neutering

1. Summary: This document argues that the common perception of neutering dogs and cats as purely beneficial is a myth, often based on misleading or untrue claims. The author presents numerous studies suggesting that neutering can lead to significant, irreversible negative consequences for animal health and behavior. These include increased risks of various deadly cancers (like lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, and osteosarcoma), orthopedic problems (such as hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament tears), behavioral disorders (including aggression and anxiety), obesity, cognitive decline, hormonal imbalances, diabetes, and immune system issues. The text highlights that aggression can actually worsen after neutering and that claims of extended lifespan are not supported by robust scientific evidence, with some studies indicating neutering shortens lifespan. The author draws parallels to the negative health outcomes observed in humans who undergo similar procedures, emphasizing that safer alternatives like tubal ligation and vasectomy exist and are used in human sterilization. The document criticizes the trend of early, routine neutering, particularly noting its adoption by animal shelters, and suggests that decisions about neutering should be made on an individual basis. The paper also touches upon the dangers of surgical procedures and adverse events post-vaccination.

2. Summary with Marked Entities:

This document argues that the common perception of neutering dogs and cats as purely beneficial is a myth, often based on misleading or untrue claims. The author presents numerous studies suggesting that neutering can lead to significant, irreversible negative consequences for animal health and behavior. These include increased risks of various deadly cancers (like lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, and osteosarcoma), orthopedic problems (such as hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament tears), behavioral disorders (including aggression and anxiety), obesity, cognitive decline, hormonal imbalances, diabetes, and immune system issues. The text highlights that aggression can actually worsen after neutering and that claims of extended lifespan are not supported by robust scientific evidence, with some studies indicating neutering shortens lifespan. The author draws parallels to the negative health outcomes observed in humans who undergo similar procedures, emphasizing that safer alternatives like tubal ligation and vasectomy exist and are used in human sterilization. The document criticizes the trend of early, routine neutering, particularly noting its adoption by animal shelters, and suggests that decisions about neutering should be made on an individual basis. The paper also touches upon the dangers of surgical procedures and adverse events post-vaccination.

List of Identified Entities:

