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Originally Posted by Purley
In Regilna they have a spay/neuter program. If you get your dog fixed between 6 and 8 months its cheaper than if you wait. The program is funded by the City and by the vets. I assume its done to try to eliminate unwanted puppies that end up at the Humane Society. But seeing that the vets are the ones doing the surgery, they must think its safe.
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I didn’t mean to imply that I think it’s unsafe to spay or neuter young, just that it may not be so cut and dry. To be honest, I don’t agree with all vets—many vets still think yearly vaccinations are safe, and I certainly do not. I just look at spaying and neutering differently than I used to. I'm putting more thought into it now and doing more research.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Purley
Is there any proof that early spaying or neutering makes the male dogs tall and lanky and looking like females? What about a female - what do people believe happens to a female if you spay around six months old?
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I know that at least one study has demonstrated a higher risk of hip dysplasia in dogs neutered before 6 months of age (compared to those neutered later).
Many people (breeders, trainers, etc.) have told me that spaying or neutering (males and females) before a dog is done growing can affect height—the dog grows too tall—because it affects the hormones that are released to tell the growth plates to close and the bones to stop growing. I believe there are studies that demonstrate this, but I would have to search for them.