Correlation of neuter status and expression of heritable disorders

The effect of neuter status on longevity in the Rottweiler dog

Surgical sterilization or neutering of dogs is a commonly performed procedure in veterinary practices in many countries. In recent decades, concerns have been raised regarding possible side effects of neutering, including increased risk of certain neoplastic, musculoskeletal and endocrinological conditions. Considering that age serves as a significant confounding factor for some of these conditions, evaluating longevity statistics could provide valuable insights into the impact of neutering. The aim of this study was to compare longevity between neutered and sexually intact male and female Rottweilers, using electronic patient records collected by the VetCompass Australia database. Male and female Rottweilers neutered before 1 year of age (n = 207) demonstrated an expected lifespan 1.5 years and 1 year shorter, respectively, than their intact counterparts (n = 3085; p < 0.05). Broadening this analysis to include animals neutered before the age of 4.5 years (n = 357) produced similar results.

The effects of sex and neuter status on trauma survival in dogs: A Veterinary Committee on Trauma registry study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of sex and neuter status on trauma survival in dogs.

DESIGN

Multi-institutional prospective case series, September 2013 to March 2019, retrospectively analyzed.

SETTING

Level I and II Veterinary Trauma Centers.

ANIMALS

Consecutive sample of 2649 dogs in the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Committee on Trauma patient registry meeting inclusion criteria. For inclusion, dogs had to have complete data entries, be postpubertal (≥7 months age in females and ≥10 months age in males), and have sustained moderate to severe trauma (animal trauma triage [ATT] score ≥5/18). Dogs that were dead upon arrival, euthanized for financial or unknown reasons alone, or that were presented by a Good Samaritan but subsequently humanely euthanized were excluded.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Data collected included age, sex, neuter status (intact, neutered), trauma type (blunt, penetrating, both), outcome (survived to hospital discharge, died, euthanized), and reason for euthanasia (grave prognosis, financial reasons, or both). Of 2649 eligible dogs, 56% survived to hospital discharge (n = 1469). Neutered females had a significantly higher survival rate (58.3% vs 51.3%; P = 0.03) compared to intact females, and neutered males had a significantly higher survival rate (56.6% vs 50.7%; P = 0.04) compared to intact males. There was no significant difference in survival between intact females and intact males (P = 0.87) or between neutered females and neutered males (P = 0.46). Mean cumulative ATT score was higher in intact groups and was found to be a significant predictor of survival (P < 0.01). Based on logistic models, overall odds of survival were 20.7% greater in neutered dogs.

CONCLUSIONS

Gonadectomy is associated with lower ATT scores and improved survival after moderate to severe trauma in both female and male dogs.

Life tables of annual life expectancy and mortality for companion dogs in the United Kingdom

A life table is a tabulated expression of life expectancy and mortality-related information at specified ages in a given population. This study utilised VetCompass data to develop life tables for the UK companion dog population and broken down by sex, Kennel Club breed group, and common breeds. Among 30,563 dogs that died between 1st January 2016 and 31st July 2020, life expectancy at age 0 was 11.23 [95% confidence interval (CI): 11.19–11.27] years. Female dogs (11.41 years; 95% CI: 11.35–11.47) had a greater life expectancy than males (11.07 years; 95% CI: 11.01–11.13) at age 0. Life tables varied widely between breeds. Jack Russell Terrier (12.72 years; 95% CI: 12.53–12.90) and French Bulldog (4.53 years; 95% CI: 4.14–5.01) had the longest and shortest life expectancy at age 0, respectively. Life tables generated by the current study allow a deeper understanding of the varied life trajectory across many types of dogs and offer novel insights and applications to improve canine health and welfare. The current study helps promote further understanding of life expectancy, which will benefit pet owners and the veterinary profession, along with many other sectors.

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Dogs: Review on Biomechanics, Etiopathogenetic Factors and Rehabilitation

Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture is one of the most common orthopaedic conditions in veterinary medicine. CrCL plays a fundamental role in the stability and biomechanics of the femoral-tibio-patellar joint, and its incorrect functionality severely impacts on the quality of life of patients. In dogs, the structural weakening of this joint due to the progressive degeneration of the ligament is the most accredited etiopathogenetic hypothesis in relation to the dog signalment (breed, sex and age) and the stifle joint conformation. In humans, this injury is often traumatic and generally occurs during sporting activities. CrCL rupture can be managed conservatively or surgically, and decisions regarding treatment are due to numerous factors: the patient’s age and health, the degree of stifle instability, and cost. Physiotherapy protocols play an important role in rehabilitation, with similar goals in humans and dogs: pain management, physiological articular range of motion recovery, periarticular and core muscle strengthening, and proprioceptive deficit correction. Physiotherapy, even if often neglected in veterinary medicine, is mandatory for the recovery of the correct functionality of the injured limb and for the return to normal daily and sporting activities.

