If you do not want to castrate a breeding male dog for health reasons, the implant method may be suitable as a trial castration. — dpa
People out walking an unneutered dog may become alarmed on hearing: “My dog is in heat,” from another owner and expect trouble.
Most people would probably be inclined to put a leash on the dog and flee the scene, even if the dog goes mad anyway. If you want to avoid neutering, you can now have a hormone implanted in your dog.
“The implant sends out active substances continuously, thereby stopping the production of testosterone,” says Ursula von Einem, a representative of the German Association of Veterinary Practitioners.
Depending on the substance, the dog cannot procreate for several months. The dog’s libido is significantly reduced, and the effect is noticeable in his shrinking testicles.
Trial of sorts
If you do not want to neuter a breeding male dog for health reasons, the implant method may be suitable as a trial neutering of sorts. Owners may want to know how their male dog reacts to castration before having his testicles removed.
“Some male dogs suffer when female dogs are in heat. Then they behave abnormally, lose a lot of weight or run away all the time,” says von Einem.
Neutering usually provides significant relief, she says. However, it has no effect on an animal’s unwanted behaviour, caused by fear or a lack of training.
“There are two different implants on the market, which differ in terms of their active ingredient and duration,” says Axel Wehrend, a vet specialising in reproductive medicine at Justus Liebig University Giessen.
The small implant lasts for at least six months while the large implant lasts for at least a year – although the actual length varies from animal to animal.
Enlarged testicles indicate that the effect is wearing off. If you think your dog needs a second implant, go back to the vet.
To ensure that the dog’s hormones do not fluctuate, the subsequent chip should be fitted while the previous one is still working.
Chip for female dogs
Chemical castration of male dogs was approved in 2007, and now the small implant can be given to female dogs, says Wehrend.
They are still subject to hormones, but they do not go into heat and become irresistible to males, and there is no bleeding.
However, the therapy is suitable for only very young animals.
“They should not be in puberty,” says the vet.
The first chip should be inserted between 12 and 16 weeks of age. It lasts for at least six months and can be renewed, if necessary.
However, sexually mature female dogs should not be given the hormone chip as it can cause ovarian diseases including cysts and suppuration or permanent heat.
What about male dogs?
Age-wise, that is different for male dogs. There is a minimum but no maximum age. And it can only be performed on sexually mature dogs, says Wehrend. The testicle develops in the abdominal cavity and then descends into the scrotum through the two open inguinal fissures, which then close.
If the animal is still young and has open inguinal fissures, there is a risk that the testicles, which have been reduced in size by the hormone chip, could fall back into the abdominal cavity.
The insertion of the chip is usually followed by a so-called stimulation phase, as the testosterone levels begin rising. Male dogs
have a higher sex drive before the production of testosterone and sperm cells decreases.
“The duration of the stimulation phase varies from animal to animal, but it should end after six weeks at the latest,” explains Wehrend. “For many, the dampening effect sets in after two weeks.”
As with all medication, some treatments can occasionally fail, meaning the chip has no effect on the animals.
Life-long hormones
Vets differ on how often dogs should be given a hormone chip. Some say it can be done for life.
Yet, it has not been sufficiently studied, says Wehrend, adding, “I know a number of male dogs who are on their fourth implant.”
In general, a hormone chip has very few risks and side effects. Some owners say that their pet’s hair changes, becomes wavy, softer or falls out. Males have less energy after surgical castration and gain weight, if fed as before. – dpa
