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Downloads for AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines.

The Center for Cancer Research estimates approximately 6 million dogs and a similar number of cats are diagnosed with cancer each year. Veterinary teams are managing pets with cancer and talking to pet owners about treatment. It takes special insight to deliver the bad news to clients and help them understand what options are available. Sue Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology) answered some questions about how to talk to clients as they pursue the best care and quality of life for their pets.    

AAHA recommends that all dogs not intended for deliberate breeding be spayed or castrated. For pet owners who choose to breed, practitioners should promote responsible breeding practices including collaboration with research programs to reduce perpetuation of disease through careful selection of breeding individuals.

Concepts to consider for spay and neuter timing from the 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines.

These recommendations attempt to balance risk of orthopedic disease, USMI, and some cancers associated with early sterilization, against risk of mammary neoplasia, unwanted litters, and possible other cancers if sterilized later. These medical recommendations may need to be balanced against certain nonmedical extenuating circumstances, such as likelihood of future access to veterinary care, financial incentives provided by adoption groups, or the opportunity to perform surgical sterilization concurrently with another anesthetized procedure.

The 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines focus on life stages that require different approaches to preventive care. The spectrum of care within each life stage is affected by the age, size, lifestyle, health status, and breed of the dog.

These tables will help you determine what tests are needed at each canine life stage.