Prevalence of Reproductive Disorders including Mammary Tumors and Associated Mortality in Female Dogs

Female dogs, especially intact or neutered lately, are at increased risk for reproductive disorders including mammary tumors (MTs). This retrospective study evaluated the prevalence of reproductive pathology and associated mortality in a cohort of female dogs presented at a single veterinary clinic. The medical records of female dogs born in 2000–2003 were reviewed. The study included 599 cases, of which 293 were followed up until death. Causes of death were analyzed according to the spaying status. Among the 599 female dogs, 306 were intact (51%), 50 (8%) had been spayed before 2 years of age (ES, early spaying), and 243 (41%) after 2 years (LS, late spaying). During their lifetime, 79 dogs (13.2%) developed pyometra, and 160 (26.7%) a mammary tumor. Among the 293 dogs with complete follow-up, 103 (35.1%) had at least one MT during their lifetime, of which 53 (51.5%) died of their mammary cancer. Spayed (ES + LS) female dogs had a 4-fold decreased risk of dying from mammary cancer (OR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.11–0.47, p < 0.0001) compared to intact females. In this low-sterilization rate population, MTs developed in 35.1% of female dogs over their lifetime and was the cause of death in half of them.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK: an epidemiological study

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the frequency and breed-related risk factors for keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in dogs under UK primary veterinary care.

METHODS

Analysis of cohort electronic patient record data through the VetCompass Programme. Risk factor analysis used multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were 1456 KCS cases overall from 363,898 dogs [prevalence 0.40%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38-0.42] and 430 incident cases during 2013 (1-year incidence risk 0.12%, 95% CI 0.11-0.13). Compared with crossbreds, breeds with the highest odds ratio (aOR) for KCS included American cocker spaniel (aOR 52.33: 95% CI 30.65-89.37), English bulldog (aOR 37.95: 95% CI 26.54-54.28), pug (aOR 22.09: 95% CI 15.15-32.2) and Lhasa apso (aOR 21.58: 95% CI 16.29-28.57). Conversely, Labrador retrievers (aOR 0.23: 95% CI 0.1-0.52) and border collie (aOR 0.30: 95% CI 0.11-0.82) had reduced odds. Brachycephalic dogs had 3.63 (95% CI 3.24-4.07) times odds compared to mesocephalics. Spaniels had 3.03 (95% CI 2.69-3.40) times odds compared to non-spaniels. Dogs weighing at or above the mean bodyweight for breed/sex had 1.25 (95% CI 1.12-1.39) times odds compared to body weights below. Advancing age was strongly associated with increased odds.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Quantitative tear tests are recommended within yearly health examinations for breeds with evidence of predisposition to KCS and might also be considered in the future within eye testing for breeding in predisposed breeds. Breed predisposition to KCS suggests that breeding strategies could aim to reduce extremes of facial conformation.

Factors associated with medical problems among young non-deployed U.S. military working dogs

The goals of this project were to quantify medical problems among a population of Military Working Dogs (MWDs) and analyze factors associated with common medical conditions. Medical conditions recorded in veterinary Master Problem List (MPL) entries for 774 young, non-deployed, active MWDs were categorized and combined with demographic information to analyze risk factors. Most dogs were male (74%), German Shepherd (39%) or Belgian Malinois (31%) breeds, certified in Explosive Detection (60%), and had a dark coat color (83%). Ages ranged from one to six years, with an average of 2.6 years (± 0.5 years). Eighty-three percent of dogs had a non-surgical medical problem in their record. The most common non-surgical medical problems were dermatologic (25% of MPL entries), alimentary (21%), dental (15%), soft-tissue injury (10%), and musculoskeletal conditions (4%). Factors associated with each medical condition were breed (Odds Ratios 1.96-8.24), sex and spay/neuter status (ORs 1.78-5.77), occupational duty certification (ORs 2.65-3.62), military command location (ORs 2.32-7.44), and military branch (OR 5.16). As MWDs are a valuable asset for the Department of Defense, training and work conditions for the identified at-risk groups of MWDs should be further assessed to maximize their operational capabilities and assess the potential to serve as sentinel indicators for human diseases. Improved understanding of the most common medical problems affecting MWDs, and the identification of factors associated with these conditions, can help drive changes in their preventive care.

