i-tails.com Community

Please read this article prior to deciding when to spay/neuter your new giant breed puppy. This article contains important information on the risks associated with early spay/neuter (prior to full maturity) that most vets unfortunately do not share with people.

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermH...InDogs.pdf

This is a lengthy article, but please read it. Two of the most shocking risks associated with spaying/neutering young puppies mentioned in the article include:

• an increased risk of bone cancer (and giant breeds are already high risk)
• up to a 70% increased risk of developing hip dysplasia
  

PLEASE weigh the decision of when to spay/neuter carefully, and do your own research on the subject. Talk to your breeder, talk to other giant breed dog owners, and don't just spay/neuter a young puppy without considering the long term side effects of doing so.

This thread is truly a "must read" for Mastiff owners. Such critical information.

I find it incredible that some vets have no clue and are spaying and neutering Mastiffs at 1 year and under. I've recently heard of a (so called) Mastiff "breeder" (make that "ignorant back yard breeder") who contractually requires spaying/neutering of pet quality pups at 6 months! This is appalling and heinous. And any vet who would ignore the published research on premature spaying and neutering in giant breeds is an idiot and should lose his/her license.

I recently received the following photos from my breeder. Keep in mind that these girls are both from the same litter of 12 puppies. They were virtually identical twins up until 6 months of age.

"C" was spayed at 6 months old because her owner didn't want to deal with her going through even her first heat! The resulting deformities are pronounced and obvious. Even her head to this day remains malformed and undersized, her bones are thin and elongated and the spine is obviously deformed.

There are 10 other littermates, 2 of which were spayed at 18 and 22 months and all are beautiful like "M". Is it any coincidence that "C" suffers from these problems - no way! 11 puppies grow up to look like M and the one who was prematurely spayed ends up with problems. As bad as "C's" problems are they are not nearly as bad as the boy I mentioned above who was neutered at 9 weeks old. Giant breeds are incredibly sensitive to premature spaying/neutering.

In these photos they are 20 months of age. Their litter mates all turned out like "M" and 2 of the other girls out of the same litter turned out like "M" after being spayed at 18 and 22 months (they are now about 3 years old).

"C" at 20 months: (look closely at the head, spine, leg bones and feet)


"M" at 20 months:

"C's" deformities are obvious in the spine, legs and feet (which turn outward). Keep in mind that this photo was taken 14 months after "C" being spayed.

She is already suffering from dysplasia and has difficulty getting up and down and walking even is painful. Running is out of the question. So far there are no symptoms of other systemic problems or cancer. We are hoping that this is the extent of her problems.

Even so "C's" quality of life has been minimized to just getting by. Running, playing, and being pain free are things she may never know. She is being treated for dysplasia with NSAID's but they are known to cause liver and kidney problems so it's a very sad situation.

Thanks for the info Robo and mydog8it. I live by a small town in an even smaller community. Every vet I've spoken to suggests we fix our saint pup at 6 months( the one vet even owns a neo). I find it scary that so many vets reccomend spaying giants at 6 months without even informing owners of the risks. Addy's(our saint) breeder stipulates no spaying before 18months, preferable the full 2 years.

A freind has a 5 month old saint, she is getting him neutered right at 6 months because "her vet told her too", I pointed out the studies and she said her vet told her a saint thats not neutered at 6months, will have hernia after hernia until they are neutered. So he goes under the knife in less than a month. Sad, all because of misinformation...

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ARTICLE. I HAVE A 5 MO OLD ENGLISH MASTIFF AND I HAVE HEARD ABOUT WAITING TO CASTRATE HIM UNTIL 12-18 MONTHS OF AGE AND WHY. BUT THAT EXPLAINED A LOT MORE.


Please read this article prior to deciding when to spay/neuter your new giant breed puppy. This article contains important information on the risks associated with early spay/neuter (prior to full maturity) that most vets unfortunately do not share with people.

