Chemical
neutering is a medical treatment that reduces sex hormone
activity.
The hormone treatments available vary from country to country. In
the UK, both injectable and tablet forms are available. Males recieve
an injection of Tardak, an anti-testosterone
injection, which will not protect against testicular cancers
later in life, while bitches are given Delvosterone to suppress
seasons. This does not protect a bitch from mammary tumours and
it can increase the likelyhood of a womb infection (pyometra) developing. Pyometra reduces
fertility and often requires emergency surgery. Other possible side effects
include swelling of the mammary glands and increase in mammmary
cancer. Hormonal conditions such as diabetes and false pregnancy
may also arise.Tardak
is most effective in suppressing male testosterone linked to behaviour
such as aggression and hypersexuality.
Chemical neutering (hormone treatments) can provide a temporary fix
without the need for
surgery. In dogs destined for breeding it has a useful advantage
as once stopped the bitch will subsequently come into heat. Treatment
may either be given to supress a heat when the bitch starts to show
signs or be given at regular intervals between seasons to postpone the
heat completely, but it is never a long-term
option and is generally advised that no more than two heat cycles are
suppressed in a row. Only bitches that are fully mature and which
have had their first season should be treated. When treatments
are stopped, the bitch usually comes into heat between two and nine
months later.
It can be effective and safe but surgical neutering removes more of the
active hormones and is more effective. Also medicines are only
effective in the short term and they do have potential side effects
such as increased appetite, excessive thirst and increased
urination. The possibility of side effects depends on the type of
treatment used so owners need to think carefully before starting
treatment.
The cost of chemical neutering is variable. It is generally
cheaper in the short-term than surgery but should only be regarded as a
temporary
fix to surgery.
A Tardak injection will last for approximately a month, while
Delvosterone can last for several months.