Unravelling the health status of brachycephalic dogs in the UK using multivariable analysis

Brachycephalic dog breeds are regularly asserted as being less healthy than non-brachycephalic breeds. Using primary-care veterinary clinical data, this study aimed to identify predispositions and protections in brachycephalic dogs and explore differing inferences between univariable and multivariable results. All disorders during 2016 were extracted from a random sample of 22,333 dogs within the VetCompass Programme from a sampling frame of 955,554 dogs under UK veterinary care in 2016. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression modelling explored brachycephaly as a risk factor for each of a series of common disorders. Brachycephalic dogs were younger, lighter and less likely to be neutered than mesocephalic, dolichocephalic and crossbred dogs. Brachycephalic differed to non-brachycephalic types in their odds for 10/30 (33.33%) common disorders. Of these, brachycephalic types were predisposed for eight disorders and were protected for two disorders. Univariable and multivariable analyses generated differing inference for 11/30 (30.67%) disorders. This study provides strong evidence that brachycephalic breeds are generally less healthy than their non-brachycephalic counterparts. Results from studies that report only univariable methods should be treated with extreme caution due to potential confounding effects that have not been accounted for during univariable study design or analysis.

Evaluation of bilateral vasocystostomy for canine sterilization

This study was aimed to evaluate canine vasocystotomy as a testosterone-preserving method of sterilization and investigate its potential post-operative complications. Five healthy adult male dogs underwent surgical procedure to transplant vasa deferentia to the urinary bladder. Under general anesthesia, caudal abdomen was opened and both vasa deferentia were ligated and transected. Then, the proximal free ends were sutured to mucosal layer of urinary bladder on its cranio-dorsal aspect. Serum testosterone level was measured on a weekly basis. Six-week postoperative assessments were performed including semen and urine sampling, ultrasound, contrast vasography, and tissue sampling. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in serum testosterone levels compared to its baseline value. Along with non-motile and broken spermatozoa, no cast or crystals were observed in urine samples. Semen analyses revealed azoospermia. No vasal obstruction or contrast leakage was observed in vasographs indicating bilateral patency in all dogs. Normal thickness of the bladder was found in ultrasounds. Histopathology showed normal testicular architecture and no inflammatory response was found in bladder or vas deferens following vasal transplantation. No significant change was found in testicular volume at the end of the study. This study suggested that vasocystostomy could be considered as an alternative method for canine sterilization with no significant changes in the testosterone concentrations and no evidence of postoperative complications. The preservation of testosterone could be regarded as an advantage and makes this approach favorable compared to the routine methods of sterilization especially for herding and guard dogs, because it prevents overpopulation while maintains the functionality.

Neutering is associated with developing hemangiosarcoma in dogs in the Veterinary Medical Database: An age and time-period matched case-control study (1964-2003)

The hypothesis that neutered dogs in the Veterinary Medical Database (VMDB) are at increased risk for developing hemangiosarcoma (HSA) was tested. Dogs (n = 5736) were diagnosed with HSA from a population of 2 106 324 dogs in the VMDB from 1964 to 2003. A case-control design matched on age and time period was created for general, cardiac, and splenic HSAs. A logistic regression analysis was performed including breed. Spayed females had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.59 for splenic, 1.47 for cardiac, and 1.72 for HSA in general. Castrated males had an OR of 1.26 for splenic and 1.14 for HSA in general compared to intact males. Controlled for historical time period and patient age, VMDB data support that neutering is associated with development of splenic HSA and HSA in general in both male and female dogs, but not cardiac HSA with an apparently lower than previously described magnitude of association. Key clinical message: This case-control design confirms an association between neutering and development of HSA and splenic HSA, but not cardiac HSA, in both male and female dogs. By controlling for time period at diagnosis, the bias of recent early neuter practices is eliminated, suggesting early neuter is not a principal driver of this effect.

Demographic characteristics, site and phylogenetic distribution of dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma: 744 dogs (2000-2015)

Objective

To report demographic characteristics of a contemporary population of dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma and assess the relationship between demographic characteristics, site distribution, and phylogenetic breed clusters.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

A search of the Veterinary Medical Database was performed for dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma as a new diagnosis. Entries were reviewed for the sex, neuter status, age at diagnosis, breed, affected limb, and tumor location. The reported breed for purebred dogs was used to categorize each dog into one of five phylogenetic groups based on microsatellite analysis.

