A Prospective Study Investigating the Health Outcomes of Bitches Neutered Prepubertally or Post-Pubertally

There are scant studies of associations between the pubertal status at neutering and subsequent health outcomes of female dogs. This study examined health data for Labrador and Golden Retriever crossbreed bitches neutered by ovariohysterectomy either before (PrePN, <i>n</i> = 155) or aft...

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Main Authors: Rachel Moxon, Sarah L. Freeman, Richard M. Payne, Sandra Corr, Gary C. W. England
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/167
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author Rachel Moxon
Sarah L. Freeman
Richard M. Payne
Sandra Corr
Gary C. W. England
author_facet Rachel Moxon
Sarah L. Freeman
Richard M. Payne
Sandra Corr
Gary C. W. England
author_sort Rachel Moxon
collection DOAJ
description There are scant studies of associations between the pubertal status at neutering and subsequent health outcomes of female dogs. This study examined health data for Labrador and Golden Retriever crossbreed bitches neutered by ovariohysterectomy either before (PrePN, <i>n</i> = 155) or after (PostPN, <i>n</i> = 151) puberty using a prospective study design. Data were extracted from an electronic database containing detailed health records for all bitches. Cruciate ligament disease occurred in significantly more PrePN (<i>n</i> = 11) than PostPN bitches (<i>n</i> = 1; Yates Chi-square = 6.784, D.F. = 1, <i>p</i> = 0.009), and PrePN bitches had lower probabilities of remaining free from osteoarthritis (χ<sup>2</sup> = 5.777, D.F. = 1, <i>p</i> = 0.016). Additionally, PrePN bitches were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (PrePN: 3.9 ± 0.6 years, PostPN: 1.6 ± 0.3 years; Mann–Whitney U test = 90.5, <i>p</i> = 0.008) and perivulval dermatitis (PrePN: 4.7 ± 0.9 years, PostPN: 0.8 ± 0.1 years; Mann–Whitney U test = 40.0, <i>p</i> = 0.002) at significantly older ages and had lower probabilities of remaining free from otitis externa (χ<sup>2</sup> = 7.090, D.F. = 1, <i>p</i> = 0.008). No associations were identified between the pubertal status at neutering and the incidence of any urogenital disease, including urinary incontinence, which was diagnosed in a small number of bitches (one PrePN and six PostPN). The results suggest that prepubertal neutering may have a detrimental effect on some future musculoskeletal and immune diseases in bitches of these crossbreeds, providing important information to support neutering policies and to help maintain optimal dog welfare.
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spelling doaj-art-fc79419a091f46168bda6fbb0ac548322025-01-24T13:17:52ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115216710.3390/ani15020167A Prospective Study Investigating the Health Outcomes of Bitches Neutered Prepubertally or Post-PubertallyRachel Moxon0Sarah L. Freeman1Richard M. Payne2Sandra Corr3Gary C. W. England4Canine Science, Guide Dogs National Centre, Banbury Road, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV33 9WF, UKSchool of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UKSchool of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UKSchool of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UKSchool of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UKThere are scant studies of associations between the pubertal status at neutering and subsequent health outcomes of female dogs. This study examined health data for Labrador and Golden Retriever crossbreed bitches neutered by ovariohysterectomy either before (PrePN, <i>n</i> = 155) or after (PostPN, <i>n</i> = 151) puberty using a prospective study design. Data were extracted from an electronic database containing detailed health records for all bitches. Cruciate ligament disease occurred in significantly more PrePN (<i>n</i> = 11) than PostPN bitches (<i>n</i> = 1; Yates Chi-square = 6.784, D.F. = 1, <i>p</i> = 0.009), and PrePN bitches had lower probabilities of remaining free from osteoarthritis (χ<sup>2</sup> = 5.777, D.F. = 1, <i>p</i> = 0.016). Additionally, PrePN bitches were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (PrePN: 3.9 ± 0.6 years, PostPN: 1.6 ± 0.3 years; Mann–Whitney U test = 90.5, <i>p</i> = 0.008) and perivulval dermatitis (PrePN: 4.7 ± 0.9 years, PostPN: 0.8 ± 0.1 years; Mann–Whitney U test = 40.0, <i>p</i> = 0.002) at significantly older ages and had lower probabilities of remaining free from otitis externa (χ<sup>2</sup> = 7.090, D.F. = 1, <i>p</i> = 0.008). No associations were identified between the pubertal status at neutering and the incidence of any urogenital disease, including urinary incontinence, which was diagnosed in a small number of bitches (one PrePN and six PostPN). The results suggest that prepubertal neutering may have a detrimental effect on some future musculoskeletal and immune diseases in bitches of these crossbreeds, providing important information to support neutering policies and to help maintain optimal dog welfare.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/167dogbitchneuterpubertydiseasehealth
spellingShingle Rachel Moxon
Sarah L. Freeman
Richard M. Payne
Sandra Corr
Gary C. W. England
A Prospective Study Investigating the Health Outcomes of Bitches Neutered Prepubertally or Post-Pubertally
Animals
dog
bitch
neuter
puberty
disease
health
title A Prospective Study Investigating the Health Outcomes of Bitches Neutered Prepubertally or Post-Pubertally
title_full A Prospective Study Investigating the Health Outcomes of Bitches Neutered Prepubertally or Post-Pubertally
title_fullStr A Prospective Study Investigating the Health Outcomes of Bitches Neutered Prepubertally or Post-Pubertally
title_full_unstemmed A Prospective Study Investigating the Health Outcomes of Bitches Neutered Prepubertally or Post-Pubertally
title_short A Prospective Study Investigating the Health Outcomes of Bitches Neutered Prepubertally or Post-Pubertally
title_sort prospective study investigating the health outcomes of bitches neutered prepubertally or post pubertally
topic dog
bitch
neuter
puberty
disease
health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/167
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