Chilean researchers have succeeded in producing a vaccine for the reversible sterilization of dogs, thus allowing the four-legged friends to be exempted from the surgical procedure of final sterilization, reports Reuters on Friday.
The “immunocastration” vaccine blocks the production of a vital hormone PHOTO Archive
The first animal to receive the Egalitte “immunocastration” vaccine is Findley, a small white and brown Chilean terrier. The procedure took place in the apartment of his mistress in Santiago de Chile. The dog was held by the owner and received rewards both before and after the intervention.
Without sedation and without surgical intervention, the procedure only involves a simple injection and the effects are reversible. Leonardo Saenz, veterinarian and professor at the University of Santiago de Chile, the creator of this vaccine, explained that it works by blocking a hormone involved in reproductive function.
“If we block that hormone, no more gonadotropin is released and implicitly no more sexual hormones are released and the animal is castrated“, he explained.
The vaccine can be used for both males and females and costs about 50,000 pesos ($54). Sterilization also requires a visit to the veterinarian who must ensure that the animal is in good health.
Leonardo Saenz claims that the product he created can also be used to sterilize animals on a larger scale, because it is less invasive and complicated than surgical castration.
“One injection is much easier and you can vaccinate a large number of animals if you need to control reproduction”he said.
The simplicity of the procedure and the fact that it is reversible led Findley’s owner, Tamara Zamorano, to choose this option.
“We were kind of afraid of the other (surgical) castration treatment,” Findley’s mistress stated. “Besides being a simple procedureit is also reversible, so if we want to pair it, when the right time comes, we can do it”.