Results

744 client-owned dogs were included in the study. Study dogs were represented by a male-to-female ratio of 0.95:1.0, the majority of which (80.9%) were neutered. Most dogs were diagnosed between 7–10 years of age. The majority (77.8%) of dogs were large or giant-breed dogs. Purebred dogs comprised 80.4% of the population. The most common purebred breed affected by OS was the Rottweiler (17.1%). The most common phylogenetic group represented was Mastiff-Terrier (M-T, 26.3%). OS was more commonly located in the forelimb (64.2%) versus the hindlimb (35.8%), and the humerus was the most common site (20.9%). The distribution of age groups and tumor locations were significantly different between phylogenetic clusters. The distribution of age groups and neuter status were significantly different between size groups.

Conclusions and significance

The demographic data of canine appendicular OS are similar to previous reports. The data on phylogenetic associations can guide future studies aimed at evaluating the genomic mutations that contribute to OS development and its biological behavior.

Behavioural risks in female dogs with minimal lifetime exposure to gonadal hormones

Spaying of female dogs is a widespread practice, performed primarily for population control. While the consequences of early spaying for health are still being debated, the consequences for behaviour are believed to be negligible. The current study focused on the reported behaviour of 8981 female dogs spayed before 520 weeks (ten years) of life for reasons other than behavioural management, and calculated their percentage lifetime exposure to gonadal hormones (PLGH) as a proportion of their age at the time of being reported to the online Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ). We found that 23 behaviours differed between entire and spayed dogs, of which 12 were associated with PLGH and 5 with age-at-spay (AAS). Two behaviours, chewing and howling, were significantly more likely in dogs with longer PLGH. In contrast, longer PLGH was associated with significantly reduced reporting of 10 (mostly unwelcome) behaviours. Of these, one related to fearfulness and three to aggression. The current data suggest that dogs' tendency to show numerous behaviours can be influenced by the timing of spaying. They indicate how female dog behaviour matures when gonadal hormones are allowed to have their effect. The differences reported here between undesirable behaviours of spayed and entire dogs were in the range of 5.33% and 7.22%, suggesting that, for some dogs, partial or complete denial of maturation may reduce howling and chewing and improve retrieval and recall, but have other undesirable consequences. Veterinarians may take these data into account to discuss the risks and benefits of spaying with clients, and the timing of the procedure.

Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature

Background: Desexing dogs is promoted for population control, preventative healthcare, and behavior modification. Common methods are orchiectomy and ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy. GnRH superagonist implants are available in some areas. Alternative methods like vasectomy and salpingectomy/hysterectomy are uncommon. The terminology used to describe desexing is inconsistent and contradictory, showing a need for the adaption of standardized terminology. Population Control: Surprisingly, empirical studies show no effects of desexing on population control in companion and shelter dogs despite desexing being consistently recommended in the literature. There is evidence for a population control effect in free-roaming dogs, where desexing also has benefits on zoonotic disease and bite risk. Population control in free-roaming dogs is mostly correlated with female, not male desexing. Health and Lifespan: Desexing affects numerous disease risks, but studies commonly neglect age at diagnosis and overall lifespan, age being by far the most important risk factor for most diseases. We argue that lifespan is a more important outcome than ultimate cause of death. A beneficial effect of desexing on lifespan is consistently demonstrated in females, while evidence for a beneficial effect in males is inconsistent. Studies are likely biased in desexing being a proxy for better care and desexed dogs having already lived to the age of desexing. Desexing reduces or eliminates common life-limiting diseases of the female reproductive system such as pyometra and mammary tumors, while no analogous effect exists in males. Disease risks increases across sexes and breeds include cruciate ligament rupture, various cancers, and obesity. Urinary incontinence risk is increased in females only. Various other disease risk changes show considerable variability between breeds and sexes. Behavioral Effects: Desexed males show reduced libido, roaming, conspecific mounting, and urinary marking frequency, as well as reduced male dog-directed aggression in a majority of males desexed for behavioral reasons. There is a detrimental effect on the risk and progression of age-related cognitive dysfunction. Desexed dogs may be less likely to cause bite injuries across sexes. The evidence for other effects such as human-directed aggression, human or object mounting, resource guarding, or shyness and anxiety is inconsistent and contradictory. There are few studies specific to females or individual breeds. Conclusions: The evidence for a beneficial effect of desexing is stronger in female than in male dogs; however, there is significant variation between breeds and sexes, and more research is needed to further elucidate these differences and to arrive at individualized evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.

