Chemical castration implants for dogs: An alternative to surgical dog castration

Thinking of neutering your male dog? Surgical castration is not the only option. You could also look into chemical castration, also known as a Suprelorin implant. Unlike surgery with permanent effects, this means your dog can be temporarily castrated with a small chemical injection. Here’s how it works – and how you can prevent your dog from wandering while they recover.

Key Takeaways

Chemical castration, or a Suprelorin implant, provides a temporary, non-surgical alternative to traditional surgical castration for male dogs.

The Suprelorin implant becomes effective after about a month and its effects last for 6 months, after which it naturally dissolves.

Behavioral changes like reduced interest in female dogs, less urine marking, and decreased aggression may occur, but training remains essential. Potential side effects are typically mild.

A smart dog tracker with Health Monitoring like Tractive can help you keep an eye on your dog’s wanderings while they recover, plus also monitor your dog’s activity and calories burned. Helping you keep them at a healthy weight and prevent any roaming behaviors.

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Why castrate a male dog?

Left uncastrated, male dogs produce both sperm and testosterone, which can have some undesired or unplanned consequences. These include:

• Puppies – you might have an unexpected grandpup if your dog gets another dog pregnant.
• Overpopulation & welfare issues – some people unfortunately are not able to (or don’t want to) take care of new puppies; which can lead to more strays or shelter dogs.
• Behavioral issues – such as humping, urine marking, aggression, and even running away from home.
• Disease – your dog might have a greater chance of getting testicular cancer or prostate disease if left unneutered¹.

Dog parents who want to castrate their male dog(s) to prevent these issues have two options: surgical or chemical castration.

What is chemical castration for dogs and how does it work?

Chemical castration for dogs is a temporary castration option which is carried out using a Suprelorin implant. Your vet can implant this under your dog’s skin in a process similar to microchipping. It is relatively painless, and unlike surgical castration, does not require anesthesia. You can think of the implant as a tiny pill – it’s just taken “by skin” instead of by swallowing.

Once in there, the Suprelorin implant will slowly release Deslorelin over time – this is the active ingredient that suppresses the function of your dog’s brain that controls its reproductive system. As long as Deslorelin is present and released in your dog’s body, your dog will stay infertile.

The following infographic explains how chemical castration in dogs works:

How long does it take for Suprelorin to work?

It can depend on your dog and their general health status, plus why you’re getting them chemically castrated in the first place. Normally, Suprelorin starts reducing testosterone within a few days to weeks – but you might not see the full effect until after several weeks. During this time, you might notice your dog’s sexual behaviors reducing – they might not mount or hump other dogs, they might roam less, and might seem less aggressive. (Usually within a few weeks of being implanted.)

At the same time, it’s important to keep your dog away from female dogs in heat during this time so you avoid any unwanted pregnancies.

💡As an emergency measure, consider strapping a GPS tracker to your dog’s collar – if you’re worried they might escape home to find a mate. With just a glance at your phone, you’ll be able to track your dog in real-time – down to the slightest movement – in case they run away. Or set up “safe zones” around your home and get escape alerts if your dog tries leaving them.

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How long does chemical castration last in dogs?

Once the Suprelorin implant has become effective (over one month after injection), it usually lasts for 6 months, though you could also opt for a yearly implant. Once the active ingredient (Deslorelin) is completely absorbed by the body, the implant will lose its effects. That’s why it’s recommended to implant again every 6 months to ensure continued infertility in your dog. Alternatively, you may choose to opt for surgical castration later on.

Does the Suprelorin implant need to be removed?

No. After the castration implant has lost its effectiveness, it does not need to be removed again. It will break down completely in your dog’s body without harming them. It should dissolve completely after about twice the time the implant was active. So, if it was active for 6 months, it will be gone by 12 months.

What behavior changes can I expect in my dog after chemical castration?

Chemical dog castration will only affect those behaviors in your dog which are driven by the male sex hormones. Once the implant has taken effect, your dog may:

• have less interest in female dogs and sexual behaviors
• have less of an urge to mark their territory with urine
• be less aggressive

However, as VCA Hospitals notes, “A dog’s temperament, training, personality, and ability to “work” are a result of genetics and conditioning, not sex hormones.” So castration is not a substitute for training. You will still need to teach your dog basic obedience commands. For example, how to walk with you on a leash, or not to beg or steal food from the table!

Suprelorin implant side effects in dogs

Along with the intended effects such as lower testosterone, decreased libido, less sperm production, and temporary infertility, you can also expect the following possible side effects of Suprelorin in dogs:

• Swelling, redness, or itching where the implant was put in
• Reduction in the size of testicles
• Behavioral changes, like a drop in your dog’s activity or even behaviors resembling lethargy. On the other hand, some dogs might even become more aggressive or anxious.
• Changes in your dog’s coat, like increased shedding or a change in texture

Suprelorin is approved by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use. They have concluded that the benefits of the implant outweigh the risks of negative side effects.²

After castration, dogs typically need to consume less calories, since their activity level will likely decrease. If you’re not careful, your castrated male dog may gain weight.

Chemical castration in dogs: Pros & cons

To summarize, the chemical castration option has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are the pros and cons of the Suprelorin dog castration option:

Studies have also found that castrated dogs live, on average, 14% longer than uncastrated dogs³.

Chemical or surgical castration: Which is best for your dog?

At the end of the day, getting your dog surgically neutered is your 100% guarantee you won’t be dealing with any grand-pups any time soon. But you might consider chemical castration if:

• You do want your dog to father a litter of pups in the future
• You don’t want to change your dog’s appearance
• You’re concerned about any permanent changes in your dog’s behaviors

Since the implant is temporary, it’s a good way to check the effects of castration on your dog before going through with surgical castration.

Where a smart dog tracker can help

Chemical castration does still change your dog’s hormones and can have effects on their behavior and physical well-being. Strapped to your dog’s collar, a smart dog tracker like Tractive can be a potential lifesaver both before and after your dog’s implant.

Now with just a glance at your phone, you can:

• Track your dog in real-time
  Your dog might experience behavioral changes like increased wandering due to hormonal shifts before the Suprelorin takes full effect. Or as they recover, they might be disoriented or prone to straying. Real-time tracking allows you to see their exact location at all times, preventing them from getting lost. Plus, unlike an Apple AirTag, Tractive GPS trackers don’t need a network of compatible devices to work – nor are they limited by any range.
• Get alerted if your dog escapes a “safe zone”
  Which you can create – say around your home or yard – from your Tractive mobile app. If your dog steps outside these designated areas, you’ll receive an instant escape alert on your phone. This is particularly useful for dogs who might be exploring new boundaries or have a tendency to roam while their hormones are adjusting.

• Monitor how many calories your dog is burning
  With your tracker’s built-in motion detector that keeps track of their active minutes throughout the day. Chemical castration implants can affect your dog’s energy levels. But by knowing how many calories they’ve burned, you can adjust their food servings accordingly and keep them at a healthy weight.
• Spot potential health issues early
  If there’s a weird drop in your dog’s active minutes or even sleep quality, your tracker sends you a Health Alert. So you can take action earlier, get them over to the vet for a checkup, and catch on to a potential health issue much in advance.

Get health alerts for your dog

Our pups can’t always tell us if something’s wrong. But if their tracker detects unusual changes in their routine, you’ll get an alert, helping you catch potential issues early.

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And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.