Age at gonadectomy and risk of overweight/obesity and orthopedic injury in a cohort of Golden Retrievers.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

In the United States, gonadectomy is common and widely promoted as a component of responsible pet ownership. The recent publication of several studies examining the effect of gonadectomy on future health has challenged long-held assumptions and recommendations for gonadectomy in companion animals. The purpose of this study was to characterize the associations between gonadectomy and two outcomes: overweight/obesity and orthopedic injuries, in a large prospective study of Golden Retrievers.

Methods

Age at gonadectomy was divided into four categories: intact (reference), ≤ 6 months, > 6 months ‒ ≤ 12 months, and > 12 months. Dogs with a Purina Body Condition Score of 7 or greater were classified as overweight or obese. Orthopedic injuries considered were the first

SUBMITTER: Simpson M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6636707 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature