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. 2017 May 26:4:6.
doi: 10.1186/s40575-017-0044-6. eCollection 2017.

Correlation of neuter status and expression of heritable disorders

Janelle M Belanger  1 , Thomas P Bellumori  1 , Danika L Bannasch  2 , Thomas R Famula  1 , Anita M Oberbauer  1
Affiliations

Correlation of neuter status and expression of heritable disorders

Janelle M Belanger et al. Canine Genet Epidemiol. .

Abstract

Background: Gonadectomy, or neutering, is a very common surgery for dogs having many positive effects on behavior, health, and longevity. There are also certain risks associated with neutering including the development of orthopedic conditions, cognitive decline, and a predisposition to some neoplasias. This study was designed specifically to identify if a correlation exists between neuter status and inherited conditions in a large aggregate cohort of dogs representing many different breeds.

Results: Neutered dogs were at less risk for early and congenital conditions (aortic stenosis, early onset cataracts, mitral valve disease, patent ductus arteriosus, portosystemic shunt, and ventricular septal defect) than intact dogs. Neutering was also associated with reduced risk of dilated cardiomyopathy and gastric dilatation volvulus in males. Neutering was significantly associated with an increased risk for males and females for cancers (hemangiosarcoma, hyperadrenocorticism, lymphoma, mast cell tumor, and osteosarcoma), ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and epilepsy. Intervertebral disk disease was associated with increased risk in females only. For elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, lens luxation, and patellar luxation neutering had no significant effect on the risk for those conditions. Neutering was associated with a reduced risk of vehicular injury, a condition chosen as a control.

Conclusions: In this retrospective study, several conditions showed an increased risk associated with neutering whereas other conditions were less likely to be expressed in neutered dogs. The complexity of the interactions between neutering and inherited conditions underscores the need for reflective consultation between the client and the clinician when considering neutering. The convenience and advantages of neutering dogs that will not be included in a breeding program must be weighed against possible risk associated with neutering.

Keywords: Dog; Inherited disease; Neuter.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Median age at reported diagnosis for the congenital conditions of aortic stenosis (ASTEN), mitral valve disease (MVD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), portosystemic shunt (PSS), and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Female intact are light gray bars, neutered female are light gray hatched bars, male intact are solid black bars, neutered males dark black hatched bars
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Median age (and standard error) at reported diagnosis for genetic conditions and vehicular injury for intact (dark bars) and neutered (light bars) females (a) and males (b). Conditions assessed were cataracts (CAT), lens luxation (LLUX), elbow dysplasia (ELDYS), hip dysplasia (HPDYS), intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), patellar luxation (PLUX), ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (RACL), hyperadrenocorticism (CUSH), hemangiosarcoma (HMSC), lymphoma (LYMPH), mast cell tumor (MAST), osteosarcoma (OSC), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), epilepsy (EPI), gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), and vehicular injury (VEH)
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