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posted by martyb on Friday August 14 2020, @07:48AM   Printer-friendly
from the how-much^W-big-is-that-doggie-in-the-window? dept.

Big Dogs Face More Joint Problems if Neutered Early:

It's standard practice in the U.S. and much of Europe to neuter dogs by 6 months of age. This study, which analyzed 15 years of data from thousands of dogs at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, suggests dog owners should consider their options carefully.

"Most dogs are mixed breeds," said lead author Benjamin Hart, distinguished professor emeritus at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

[...] Researchers examined common joint disorders including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament tears, a knee injury, in five weight categories.

[...] The risk of joint disorders for heavier dogs can be up to a few times higher compared to dogs left intact. This was true for large mixed-breed dogs. For example, for female dogs over 43 pounds, the risk jumped from 4 percent for intact dogs to 10-12 percent if spayed before a year of age.

"The study raises unique challenges," noted co-author Lynette Hart, professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "People like to adopt puppies from shelters, but with mixed breeds it may be difficult to determine just how big the dog will become if you don't know anything about the dog's parents."

Neutering prior to adoption is a common requirement or policy of humane societies, animal shelters and breeders. [...] Shelters, breeders and humane societies should consider adopting a standard of neutering at over a year of age for dogs that will grow into large sizes.

Journal Reference:
Hart, Benjamin L., Hart, Lynette A., Thigpen, Abigail P., et al. Assisting Decision-Making on Age of Neutering for Mixed Breed Dogs of Five Weight Categories: Associated Joint Disorders and Cancers, Frontiers in Veterinary Science (DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00472)


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  • (Score: 2) by barbara hudson on Friday August 14 2020, @05:20PM (1 child)

    by barbara hudson (6443) <barbara.Jane.hudson@icloud.com> on Friday August 14 2020, @05:20PM (#1036615) Journal
    I'm not pushing abstinence - Piggy the Jack Russell can hump his toys all he wants - he isn't going to get his teddy bear knocked up.

    I just don't understand how at some times of the year he can go 2-3 hours, stopping just to catch his breath. I know Jack Russell dogs are energetic, but I never expected this much. But I'll give him credit where it's due - he's between 8 and 10 years old, and with all that exercise, everyone says he's really buff.

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  • (Score: 2) by Reziac on Saturday August 15 2020, @01:37PM

    by Reziac (2489) on Saturday August 15 2020, @01:37PM (#1037061) Homepage

    Some dogs are just totally into it... others couldn't care less. I have both extremes in my kennel -- a pair of males who've lived together their whole lives, and spend every waking moment exchanging humps (they have masturbation down to a fine art) ... and a younger male who lives with the girls, but is studiously disinterested unless a female actively courts him, and otherwise absolutely never humps anyone or anything (not even females in heat). His two teenage sons (and my other older males) are more typical ... they'll hump a hot bitch, but otherwise can't be bothered. Of course mine live full-time adjacent to intact females, so it's not something New And Fascinating every time they catch a whiff.

    Have seen the same among females... had one who spent her entire life industriously humping her lady-love (she was, given opportunity, a monogamous lesbian)....and others who are like "keep your nasty twat away from me!" But generally females will hump whatever catches their attention, and if several are in heat together, the choo-choo train can be awesome. Overall they're much more into humping than males could ever be. And males can usually be discouraged, but if females had strap-ons, they'd be dangerous.

    This is 3 females, the one in the middle in heat and the other two intent on committing Dog Rape... and yes, the one on the right is pumping with such enthusiasm that she's completely off the ground.

    http://www.doomgold.com/images/3girls_having_fun_7172.jpg [doomgold.com]

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