Chemical Castration: Is It Right For You?

Well, technically not for you, but for your dog. Non-surgical neutering, which we have been awaiting for years, is finally here. A recently-approved product called Esterilsol enables a veterinarian to perform a neuter as an out-patient appointment. The patient is lightly sedated, then an injection is performed into each testicle, following which the dog may go his merry way, virtually pain-free.Within 3 days, sperm production shuts down and the testicles begin to shrink.

Testicle size and testosterone production will be permanently reduced by approximately 50%, so there will be some tissue left that resembles a testicle, but is actually mostly scar tissue. There is no evidence of long-term side effects. The small amount of testosterone that remains may prove beneficial for certain large breeds of dogs, for whom surgical neutering slightly increases the incidence of bone cancer. Great Danes, St. Bernards, Mastiffs, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, and a few other giant breeds fall into this category. There are currently studies underway to determine if chemical castration can lower this risk.

The procedure is affectionately called "Zeutering," because the compound used is zinc gluconate.

At West End Animal Hospital, our doctors are trained and certified in the injection technique needed for this procedure. We look forward to Zeutering your dog. Although it may be tempting for you to have the procedure done on straying husbands, boyfriends, or weird relatives, it's not yet available for human beings.