Castration really does effect urethra development

[Oakroot]

So I see lots of people saying not to castrate bucklings too early because it will cause a small urethra and lead to an increased risk of UC but no one who was actually giving any evidence to back this up at all. I can't stand not knowing the hows and whys so I went hunting for some actual scholarly information on the subject. Thought some of you might like to see what I found as well.

This '07 paper is about lambs but perfectly illustrates the differences in development with early castration.
http://tru.uni-sz.bg/bjvm/vol10-no1-04.pdf

I could not find a full online version of it but "Effect of deferred castration on urethral development in calves." from 1957 by Safford and Marsh found the same results in cattle 50 years before.

This study http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1740-8261.1996.tb01244.x/abstract showed that male cats did not show a difference in urethra size depending on age of castration while female cats did.

So while it seems not every species may have significant changes in urethra size based on castration age and even though I could find no study on goats in particular it is pretty clear that age of castration really does have an effect. So if you are like me and where looking for some proof it seems like it is definitely the case that waiting to castrate will lead to larger urethra size.

 

[goodhors]

I always looked at early castration, sheep and calves, as a benefit in keeping
the animals more docile, easy handling for the people. These are Market
animals, with an expected short life, so the smaller urethra is not going to
be a problem in their later lifetime.

I would agree if you plan to keep the wether, goat or sheep, as a pet, maybe
letting him develop more size before castration is helpful in his later life. Not
sure how much that will affect his male behaviour in more butting or dominance
in the flock.

I am waiting on nuetering my dog, since Vet said it would be better to let him
be more mature sized first. He also said that waiting on male cats is helpful,
to let their urethra get larger. Seems opposite of your study results! Hmmm...

 

[SassyKat6181]

I always looked at early castration, sheep and calves, as a benefit in keeping
the animals more docile, easy handling for the people. These are Market
animals, with an expected short life, so the smaller urethra is not going to
be a problem in their later lifetime.

I would agree if you plan to keep the wether, goat or sheep, as a pet, maybe
letting him develop more size before castration is helpful in his later life. Not
sure how much that will affect his male behaviour in more butting or dominance
in the flock.

I am waiting on nuetering my dog, since Vet said it would be better to let him
be more mature sized first. He also said that waiting on male cats is helpful,
to let their urethra get larger. Seems opposite of your study results! Hmmm...

We recently got a new puppy and the breeder said to wait until he was 1 yr old, so that his body would grow properly. We have another male english cocker who was 9yrs old when we neutered him, and it never made a difference in his behavior. I know goats are different.

 

[Oakroot]

This is my plan as well to wait a bit longer for pet wethers but for terminal wethers that are bound for the freezer I would not worry about it. It is nice to see facts instead of hearsay on the mater though.

 

[alsea1]

If I remember correctly our lab was neutered pretty young. I sure hope this does not cause and issue in his later years.

If you leave rams and bucks intact , will they grow(fill out) better than if you band them early?

 

[Kitsara]

I really found this information very interesting. Made me start thinking a bit. I do know that in dogs, their male organs certainly grow larger than in a neutered dog and perhaps it's the reason why a lot of neutered male cats have urinary problems. Which is what I experienced as a kid, but I certainly didn't hear anything that associated it at the time with early neutering. So, I never thought about the possibility later.

However, I certainly want to get a long, healthy life out of my wethers when I decide on a pair to keep. I plan to train them drive and have them help out around the farm, and even do a little packing. So it'll be beneficial to wait then. Course, I'm still running into conflicting opinions on the right age to do it. I've seen as little as waiting till they are 3 months. Some say 6-8 months is best, others say wait a year. What I'd really like to know is, how long does the urethra take to develop fully, and how long does it take to develop enough to the point that developing UC is minimal.

 

[Goatherd]

What I'd really like to know is, how long does the urethra take to develop fully, and how long does it take to develop enough to the point that developing UC is minimal.

I really can't answer your question specifically, but I had/have a buck that I used to breed my does and then wanted to keep him as a pet because of his wonderful personality and demeanor.
I had him surgically wethered when he was about 18 months old by my vet. I felt he was more than developed and mature enough to safely do it at this age.
Despite all the controversy about graining, because he was done at this age, I continue to grain him twice a day along with the does. He gets pastured, hay, minerals and water.
He's not shown any signs of ever having a urinary problem. Not endorsing this for others, but this is how I've chosen to raise him and he's doing fine.

 

[cindyg]

I don't have much experience here, but just thought that the early castration was done so they could be banded more easily, as in the bands will fit over the scrotum. If you don't mind having it done surgically, as in spending the money for the vet then waiting for them to be a bit more grown makes sense to me. As long as they are kept from the does so as to avoid accidental breeding that is.

 

[SheepGirl]

I've never really 'bought into' this whole thing. Yes, their urethra grows more BUT does that mean they have less of a chance of getting UC? The size of the crystals in UC will block the urethra no matter its size. We've traditionally banded lambs when they were newborn to 3-4 wks old. I castrated one of my lambs when he was 21 days old (when his testes dropped and they were easier to put through the band) and not once did I have any issues with him. I sold him when he was 2.5 yrs old at auction with his 3.5 year old father/brother. IMO UC is primarily caused by incorrect feeding.

JMO.

 

[Catahoula]

I've never really 'bought into' this whole thing. Yes, their urethra grows more BUT does that mean they have less of a chance of getting UC? The size of the crystals in UC will block the urethra no matter its size. We've traditionally banded lambs when they were newborn to 3-4 wks old. I castrated one of my lambs when he was 21 days old (when his testes dropped and they were easier to put through the band) and not once did I have any issues with him. I sold him when he was 2.5 yrs old at auction with his 3.5 year old father/brother. IMO UC is primarily caused by incorrect feeding.

JMO.

Thank You. Wider urethra may allow tiny stones to pass through but UC is cause by forming of stones. I too believe incorrect diet is the main cause.