Spaying, Neutering and Cancer in Rottweilers
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: November 20th, 2018
Okay everyone, today I am going outside the realm of politically correct. You will see me do this from time to time, and some readers are not going to like it. Sorry, but I want to present information, and I don’t care if it is not PC if it saves lives.
As a vet, I am trained to promote spaying and neutering so dogs in shelters are not euthanized (killed) before they find homes. This is sensible wisdom, and I agree. But guess what… whenever we intervene with a surgery, medication, or a supplement, there are effects on our dogs. And some of these effects are called “side effects”, because we don’t like them.
A little background first: Osteosarcoma is a brutal, aggressive cancer of the bone, common in large dogs such as Rotts, Wolfhounds, Goldens are more.
Here is some information that has been more or less kept under wraps, or has not been spread in the veterinary community for whatever reason:
If a male Rott is neutered before a year of age, his rate of osteosarcoma ALMOST QUADRUPLES.
If a female Rott is spayed before a year of age, her rate of osteosarcoma MORE THAN TRIPLES.
If a purebred dog is spayed or neutered before a year of age, his or her rate of osteosarcoma MORE THAN DOUBLES.
This information has massive ramifications, especially among owners of Rotts.
These figures were taken from an article in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, Nov. 2002.
To be sure, spaying and neutering saves lives, especially those of dogs in shelters and those in need of homes. But we must not be rigid in our thinking, because the “facts” of today are not those of tomorrow.
It’s my viewpoint that Rotts should be spayed and neutered after a year of age. Just my two cents, friends.
Best,
Dr Dressler
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Dear Dr. Dressler,
I am at my wits end with my best friend Baron, a 9 year old Rottie. He has had a very tough year. He had a anul gland tumor(benign) removed in March. In May he had his spleen removed (benign) also. He was doing very well until August this year, he started having seizures and they became closer and closer. Finally, today, after not pooping for 4 days and losing mobility in his rear legs, I get him to my Vet who tells me the following: She has found a mass right where the prostate is by Xray, she also said his hips look really bad, and he is having problems walking. She said it’s hard to tell if his gait walking side wides is neurological or because he’s in pain and his hips are bad. My dog IS NOT neutered and is my best friend so my question is what are the chances this cancer or just an infection or BHP. He has no loss in appetite, and is mentally very alert.
Just a note – I have a 4 month old Rott male and was told at our vet visit today that he is ready to be neutered any time. I asked if she was familiar with any of the studies citing disadvantages of early neutering, esp. high rates of osteosarcoma. She told me that she had not heard anything about it. She then mentioned that the price for surgery will go up as he ages.
I will be my dog’s health advocate and wait for his sexual maturity until he has this surgery. Amazing to me that all of this information is available and still there are vets who either don’t know about it or won’t tell their clients.
I have an 11 year old, in-tact, male Rottweiler. He is going for surgery on Friday to have a mass removed in his chest and have some dental work done. The vet has encouraged me to have my Rott neutered while undergoing the other procedures. He’s overall fairly healthy for his age and loves walking. He’s not as active in general though. His activity level has declined in the last year. For example, doesn’t want to play ball like he used to. His prostate is slightly enlarged, but smooth. He leaks a little urine sometimes while laying down. He is having trouble getting up and down and using stairs. I’ve been giving him non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but they seem to only help minimally. The vet recommends getting him fixed to avoid prostate problems or testicular cancer. All of his blood work came back good. At his age (11) and size (105 lbs.) and based on the information I’ve given, would you recommend getting him neutered? How long would his recovery be and would it be hard on him?
Thank you!
Doc a friend’s rott was spayed on his 11 months of age but after few months, the dog had developed a seizure, does fixing him relates to this case too?
Doc,
I noticed that you mentioned a weighted vest to help burn off some energy. Is a 9 month old Rottie too young to carry some extra weight?
We have decided to weight until Daphne is a 1.5 years old to spay her, but she has sooooo much extra energy that we are are about ready to duct-tape her to the wall (just kidding). I have a doggie backpack that I can put 5lb weights on each side. She is structurally sound and extremely healthy.
What do you think?
Thanks!
Please help. I have a 8 month old rottweiler and shes getting way more hyper… She is taken for walks daily for 3 hours and I have her scheduled for a fix the end of this month. I don’t wand my dog to get any health problems either yet I don’t feel like having her try to hump my family friends and etc.. she also nips at my Boyfriends feet…. She never does this with me shes very good with me I don’t got a problem however my boyfriend she jumps all over and doesn’t listen well and my vet told me a Fix might calm that state of Dominant behavior. I’m getting a Male rott in the Summer. My old rottweiler Texter never had Cancer she died at 14 years old. she was fixed at 10 months.
Hi Erica,
there are pros and cons to spaying and neutering…I am not at all against it, it is just a matter of making informed decisions on the part of the dog lover (you!) and being your dog’s primary health care advocate. Consider a weight vest to help burn off steam during walks (available on-line), as well as some good lessons at local obedience classes to help with good manners tips! Maybe you and your boyfriend could go- it can be a fun activity for everyone.
Best,
Dr D
I have an 8 week old Rottweiler and wonder if its good or bad to give him a Steamed Bone Milk Supplement.
Unfortunately like many owners I found this and other research after I had both my lads done at 8 months old. I am furious to say the least that the vets do not provide the fuller picture and provide all of the information. Why are they not obliged to tell us all of the side effects ??? the cons far out way the pro’s and simply would not have had it done had I know. I can and should of course take some responsibility for not researching further however I would expect my GP to tell me all of the potential effects if I was to have an operation why therefore can I not expect the same from my vets !!!!
Anyway I can rant as much as I like its too late, however can I ask is there anything I can do now to reduce any risks my lads may have from getting bone cancer? They are both labradoodles and big dogs…
Thanks in advance.
Dee
I’ve ended up with two half-Goldens who are now four months old, one male and one female. How did the stats work out for mixed-breeds, or did anyone check? I’d like to give a sensible rec to their new homes (if they ever FIND new homes!) or do something sensible myself with these little rescue-punks. Nice pups. They deserve a decent future.
I first came to your site for my SAR dog Sunny, now departed. Thanks for all your help.
Erika,
no research yet, although I would not be surprised if there were some similarities.
D
I am soo confused! I have a 6 month old female rottweiler and she was schedualed to be spayed but then I received info about spaying too young, all the prob she could get. Then my vet tells me that if I dont spay her now then she could get breast cancer and have other problems. I haven’t re-schedualed the spaying, I’ve been researching the whole thing and I really don’t know what to do!? Please help.
Karen, the research is there. The data is there. Be your dog’s health advocate. I advise waiting until after heat 3 but before heat 4. That way you compromise and get protection against both, if you intend on spaying. Osteosarcoma is, by far, more debilitating than mammary cancer.
D