08/28/2025
One of the detriments of early spay and neuter is increased risk of most musculoskeletal diseases, including CCL tears.  An alternative to consider is a vasectomy or o***y sparring. Although these practices are not as common in the US as they are in other parts of the world, there are usually at least a few vets in each state that do perform these services. They allow the animal to maintain their hormones while still protecting from unwanted pregnancies. 
In conclusion, this study shows that the risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs is linked to how long they are exposed to natural s*x hormones, and the relationship isn’t simple or linear. The highest risk was seen when females were spayed before about 1054 days (just under 3 years) and males before about 805 days (a little over 2 years). These results may help define what counts as “early” spay or neuter when it comes to cranial cruciate ligament disease risk.
Veterinary reproduction specialists now recommend hormone-preserving sterilization: preventing unwanted litters & less risk of torn cruciates.
