Desexing - making sense of the literature and conversations with clients. A specialist surgeon's point of view.

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Desexing - making sense of the literature and conversations with clients. A specialist surgeon's point of view.

Dr Abbie Tipler ATCL BVSc MANZCVS, FANZCVS (Surgery)

Which statement is CORRECT ?

Correct answer (a)

a) desexed dogs had a longer overall lifespan compared to entire dogs, however this evidence may be bias

b) ovariohysterectomy increases the risk of vaginal tumors

c) castration increases the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia

d) ovariohysterectomy decreases the risk of urinary incontinence

Which statement is CORRECT ?

Correct Answer -(b)

a) desexing dogs and cats decreases the risk of obesity

b) desexing dogs prior to skeletal maturity increases the risk of orthopaedic disease in some breeds

c) the risk of cancer increases with desexing in all dog breeds

d) pet owners are responsible and 95% of them obey their spey/neuter contracts when they obtain a puppy that is entire

e) there is no difference in the risk of orthopaedic disease developing in different sizes of mixed breed dog

Which statement is CORRECT ?

Correct Answer -(c)

a) dogs that have an ovary-sparing hysterectomy cannot get an ovarian cancer

b) dogs that have an ovary-sparing hysterectomy will not have a heat cycle c - ⁠ovary-sparing hysterectomy removes the uterus, cervix and possibly one ovary

c) ovary-sparing hysterectomy removes the uterus, cervix and possibly one ovary

d) tubal ligation in dogs removes the ovaries but leaves the uterus

Which answer is INCORRECT?

Correct Answer -(b)

a) ovariectomy is a similar procedure to traditional ovariohysterectomy in terms of outcome

b) hormones are maintained when an ovariectomy is performed versus ovariohysterectomy

c) In male dogs, vasectomy renders a dog sterile, but in other respects, the advantages and disadvantages are for intact (entire) dogs.

d) In male dogs, neuticals (testicular implants) do not provide testosterone or other hormones

Which statement is INCORRECT as it pertains to decision-making around desexing?

Correct Answer -(c)

a) Pyometra, unwanted pregnancies and mammary neoplasia are prevalent in populations of entire dogs, provide an unexpected and possibly high expense to dog owners. There is also a high rate of euthanasia in shelters.

b) Hormones seem to have a protective effect on orthopaedic disease, neoplasia, urinary incontinence and obesity in some breeds

c) There is no potential advantage to an ovary-sparing hysterectomy when compared to traditional ovariohysterectomy

d) The decision on whether to de-sex is complex and needs to be discussed individually with each owner considering patient breed, temperament and age as well as client preference and local infectious disease prevalence. ⁠