A four-month-old mixed breed intact female dog from a rescue organization was presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) Primary Care Surgery Service for an elective ovariohysterectomy. Due to a previous diagnosis of behavioral anxiety, surgery was initially delayed for a week to allow for development of a trusting relationship with the dog’s caretakers. Surgery was then performed successfully, and she was discharged to the rescue organization for adoption.

This seminar will review the controversies surrounding the risks and benefits of surgical sterilization, the age at which surgery is performed, and the subsequent development of behavioral, skeletal, and medical issues in dogs. Hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate disease have been speculated to be a consequence of early neutering, especially in large breed dogs. Pet owners often believe that neutering will decrease aggressive behaviors and/or other unwanted behaviors. The risk of urinary incontinence in male and female dogs have been postulated to increase secondary to sterilization. The veterinary community advocates for neutering both for population control and based on studies that demonstrate an increased risk of cancer, such as mammary carcinoma and testicular tumors, with prolonged exposure to gonadal hormones. In contrast, other studies have suggested that sterilization may be associated with the development of lymphosarcoma and mast cell tumors in some breeds.