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The effect of spaying on the racing performance of female greyhounds

Payne, Richard M.

Authors

Richard M. Payne



Contributors

Abstract

The effect of spaying (ovariohysterectomy) on racing greyhound performance was analysed. Using data from a longitudinal observational study design, random effects models were used to compare the racing performance before and after spaying. Greyhounds were matched by distance and date of racing, and then both spayed and entire bitches were compared for each stadium which had spayed greyhounds on the racing strength. The racing performance of entire females was selected from the anoestral period (from 90 days post-oestrus to the next oestrus).

Spaying had no real effect on performance, with a mean difference of +0.066 seconds (90% CI: −0.004, +0.135 s) over 480 metres. The effect of time since spaying had no effect (90% CI: −0.0002 to +0.0001 s/day). Spaying of racing greyhound bitches produced no overall change in performance, and had no apparent long term effect on performance. These results are discussed within the context of the current information on the advantages and disadvantages of spaying at a young age.

Citation

Payne, R. M. (2013). The effect of spaying on the racing performance of female greyhounds. Veterinary Journal, 198(2), 372-375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.08.026

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 26, 2013
Online Publication Date Sep 3, 2013
Publication Date 2013-11
Deposit Date Sep 18, 2019
Journal The Veterinary Journal
Print ISSN 1090-0233
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 198
Issue 2
Pages 372-375
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.08.026
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2628453
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023313004012
Additional Information This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: The effect of spaying on the racing performance of female greyhounds; Journal Title: The Veterinary Journal; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.08.026; Content Type: article; Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.