SPAY/NEUTER FAQ

 Stephen Birchard DVM, MS, DACVS
Surgery (General & Soft Tissue)

QUESTION

At what age do you recommend spay/neuter? Do you feel that early castration affects the development of the size of the penis and urethra? I have seen several Dalmatians that were neutered around 8 to 12 weeks of age that developed urolithasis several years later and they seem to have small penises and narrow urethras (about a 5 French catheter).

ANSWER

Early or pre-pubertal neuter or ovariohysterectomy has been examined in several studies. Dogs and cats neutered or spayed as early as 7 weeks of age have been examined for short and long-term effects. No detrimental effects have been found, including no adverse effects on urethral size or function. Closure of the distal radial growth plate was delayed in male cats neutered at an early age in one study. However, there was no resultant difference in radial bone length in those cats, compared to controls. Other studies have also found no detrimental effects on behavioral development between pups or kittens neutered at 7 weeks vs. 7 months.