A Review of the Impact of Neuter Status on Expression of Inherited Conditions in Dogs

Gonadectomy is an important reproductive management tool employed in many countries, and is highly prevalent in the US with an estimated 85% of dogs being neutered. Despite the societal benefits in pet population control, negative associations between neuter status, and health conditions have been reported in recent years. Most particularly observed are the consequences of early age neutering. Knowing that different physiological systems rely upon gonadal steroids during development and physiological maintenance, studies have been undertaken to assess the impact of neuter status on multiple body and organ systems. For some inherited conditions, neutering is associated with an increased risk of expression. Neutering has also been associated with altered metabolism and a predisposition for weight gain in dogs, which may confound the detected risk association between neutering and disease expression. This review summarizes the effects of neutering on cancer, orthopedic, and immune disorders in the dog and also explores the potentially exacerbating factor of body weight.

Do prevalence rates and severity of acquired urinary incontinence differ between dogs spayed by laparoscopy or laparotomy? Comparing apples with apples with a matched-pair cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence rates and severity of acquired urinary incontinence (AUI) between dogs spayed with laparoscopic and open laparotomy approaches.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective matched-pair cohort study.

ANIMALS

In total, 1285 privately owned dogs spayed >5 years previously were included in the study.

METHODS

Laparoscopically spayed dogs were matched with dogs spayed by traditional laparotomy. Matching variables were breed, bodyweight, age at spaying, time of spaying in relation to the onset of puberty, time interval since spaying, and age. In 400 matched-paired dogs, the outcome of AUI was assessed by using an owner questionnaire. A conditional logistic regression for matched pairs was performed on the data of 308 dogs.

RESULTS

Among 308 dogs, 30 and 29 dogs spayed by laparotomy and laparoscopy, respectively, were affected by AUI. The identified risk factors for AUI were age and time interval since spaying. The surgical approach (laparoscopy or laparotomy) was neither revealed as a risk factor nor did it influence the severity of AUI.

CONCLUSION

The risk of AUI after spaying is not influenced by the surgical approach, (laparoscopy or laparotomy). Nearly every fifth dog spayed by laparotomy or by laparoscopy was affected by AUI. A relatively longer time interval since spaying and increased age of the dog increased the risk for AUI.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Owners of dogs with a predisposition for AUI must be counseled about this risk when they present their dogs for spaying, regardless of surgical approach chosen.

Associations between neutering and idiopathic epilepsy in Labrador retrievers and Border collies under primary veterinary care in the UK

There are sparse published scientific data on associations between neutering and the severity and survival of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. This study aimed to explore the timing of neutering with respect to onset of seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. Associations between neutering and both age of onset of seizures and the occurrence of cluster seizures or status epilepticus were examined. Survival analysis investigated the effects of sex-neuter categories. The median survival time of Border collies was compared with data previously reported in literature. The study included veterinary primary-care clinical data on 117 Labrador retrievers and 57 Border collies diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy from the VetCompass project in the UK. The majority (74.2%; P≤0.001) of neutered cases were neutered before the onset of seizures. Age (years) at onset of seizures did not differ between dogs intact at time of onset and dogs neutered before onset of seizures (males 3.6 vs. 3.7; P=0.468 and females 3.4 vs. 4.1; P=0.154). Neuter status was not associated with the occurrence of cluster seizures (males P=0.947 and females P=0.844). Dogs intact at onset of seizures had longer median survival times than dogs neutered before onset of seizures (males, 1436 days vs. 1234 days; P=0.019; females, 1778.5 days vs. 1261 days; P=0.027). Median survival time of 1393 days for Border collies was longer than previously reported (P≤0.001). These results do not support recommendations to neuter dogs with idiopathic epilepsy within an evidence-based treatment plan.

