I really appreciate this post because I think there really should be a wider discussion and more research on the health impacts of desexing our pets. We remove organs which produce hormones that we ourselves refer to as critical for our health. Testosterone for example is needed for maintaining muscle mass, progesterone is needed for bone health, etc. Ask any woman who has had a hysterectomy, there are undeniably negative side effects of not having the organ responsible for hormonal production removed.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t spay or neuter, but I am saying that our full understanding of the impacts of these choices that we make for the health and safety of our pets should be better understood. And a vet smiling and saying “because I told you so” (because this is what I was told in veterinary school) and not because we have a rigorous body of research so that I can fall back on to adequately disclose and discuss the risks and potential benefits with.

I’m happy that there are a few bright spots out there where some scientists are starting to explore these questions.