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermH...InDogs.pdf

This is a lengthy article, but please read it. Two of the most shocking risks associated with spaying/neutering young puppies mentioned in the article include:

• an increased risk of bone cancer (and giant breeds are already high risk)
• up to a 70% increased risk of developing hip dysplasia
  

PLEASE weigh the decision of when to spay/neuter carefully, and do your own research on the subject. Talk to your breeder, talk to other giant breed dog owners, and don't just spay/neuter a young puppy without considering the long term side effects of doing so.
[/quote]

(06-27-2011 03:19 PM)Bears mom Wrote: [ -> ]THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ARTICLE. I HAVE A 5 MO OLD ENGLISH MASTIFF AND I HAVE HEARD ABOUT WAITING TO CASTRATE HIM UNTIL 12-18 MONTHS OF AGE AND WHY. BUT THAT EXPLAINED A LOT MORE.


Please read this article prior to deciding when to spay/neuter your new giant breed puppy. This article contains important information on the risks associated with early spay/neuter (prior to full maturity) that most vets unfortunately do not share with people.

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermH...InDogs.pdf

This is a lengthy article, but please read it. Two of the most shocking risks associated with spaying/neutering young puppies mentioned in the article include:

• an increased risk of bone cancer (and giant breeds are already high risk)
• up to a 70% increased risk of developing hip dysplasia
  

PLEASE weigh the decision of when to spay/neuter carefully, and do your own research on the subject. Talk to your breeder, talk to other giant breed dog owners, and don't just spay/neuter a young puppy without considering the long term side effects of doing so.

A wise and loving Mom! I commend you for taking a "safety first" approach to raising your big boy!

Thanks for sharing this information.This could be of great help for the puppy owners.It is essential to take extra care with the puppies. It is also necessary to give training to the puppies so that they become obedient to their owners.

I have a 6 month old pup we were "told" is 1/2 Bullmastiff and 1/2 St Bernard...at the same vets office, 1 doctor told me to neuter him by 6 months at the latest and the 2nd dr asked me if I was willing to wait. After reading this article I was quick to tell her I was happy to hear her ask that and am more than willing. Yesterday I met a lady that is head of a rescue group and of course she told me to neuter him asap. I told her I am planning to, but not at least till 1 yr. I have never seen someone so rudely laugh in my face before. She told me how stupid vets are that recommend waiting and went on and on.She told me it does not stunt their growth at all and that it actually CAUSES cancer if you wait. I was so dumbfounded by how she acted that I just kept my mouth shut. She did not change my mind though...I still plan to wait...it just seems there are a lot more people out there pushing for early spaying/neutering that waiting.

(12-02-2011 05:07 PM)angelamac Wrote: [ -> ]I have a 6 month old pup we were "told" is 1/2 Bullmastiff and 1/2 St Bernard...at the same vets office, 1 doctor told me to neuter him by 6 months at the latest and the 2nd dr asked me if I was willing to wait. After reading this article I was quick to tell her I was happy to hear her ask that and am more than willing. Yesterday I met a lady that is head of a rescue group and of course she told me to neuter him asap. I told her I am planning to, but not at least till 1 yr. I have never seen someone so rudely laugh in my face before. She told me how stupid vets are that recommend waiting and went on and on.She told me it does not stunt their growth at all and that it actually CAUSES cancer if you wait. I was so dumbfounded by how she acted that I just kept my mouth shut. She did not change my mind though...I still plan to wait...it just seems there are a lot more people out there pushing for early spaying/neutering that waiting.

That lady is misinformed (aka Ignorant)! I would not spay or neuter any giant breed before 18 months and preferably 22 months. Rescue groups are notorious for perpetuating the myth that it is best to spay/neuter ASAP as their goal is to cut down on homeless dogs. This is understandable when they are referring to smaller breeds where it is safe to do so. However, to recommend this for a giant breed or giant mixed breed is grossly irresponsible, dangerous and cruel.

Giant breeds mature more slowly and it can take up to 3 years for them (as in the case of the English Mastiff) to fully mature. Sure you CAN spay or neuter early but it is dangerous and highly irresponsible. If you think that lady is bad, think of the vets who do the spay/neuter without warning their patients' owners of the risks and dangers involved. The vet that gave you the 6 month time table is just as ignorant and should be sanctioned at best or at least shunned for being so foolish.