• Diseases/Conditions: lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament tears, aggression, anxiety, obesity, cognitive decline, hormonal imbalances, diabetes, immune system issues, prostate cancer, urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma, mast cell tumors, melanocytic tumors, adenocarcinoma, bone sarcoma, fear, urine marking, barking, shyness, hiding, insecurity, fear reaction, loud noises, unfamiliar objects, unknown dogs, excitement, submissive urination, hyperactivity, fear biting, reactivity, dominance aggression, noise phobia, begging for food, stealing food, rolling in feces, eating feces, excessive barking, hypothyroidism, alopecia, fatigue, weakness, Cushing’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, myasthenia gravis, acute pancreatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenia, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, femoral capital physeal fractures, intervertebral disc disease, patellar luxation, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, urinary tract cancers, urinary stones, kidney stones, bladder stones, dementia, disorientation, changes in social interaction, loss of house training, changes in the sleep-wake cycle, mammary tumors, pyometra, testicular cancer, cardiac tumors, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), anaphylactic shock, allergic reactions, itching, cardiac arrest, circulatory shock, sudden death
• Procedures/Medical Terms: spaying, castration, neutering, oophorectomy, hysterectomy, tubal ligation, vasectomy, gonadectomy, sex hormones, puberty, growth plate closure, anesthetics, painkillers, hypoglycemia, intubation, cardiomyopathies, hypothermia, anesthesia, cardiac arrhythmia, gastric dilatation, drug overdose, ovariohysterectomy, ovarian remnant syndrome, kidney dysfunction, uterine stump pyometra, vaccination, hormone-producing ovaries, gonad-sparing sterilization, desexing
• Animal Species/Breeds: dogs, cats, domestic animals, bitch, female dogs, male dogs, female cats, male cats, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Hungarian Vizsla, German Shepherd, American Eskimo dogs, Scottish Terriers, English Springer Spaniels, English Beagles, German Boxers, Australian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Border Collie, Boston Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, Doberman, Irish Wolfhound, Shih Tzu, animals
• Locations: Western countries, European countries, Norway, USA, UK, Sweden, northern Italy, Finland, Brazil, Czech Republic, Australia, China, Ottoman Courts
• Institutions/Organizations: animal shelters, Mayo Clinic, University of California (UC Davis), Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation, Animal Health Associates, New Brunswick SPCA, naiaonline.org, Anthrozoos, American Animal Hospital Association, Cornell University, The No-Kill Advocacy Center, Royal Veterinary College, The Kennel Club, Veterinary Information Network, Mayo Clinic News Network, idexx Laboratories, Maddie’s Fund, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine
• Publications/Studies/Journals: NEUTERING OF DOGS AND CATS – DO BENEFITS REALLY OUTWEIGH THE RISKS?, jennifermargulis.net, Veterinary Practice, Obstet Gynecol, Lancet Oncol, Womens Health (Lond Engl), Menopause Int, BMJ, Neurology, Mov Disord, CHEST - Annual Meeting 2020, Clinical Endocrinology News, Fisioter Pesqui, lesswrong.com, iusetsocietas.cz, Institute for Laboratory Animal Research Journal, Anthrozoös, Prostate, Vet Comp Oncol, J Am Vet Med Assoc, Mol Cell Endocrinol, J Small Anim Pract, Caney SM et al., Canine Genet Epidemiol, J Cancer Epidemiol, J Vet Intern Med, J Vet Intern Med, J Comp Pathol, J Am Vet Med Assoc, Prostate Cancer, Mol Cell Endocrinol, J Am Vet Med Assoc, Vet J, Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, J Am Anim Hosp Assoc, J Vet Intern Med, Am J Vet Res, J Am Vet Med Assoc, PLoS One, Vet Med Sci, Front Vet Sci, J Small Anim Pract, Vet Rec, J Reprod Fertil Suppl, Arch Tierheilkd, Vet Rec, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Am J Vet Res, Today’s Veterinary Practice, Animals (Basel), J Feline Med Surg, Vet Pathol, BMC Veterinary Research, Prev Vet Med, Acta Vet Scand, Braz J Vet Res Anim Sci, Vet Rec, Can Vet J, Vet J, Front Immunol, J Am Vet Med Assoc, J Small Anim Pract, Reprod Domest Anim, Vet Med Open J, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, Vet Rec, Vet J, Am J Vet Res, Vet J, Can Vet J, PLoS One, Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract, J Am Vet Med Assoc, Vet J, Top Companion Anim Med, SEVC - Annual Conference - Barcelona, 2008 - Southern European Veterinary Congress, Elsevier Science, IDEXX Laboratories, maddies.org, fivcats.com
• People: Janet Newman, Parker W, W A Rocca, L T Shuster, M C Cusimano, C M Rivera, R A Lobo, W A Rocca, K Y H Lin, M Canonico, T Nguyen, R Vassallo, MD Scrodin, C Smith, W Rocca, Luckstein Kelley, J Bruce Jancin, S J V Cruz, J D Wilson, C Roehrborn, Fluttershy, Voislav Stojanovski, D J Waters, Animal Health Associates, Anrich Vets, New Brunswick SPCA, Laura J. Sanborn, C Palmer, AAHA, Animal Health Associates, American Animal Hospital Association, L. J. Bryan, K U Sorenmo, F W Bell, J W Aquilina, E Teske, R S Hawe, J Carpenter, B S Hubbard, S M Caney, J M Belanger, J A Villamil, E T Keller, P F Bennett, K Grüntzig, MC Zink, D W Knapp, A M Norris, G T de la Riva, C R White, W A Ware, D L Hopper, C Prymak, K L Robinson, B L Hart, M Zlotnick, D M Cooley, G Ru, P D McGreevy, M D Salman, E Heidenberger, C V Spain, C A Kaufmann, O Balogh, E Garde, T A Gibbons, H H Kim, V O’Farrell, E Peachey, M Bamberger, K A Houpt, I R Reisner, D L Duffy, J A Serpell, P Farhoody, S R Urfer, M Kaeberlein, K Clark, nokilladvocacycenter.org, L Suarez, MA Kutzler, M L Kanchuk, P G Nguyen, MVR Kustritz, M V Root, L J M Martin, dvm360.com, E M Lund, A M Oberbauer, C R Sundburg, K L Milne, H M Jr Hayes, D L Panciera, M Mattin, L Guptill, M Marmor, T M McCann, D L Panciera, G D Shelton, A K Cook, R S Hess, R J Perry, W T Jr McNicholas, T H Witsberger, MAE van Hagen, B Vidoni, G A Dannucci, R B Martin, M V Thrusfield, N M Stöcklin-Gautschi, S Arnold, M V Thrusfield, M A Seguin, G V Ling, C Lekcharoensuk, Banfield Pet Hospital, P Mongillo, B L Hart, J C Neilson, A Scandurra, L A Hart, B L Hart, D J Waters, W H Parker, S S Kengeri, M Zlotnick, C Zink, L Wogan, N Ishimaru, M A Cunningham, Jamie Mulcahy
