From the Chile news reaches us that a vaccine to sterilize dogsboth male and female, without surgery. It would be a reversible vaccine, to be repeated annually, but which is causing some doubts. You will forgive us for using the conditional, but until we see the leaflet of the drug in question, some doubts are legitimate.
Egalitte, the “vaccine” to sterilize dogs
The vaccine in question comes from the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry ofUniversity of Chile. Here the researchers tested what is defined as a “contraceptive vaccine” which will allow you to sterilize dogs with a simple injection (more or less).
The doctor Leonardo Saenzfrom the University of Chile, explained that research has been going on since 1989. It all started in Australia with the development of a vaccine for pigs. What the vets then did was take the concept of immunocastration and develop it for use in pets.
The effects of this vaccine promise to be the same as surgical castration. Furthermore, Saenz says there won’t be any side effects as in the case of the pre-existing vaccine and which will work on both male and female dogs. (READ also: Sterilize your dog: I’m a veterinarian and I’ll explain when and why you should do it)
Saenz talks about one “immunological castration” in which, following the vaccine, there will be no estrogen and progesterone in circulation in females and there will be no testosterone in males.
Saenz then specified that since it is a vaccine that blocks the production of hormones, it will not work like a contraceptive, but more like a immune castration. The difference is that contraceptives prevent fertilization, but not heat-related reproductive activities. With their vaccine, however, there will be no hormones in circulation and therefore there will be no reproductive activity as there will not even be gametes (eggs and sperm) in circulation.
Apparently the patent it should also have been purchased here in Europe and the United States, but the vaccine is still being tested.
How does it work?
On the Egalitte website, this is the Chilean name for this vaccine, it is explained that it is a form of immunocastration with temporary and reversible block of testicular function and behavior linked to reproduction (therefore also marking, escapes, fights and mounting) in males and with temporary and reversible suppression of oestrus in females.
This is how it works:
- subcutaneous injection of the vaccine in the scapular area
- immune blockade of GnRH (unfortunately the site does not explain in detail what this immune blockage entails and how it occurs)
- inhibition of the production and secretion of FSH and LH
- production block of the ovaries and testes
The effect is reversible. The first treatment involves administering two doses subcutaneously 30 days apart, then one dose is repeated per year.
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Cost?
Currently the cost he wanders around 50 dollars per dose in the countries where it is currently present.
Advantages, disadvantages and doubts
At this point, there are doubts. Let’s start with advantages of such a vaccine:
However, some could also be highlighted disadvantages:
Going to read the comments of users on various social networks and sites, some questions emerge criticality on the part of owners:
Indeed, at first glance, some perplexity this vaccine arouses it. Exactly, on an immune level, how does it work? There could be interference with other vaccines? Since it is a vaccine, if the dog needs treatment in the weeks following the injection cortisonewould this inactivate this vaccine?
But doesn’t chemical sterilization already exist for dogs?
In theory yes. Here in Italy there is a drug based on deslorelin (Suprelorin the trade name) which allows the chemical sterilization of the male dog. The drug, in fact, is currently registered only for dogs, although off label it has also been used on ferrets and cats. It is a subcutaneous implant, therefore an injection, which does not require sedation.
How does it work? Deslorelin is a GnRH agonist. Once inoculated, it suppresses the relative function of the pituitary-gonadal axis. Which means that the dog is unable to synthesize and release FSH, the follicle-stimulating hormone and LH, the luteinizing hormone, i.e. the hormones that maintain fertility.
The continuously released low dose of deslorelin fromplant in practice:
However, this happens 4-6 weeks after implantation, so in the first month after implantation you need to be careful because the dog is still fertile. There are two formulations: one reversible after 6 months and one reversible after one year.
So, in reality, surgical alternatives to castration they are already there, even if only for male dogs.
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