Neutering is associated with developing hemangiosarcoma in dogs in the Veterinary Medical Database: An age and time-period matched case-control study (1964-2003).

Abstract

The hypothesis that neutered dogs in the Veterinary Medical Database (VMDB) are at increased risk for developing hemangiosarcoma (HSA) was tested. Dogs (= 5736) were diagnosed with HSA from a population of 2 106 324 dogs in the VMDB from 1964 to 2003. A case-control design matched on age and time period was created for general, cardiac, and splenic HSAs. A logistic regression analysis was performed including breed. Spayed females had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.59 for splenic, 1.47 for cardiac, and 1.72 for HSA in general. Castrated males had an OR of 1.26 for splenic and 1.14 for HSA in general compared to intact males. Controlled for historical time period and patient age, VMDB data support that neutering is associated with development of splenic HSA and HSA in general in both male and female dogs, but not cardiac HSA with an apparently lower than previously described magnitude of association. Key clinical message: This case-control design confirms an association between neutering and development of HSA and splenic HSA, but not cardiac HSA, in both male and female dogs. By controlling for time period at diagnosis, the bias of recent early neuter practices is eliminated, suggesting early neuter is not a principal driver of this effect.