• Companies: Mayo Clinic, IDEXX Laboratories
• General Terms: neuter, spay, gonads, testicles, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, sex organs, hormones, cancer, cancers, orthopedic problems, behavioral disorders, obesity, cognitive disorders, urogenital diseases, hormonal disorders, diabetes, immune system disorders, lifespan, surgical removal of gonads, mutilation, cruelty, sex organs, reproductive age, surgical menopause, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, chronic lung diseases, arthritis, osteoporosis, incontinence, sarcopenia, skeletal problems, curvature of the spine, gynecomastia, excessive sweating, loss of body hair, decreased bone calcium, suicidality, emotional lability, apathy, infertility, health issues, reproduction, gonadectomy, unwanted pregnancies, health and social benefits, uterine infections, uterine cancers, breast cancer, testicular cancer, prostate problems, healthier lives, longer lives, happier lives, long-term consequences, systematic review, peer-reviewed studies, pet owners, misunderstandings, health risks, commercial interests, morally justified, individual basis, case-by-case basis, long-term, irreversible consequences, chronic disease, abandoned animals, unadoptable animals, animal shelters, lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumors, transitional cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, osteosarcoma, canine prostate carcinoma, prostatic adenocarcinoma, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, urinary tract, hemangiosarcoma of the spleen, cardiac tumors, mammary cancer, bone sarcoma, dog shelters, unadoptable dogs, puberty, indoor urine-marking, barking when the dog was alone, partial or complete denial of puberty, problem behaviors, reduced appeal, vulnerable to being surrendered, relinquishment, behavioral reasons, shyness, frequent hiding, abandonment, unstable behavior, stressful situations, insecurity, aggression, fear reaction, loud noises, unfamiliar objects, unknown dogs, barking, growling, jumping, sexual activity, fear of storms, separation anxiety, fear of noises, fear of gunfire, timidity, excitability, submissive urination, hyperactivity, fear biting, reactivity, stranger walking an unfamiliar dog, calming effects of progesterone, elevated gonadotropins, adrenal androgens, dominance aggression, noise phobia, aggression towards family members, barking or growling at visitors, excessive barking, owner-directed aggression, biting, fear of touch, sensitivity to touch, begging for food, stealing food, rolling in feces, eating feces, frequent begging, frequent stealing, aggression towards people, aggression towards other dogs, unwanted procreation, prospective, controlled study, population control, unwanted pets, pet overpopulation, euthanize, unadoptable animals, metabolism, food intake, leptin, prolactin, insulin growth factor I, thyroid function, Addison’s disease, hypothyroidism, alopecia, skin problems, fatigue, weakness, Cushing’s syndrome, diabetes mellitus, immune system, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenia, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis, acute pancreatitis, autoimmune diseases, skeleton, long bones, growth plate closure, elongated bones, deformed joints, tibial plateau angle, cranial cruciate ligament disease, femoral capital physeal fractures, hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament deficiency, anterior cruciate ligament, ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, intervertebral disc disease, anterior cruciate ligament tear, joint problems, patellar luxation, lameness, osteoarthritis, pain, trabecular bone remodeling, osteoporosis, bone loss, spinal cord, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, urinary tract cancers, urinary stones, urine crystals, kidney stones, bladder stones, cognitive abilities, spatial performance, learning, memory, socio-cognitive functions, responsiveness to human pointing gestures, age-related cognitive impairment, disorientation, sleep-wake cycle, sexual activity, longevity, ovarian function, life expectancy, sexually intact, methodology, misclassification bias, misleading assumptions, health outcomes, service dogs, endocrine system abnormalities, vasectomies, adrenal androgens, toxic chemicals, safe shelter, FIV-positive cats, FIV-negative cats, FIV transmission, false positives, test accuracy, thyroid function, benign intervention, vital hormones, biological response, statistically significant result, preventing reproduction, ovary conservation, healthy longevity, longevity-promoting interventions, trade-offs, contraception, mammary neoplasia, mortality rate, testicular cancer, benign tumors, metastasis, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), cat HIV, feline coronavirus, vaccine administration, anesthesia-related complications, perioperative mortality, inherent conditions