not immediately effective.

After neutering, it will take some time before a GermanShepherd male is completely infertile. Keep a newly neutered male away fromfemale dogs for approximately 2 to 4 weeks to avoid unplanned litters.

It is not a quick fix for aggression or behavioral problems.

Some people decide to spay or neuter their German Shepherds when they begin to see signs of aggression, thinking that sterilization would offer an easy fix.

However, aggression could be caused by a number of factors including genes, environment, poor training, improper socialization, and illness.

It does not make your German Shepherd overweight.

Studies show that spayed and neutered dogs are less energetic. This causes people to think that sterilization makes them prone to obesity. However, this is easily controlled through proper food portions and ample exercise.

It doesnt leave your dog with an identity crisis

Dogs dont feel that they are less masculine or feminine after sterilization. This is because they dont have the same social beliefs about gender as human beings do. Accordingly, spaying or neutering doesnt leave them with a gender or identity crisis.

It doesnt make your German Shepherd less protective.

German Shepherds are naturally protective of their homes and families regardless of whether or not theyve been altered. Protectiveness is an instinct thats not affected by the presence or absence of reproductive parts.

Its still important in single-dog homes.

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Contact Us For Help In San Jose

If you are thinking about having your dog neutered, contact our team at Willow Glen Pet Hospital. We will perform a complete exam to get your pet prepared for the procedure. We are committed to providing the highest quality of care for pets in San Jose and the surrounding areas. Give us a call to see how we can help you and your dog.

When Should I Have My German Shepherd Spayed Or Neutered

Early Spaying

Whilst recommendations vary, vets typically suggest that you should have your German Shepherd spayed or neutered between the ages of four and nine months. There are various reasons for such a broad timeframe, although some vets suggest that timing can have positive effects on your German Shepherds behaviour, dependent on their sex.

Although there is no 100% definite answer, it is often suggested that you should have your male German Shepherd neutered after he has reached the age of puberty. This is thought to have long-term health benefits, as well as helping to prevent behavioural traits, such as marking and aggression.

For female German Shepherds, there is no dead set answer as to when you should have them spayed. Whilst some recommend spaying before first heat , others suggest that this can increase the risk of mammary tumours. We would always recommend consulting your vet for a personalised opinion.

Some studies have said that spaying and castration can prolong the life of dogs and possibly reduce future problems later on in life. Castrating a male reduces the risk of prostate and testicilar cancer.

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Additional Irving Spays & Neuter Services

On top of what we require, Low Cost Pet Vet does recommend some services as additional insurance. These services would be extra, and we dont need them for the surgery to be successful. We simply recommend them as an extra measure of security and safety.

IV Fluids

IV fluids are helpful for surgery. They support hydration and blood pressure. Also, they provide our veterinarian immediate access to the bloodstream.

When To Spay A Femalepuppy

Conventional beliefs state that female German Shepherds should be spayed before they go into first heat, around 6 months of age.

This is because studies have shown that spaying at this time would practically eliminate the risk of breast cancer and the uterine infection called pyometra.

However, there are various other factors to consider before making the decision to spay.

Spaying of German Shepherd Dogs and Female-Specific Illnesses

Spaying at younger than 6 months old gives your German Shepherd the highest risk of developing at least one type of cancer. Based on cancer risk, the best spay age is between 6 months and less than 2 years of age.

Taking into account the risk for joint disorders, female-specific diseases, and associated cancers, the best age to spay a female German Shepherd is around 1 year old.

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When Is It Too Late To Neuter

You might be wondering if there is a point when it is too late to neuter your dog but it turns out that there really isnt one.

Older German Shepherds can benefit from the effects of neutering just as much as younger dogs.

I know that a lot of German Shepherd owners wait until their dog is at least 2 years of age before they take them to be neutered. The reason being they want to make sure their dog is completely done growing before hand.

While this is a good sentiment, most experts agree that it is unnecessary. As long as he is at least a year he should be fine.