Incidence and risk factors for the diagnosis of lymphoma in dogs in UK primary-care practice

OBJECTIVES

To identify the incidence, risk factors and presenting signs of lymphoma in dogs presenting to primary-care practice in the UK using analysis of data within the VetCompass™ programme.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Case records from the VetCompass™ programme from primary-care practices in the UK were searched for newly diagnosed lymphoma in dogs within a 1-year period: 2013. Diagnosis was based on clinical records with or without laboratory confirmation. Signalment was evaluated as risk factors for lymphoma diagnosis using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were 286 presumed newly diagnosed cases identified during 2013 from 455,553 dogs (overall incidence risk 63 of 100,000 dogs per year) of which 193 (67%) were laboratory confirmed (42 of 100,000 dogs per year). Advanced age, dogs older than 12 years, dogs weighing more than 30 kg and some specific breeds were significantly associated with lymphoma diagnosis. Only 18 dogs (6%) of the population identified were referred to a specialist clinic.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study concurs with others that age, bodyweight and breed are significant risk factors for lymphoma. Results of this study highlight: (1) the low number of dogs with lymphoma that are referred to specialists in the UK and (2) that few dogs undergo immunophenotyping (which can carry prognostic importance), emphasising the importance of epidemiological programmes that evaluate diseases presented to primary-care veterinarians.

Cataracts in Labrador Retriever and Jack Russell Terrier From the United Kingdom: A Two-Year Retrospective Study

Cataracts are among the most common ocular diseases, and are a leading cause of vision loss in humans and dogs. Jack Russell Terriers (JRT) and Labrador Retrievers (LR) are among the most popular canine breeds in the United Kingdom, and also among the most affected by cataracts. This study aimed to analyze the clinical features and the surgical outcome of cataracts in JRT and LR in an ophthalmologic reference Veterinary Hospital in the United Kingdom. For that purpose, medical records from JRT and LR diagnosed with cataracts between January 2015 and December 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Data related to identification, clinical history, preoperative features, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. Forty-four dogs (81 eyes), including 26 JRT and 18 LR, were enrolled in the study. Mean ages were 10.2 ± 3.2 years in JRT and 8.5 ± 3.7 years in LR. Twenty-eight (63.6%) were females and 16 (36.4%) were males. Most dogs (84.1%) presented with bilateral cataracts. Nuclear and cortical cataracts were the most prevalent type in both breeds (JRT: n = 30, 61.2%; LR: n = 16, 50.0%), although subcapsular cataracts were also frequent in LR (n = 10, 31.3%). Significant differences in cataract location within the lens were detected between the two breeds (P = .002). Senile in JRT (n = 7) and genetic in LR (n = 7) were the most common etiologies. Concomitant ocular lesions were more frequent in dogs presented with cataracts in advanced stages, and included lens (n = 18; JRT: n = 15; LR: n = 3) and retinal alterations (n = 8; JRT: n = 2; LR: n = 6), and glaucoma (n = 6; JRT: n = 5; LR: n = 1). Thirty-three animals (75.0%, 51 eyes) were submitted to phacoemulsification with intraocular lens placement. Of these, 28 eyes (54.9%; JRT: n = 21; LR: n = 7) were visual, 19 eyes (37.3%; JRT: n = 11; LR: n = 8) presented impaired vision and four eyes (7.8%; JRT: n = 0; LR: n = 4) were blind at last clinical record. Postoperative complications were detected in 11 eyes (21.6%), and were more frequent in dogs presented with cataracts in advanced stages. These results and the multifactorial nature of cataracts call for further studies to identify and characterize the variables in a broader assessment, including other breeds and influencing factors.

Association of cancer-related mortality, age and gonadectomy in golden retriever dogs at a veterinary academic center (1989-2016)

Golden retriever dogs have been reported to have an increased prevalence of cancer compared to other breeds. There is also controversy over the effect spay or neuter status might have on longevity and the risk for developing cancer. The electronic medical records system at an academic center was searched for all dogs who had a necropsy exam from 1989–2016. 9,677 canine necropsy examinations were completed of which 655 were golden retrievers. Age was known for 652 with a median age of death 9.15 years. 424 of the 652 (65.0%) were determined to have died because of cancer. The median age for dying of a cause other than cancer was 6.93 years while those dying of cancer had a median age of 9.83 years (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of intact males and castrated males dying of cancer (p = 0.43) but a greater proportion of spayed females died of cancer compared to intact females (p = 0.001). Intact female dogs had shorter life spans than spayed female dogs (p<0.0001), but there were no differences between intact and castrated males. Intriguingly, being spayed or neutered did not affect the risk of a cancer related death but increasing age did. The most common histologic diagnosis found in golden retrievers dying of cancer was hemangiosarcoma (22.64%) followed by lymphoid neoplasia (18.40%). Overall golden retriever dogs have a substantial risk of cancer related mortality in a referral population and age appears to have a larger effect on cancer related mortality than reproductive status.