IMPORTANT SURVEY FOR ANYONE WHO OWNS OR HAS OWNED A FEMALE DOG! PLEASE PARTICIPATE!

PLEASE SHARE FAR AND WIDE!

In the last 5 years a number of studies have been published showing increased cancer and orthopedic problems in dogs that have been spayed or neutered. Many people now believe that the gonads are endocrine organs that are important for general health and longevity, not simply sex organs used for reproduction.

For male dogs, vasectomy is a simple way to retain the endocrine functions of the gonads, while preventing reproduction.

However, for female dogs, we don’t want to perform the equivalent surgery, tying the tubes, since bitches are at a high risk of developing pyometra (infection of the uterus) if the uterus isn’t removed. To rectify this, people with bitches are starting to request that their female dogs have an ovary-sparing spay (OSS – also called hysterectomy), in which the uterus is removed, but the ovaries are left intact. This allows the bitch to retain the endocrine function of the ovaries while preventing reproduction.

We know very little about the effects of OSS, and that’s what this survey is about.

We are collecting information on ALL BITCHES. Those that have had a traditional spay (removal of the ovaries and the uterus), those that have had OSS and those that remain intact.

Please help us by filling out this survey – once for each female dog you own or have owned.

Your answers will be used to help us understand the comparative effects of performing a traditional spay, an ovary-sparing spay or leaving bitches intact.

Your anonymous information will be used to help us better understand how to keep bitches healthy for a lifetime.

Here is the URL; https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SpayOutcomes

Chris Zink DVM, PhD, DACVSMR, VSMT