That’s the question posed by dog expert and cognitive scientist Dr. Alexandra Horowitz in an opinion piece in the New York Times titled “Dogs are not here for our convenience.” Central to her article is the issue of spaying and neutering dogs as a matter of standard practice. She argues that we domesticated canines to… Read more
The 2019 annual conference of the Society for Theriogenology, held in July in Savannah, Georgia, gathered veterinarians from around the globe who specialize in animal reproduction. A full day was dedicated to discussing the impacts of the loss of natural hormones through spay and neuter on the health of dogs and cats. In recognition of… Read more
We’ve all seen it – pet parents who waltz into dog parks and let their canines run amok without any consideration. Here’s how hormones and training play a role in this social environment, and what you can do to keep your pup safe. The dog park can be an idyllic setting for you and your… Read more
Innovative Veterinary Care Journal publishes a review of research on the consequences of canine gonadectomy and of methods to sterilize dogs while preserving hormones for long-term health. In the United States, spaying or neutering a dog has become standard practice to reduce pet overpopulation. Yet recent research has shed light on the long-term health impacts… Read more
We’ve all heard that spaying or neutering your dog (gonadectomy, or removal of the gonads, i.e. the ovaries or testes) will help reduce its aggressiveness. However, a recent study including over 13,000 dogs concluded that this assumption is incorrect. In the U.S., veterinarians and animal welfare organizations have long supported gonadectomy as a way to… Read more
Want the latest information on research regarding ovary-sparing spay? Check out this paper by Oregon State University veterinary student Megan Mattravers for an excellent overview. One size doesn’t necessarily fit all (dogs, that is). Parsemus Foundation has been at the forefront of providing information on a variety of options for pet sterilization. Ovary-sparing spay, or… Read more
Calcium chloride (CaCl) has been used as a nonsurgical alternative to castrating male dogs and cats. Dr. Raffaella Leoci of the University of Bari in Italy is the lead author of the studies elucidating the optimal formulation for using CaCl in alcohol to sterilize dogs through testicular injection. Her research team has conducted a controlled… Read more
We all know that neutering your pet is important to curb pet overpopulation. But did you know that there are a variety of options available? Spay and neuter surgeries most often conducted in the U.S. involve removal of the uterus and ovaries in females and the testicles in males. In other countries, just the ovaries… Read more
Pet owners are hearing more and more about the potential for negative health impacts of traditional spay and neuter. Since most pet sterilization surgeries remove the reproductive organs responsible for the production of sex hormones, a number of ailments may occur due to this hormonal imbalance. But a growing number of veterinarians offer alternatives. Parsemus… Read more
Working with dog sterilization projects in developing countries and resource-limited areas, we are constantly reminded of how important vaccinations are to these populations as well. Most spay/neuter programs vaccinate to protect human health as well as to care for the welfare of the individual dog. But in areas where parvo, rabies and distemper are less… Read more