All the benefits of surgical castration …without the surgery

 

Surgical castration is not your only option

Medical castration is a good choice if you are concerned about the potential health impacts of surgical castration or if you want to avoid anaesthesia and surgery.

1. There is emerging evidence that the removal of the gonads (the testicles in male dogs) may increase the risk of long-term issues including joint disorders and some cancers in certain breeds.¹ When a dog’s testes are removed it can lead to high levels of other sex hormones that may impact other parts of the body including appetite, cancer and the musculoskeletal system.¹ Medical castration works differently. It controls the release of sex hormones in a different way to surgical castration.

2. Surgical castration involves the removal of both testicles to achieve reduction of testosterone and infertility. Unlike surgical castration, medical castration controls the release of sex hormones from the brain to reduce testosterone. It does not require the removal of the testicles and does not lead to high levels of other sex hormones.

 

Opting for medical desexing

Medical desexing offers a modern alternative to traditional surgical methods for those looking to desex their dogs while avoiding the complexities of surgery. It delivers all the key advantages of surgical desexing—from behavioural modifications to preventing unwanted litters—without subjecting the dog to general anaesthesia or the potential risks and recovery time associated with surgical procedures. As a result, medical desexing is emerging as a preferred choice for pet owners seeking a safe and stress-free solution for their dogs.

More information about castration options including the risks and benefits can be found by reading the Australian Veterinary Association policy on companion animal desexing, bit.ly/ava-desexing-policy.

 

Choosing the right option for your dog

While desexing can offer advantages to some male dogs, it's important to consider factors such as your dog's age, breed, health status, and lifestyle. Your vet can provide personalised advice and help you understand the pros and cons of desexing for your dog. Making an informed decision ensures you choose the best path for your dog's health and happiness.

 

What is medical castration and how does it work?

Medical castration works to lower testosterone in male dogs to a point where sperm cannot be produced, resulting in infertility.

It is given to a male dog via a small implant that is placed under the skin between the shoulders (similar to the microchipping process). It can be placed during a normal consultation with your veterinarian and does not require anaesthesia or surgery.

The implant is resorbable and will slowly release the active ingredient as it dissolves. It does not require removal. It controls the release of sex hormones in a different way to surgical castration.

The lowering effect gradually wears off once the implant has dissolved and testosterone levels will return to normal if a new implant is not inserted.

 

Is medical castration safe?

Medical castration has been routinely used to medically castrate male dogs around the world for almost 20 years. There are no significant side effects. Soreness at the implantation site is rarely seen.

 

Simple, half-yearly or yearly implants

The lowering effect gradually wears off once the implant has dissolved and testosterone levels will return to normal if a new implant is not implanted. Medical castration is available in two forms and to ensure uninterrupted continuation of reduced testosterone and infertility a new implant should be implanted every 6 or 12 months:

 

A 4.7mg implant should be implanted every 6 months.

 

 

 

A 9.4mg implant should be implanted every 12 months.

 

 

Benefits of medical castration

• Helps to address behavioural problems which may be testosterone-related^#
• May alleviate diseases that are dependent on testosterone (e.g. prostatic enlargement)
• Controls both testosterone and reproduction without surgery or anaesthesia

If you are considering breeding from your male dog, it is recommended to confirm baseline fertility prior to use of the implant and to discuss the length of time to return of testosterone for each implant size, as testosterone can take longer to return to normal in some males and return to fertility may be delayed.
 

1. A.V.A. (2022) Surgical sterilisation of dogs and cats, Australian Veterinary Association. Available at: https:// www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/policies/companion-animals-health/desexing-surgical-sterilisation-of-companion-animals/

#Behaviour problems are not always due to testosterone. Please talk to your vet who will be able to advise what is best for your dog.