If you have an older German Shepherd that you are considering neutering, take him into the vet. You can run a blood test to see if your dog is healthy enough to be neutered.

Older dogs that are neutered are reported to be more docile and obedient. Although you can certainly have an obedient dog that hasnt been neutered with proper training.

What About The Risks Of Anesthetics

Neutering & Spaying German Shepherds: What You Should Know

For any surgery, your dog will be put under general anesthetic, and neutering/spaying is no different.

This will mean that your dog is in a very deep sleep throughout the procedure, totally unconscious, and unable to feel or tell what is going on around them.

Heavy sedation is essential for surgeries to go smoothly. But there are some risks associated with anesthesia, especially if it is not administered properly, so lets take a look at these potential risks.

Every year, 1 in 1,000 dogs that are put under anesthesia do not wake up when the surgery is complete.

This is partly influenced by the risk of anesthesia, but it is more commonly influenced by practitioners making mistakes, or not using the anesthesia correctly.

This is why it is incredibly important that you speak to your veterinarian about the process before you hand your dog over to them.

This is also why it is important to build a good relationship with your veterinarian to ensure that you can trust them with your dogs life.

To help decide if your veterinarian can be trusted to complete this surgery on your dog, you should ask them all the following questions:

You might feel like you are nagging by asking these questions, but it is important to get as much information as possible before the procedure is completed.

A good veterinarian will understand your concerns and will give honest and clear answers to help ease your worry.

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Do Female German Shepherds Calm Down After Spaying

Does spaying a German shepherd calm her down? Generally speaking, as long as a German Shepherd has no preexisting behavioral issues, his behavior will slowly calm down over the course of a few months after being neutered. However, in some dogs, this process can take several years to have a noticeable effect.

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Why Neuter Or Spay A German Shepherd

You might not believe it, but there are actually plenty of reasons why you need to neuter or spay a German shepherd.

One of the most common reasons involves overpopulation.

Overpopulation is found to be one of the most significant reasons why German shepherds are euthanized. After all, birth can be laborious and youll be surprised how many puppies dont make it.

This is the number one reason why neutering and spaying were introduced. However, there are other benefits that come from the procedure:

  • Spaying a female German shepherd may prevent breast tumors and uterine infections.
  • Neutering a male dog can lower the chances of prostate and testicular disorders.
  • A spayed female German shepherd will no longer feel the need to attract mates. Actions such as urinating continually and yowling will be prevented.
  • Male German shepherds that are neutered will not put effort into going outdoors to search for females.

Of course, other effects come when you neuter or spay a German shepherd, and we can say that its not all good. There are risks, too, which leads us to the next topic.

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Health Benefits Of Neutering:

According to the Animal Cancer Foundation, around 6 millioncompanion dogs are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States alone.

In addition, a study published by the Journal of Comparative Pathology in 2008 revealed that 27% of unneutered dogs develop at least one testicular tumor.

Based on the research by the National Canine Cancer Foundation, testicular tumors make up 90% of canine cancers related to the male reproductive system.

Apart from preventing testicular tumors and cancer, neutering your German Shepherd would also prevent prostate problems as he ages.

Neutering is also believed to reduce the risk of diabetes as well as perianal fistulas, a medical condition thats relatively common among German Shepherds.

Will Getting A Male German Shepherd Neutered Calm Him Down

Deciding whether to spay or neuter your German Shepherd is ...

Neutering your german shepherd can help to calm him down, but the amount of change you see in your dog and how fast you see it will depend on multiple factors. Some dogs may continue to be hyperactive despite being neutered, but you can help him to make the changes youd like to see by spending time training him.

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Do Female Dogs Get Aggressive Before Going Into Heat

Some signs of a female dog going into heat may include lower energy levels, more aggressive behavior, differences in leg-raising while urinating, urinating more often than usual, and even running away from home. This is unlike male dogs, who do not experience heat cycles.

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