Thinking of getting your male dog aborted? Surgical castration is not the only option. You can check again chemical castrationalso known as Suprelorin implant. Unlike surgery which has permanent effects, this means your dog can be castrated temporarily with a small chemical injection. Here’s how it works — and how to keep your dog from wandering while he recovers.
Key Takeaways
Chemical castration, or the Suprelorin implant, provides a temporarily, otherwise not provided in the traditional castration of male dogs.
The Suprelorin implant starts working after a month again its effects last for 6 monthsafter that it dissolves naturally.
Changes in behavior such as reduced interest in female dogs, less urine marking, and decreased aggression may occur, but training remains important. Possible side effects are usually mild.
Smart dog tracker with Health Monitoring like Tractive can help you keep an eye on your dog’s movement while it recovers, and track your dog’s activity and calories burned. To help you keep them at a healthy weight and prevent any wandering behavior.
Always know that your friend is well and safe
Read more
Why is a male dog angry?
If left neutered, male dogs produce both sperm and testosterone, which can have some unwanted or unintended consequences. This includes:
- Puppies – you may have an unexpected grandpa if your dog gets pregnant by another dog.
- Overpopulation and social issues – some people unfortunately can’t (or don’t want to) take care of new puppies; which may lead to a large number of stray or shelter dogs.
- Behavioral problems – such as growling, urine marking, aggression, even running away from home.
- Diseases – your dog may have a greater chance of developing testicular cancer or prostate disease if left off-leash1.
Dog parents who want to castrate their male dogs to prevent these problems have two options: surgical or chemical castration.
What is chemical castration of dogs and how does it work?
Chemical castration of dogs a temporary pruning option which is done using a Suprelorin transplant. Your vet can implant this under your dog’s skin in a process similar to microchipping. It is relatively painless, and unlike surgical castration, it does not require anesthesia. You can think of the implant as a little pill – it’s just taken “through the skin” instead of swallowed.
Once in there, the Suprelorin implant will slowly release Deslorelin over time – this is an active ingredient that suppresses the activity of your dog’s brain that controls its reproductive system. As long as Deslorelin is present and excreted from your dog’s body, your dog will remain sterile. 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 its general health, as well as why you are having it chemically neutered in the first place. Generally, Suprelorin begins to reduce testosterone within a few days to weeks – but you may not see the full effect until after a few weeks. During this time, you may notice your dog’s sexual behavior decrease – they may not mount or bite other dogs, they may roam less, and they may appear aggressive. (Usually within a few weeks of planting.)
At the same time, it is important to keep your dog away from female dogs in heat during this period to avoid any unwanted pregnancy.
💡 Like emergency measureconsider strapping a GPS tracker to your dog’s collar – if you’re worried he might run away from 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 it runs away. Or set up “safe zones” around your home and get escape alerts if your dog tries to leave them.
Follow your dog anywhere
Get real-time location information, no matter where they are. And find out when they’re trying to escape, or just when they’re going somewhere they shouldn’t be, with Virtual Fences.
Buy Dog Trackers
How long does chemical castration last for dogs?
Once the Suprelorin implant has worked well (more than one month after the injection), it usually continues 6 monthsor you can also opt for annual transfers. If the active ingredient (Deslorelin) is completely absorbed by the body, the implant will lose its effects. That is why it is recommended that you replant every 6 months to ensure continued fertility in your dog. Alternatively, you may choose to opt for surgical castration at a later date.
Does the Suprelorin implant need to be removed?
No. After the castration seal has worn off, it does not need to be removed again. It will break completely on your dog’s body without harming him. It should dissolve completely after twice as long as the application has been active. So, if it was active for 6 months, it will be gone in 12 months.
What behavioral changes can I expect in my dog after chemical castration?
Chemical castration will only affect those behaviors of your dog that are driven by male sex hormones. Once the transplant has worked, your dog may:
- be little interest in female dogs and sexual behavior
- be under the desire to mark their place with urine
- be a little aggressive
However, as VCA Hospitals notes, “A dog’s temperament, training, personality, and ability to “work” are the 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 ask or steal food from the table!
Suprelorin causes side effects in dogs
Along with the intended effects such as low testosterone, decreased libido, less sperm production, and temporary infertility, you can expect the following side effects of Suprelorin in dogs:
- Inflammation, rednessor itching where the implant was placed
- Decreased size of the testicles
- Changes in behaviorsuch as a decrease in your dog’s activity or even behavior such as fatigue. On the other hand, some dogs may be aggressive or anxious.
- Changes in your dog’s coatsuch as increased spillage or change in texture
Suprelorin is approved by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use. They concluded that the benefits of implantation outweigh the risks of serious side effects.2
After castration, dogs generally need to eat fewer calories, as their activity level will decrease. If you are not careful, your neutered male dog may become overweight.
Chemical castration in dogs: Pros and cons
To summarize, the chemical castration option has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are the pros and cons of the Suprelorin dog castration option:
| Benefits | Evil |
| – Temporary/reversible – Low cost – No major interventions – No anesthesia is required – Significantly reduced unwanted sexual behavior – It can reduce the risk of certain reproductive disorders in dogs, including tumors |
– Permanent hormonal changes – A change of coat is possible – Possible side effects |
Research has also found that Neutered dogs live, on average, 14% longer than non-neutered dogs3.
Chemical or surgical castration: Which is best for your dog?
At the end of the day, spaying your dog is your 100% guarantee that you won’t be dealing with any grand-pups anytime soon. But you may consider chemical castration if:
- You want your dog to have a litter of puppies in the future
- You don’t want to change your dog’s appearance
- You are concerned about any permanent changes in your dog’s behavior
Since the implant is temporary, it is a good way to test the effects of castration on your dog before surgical castration.
That’s where a smart dog tracker can help
Chemical castration still changes your dog’s hormones and can affect his behavior and physical well-being. Strapped to your dog’s collar, a smart dog tracker like the Tractive can be a lifesaver before and after your dog is neutered.
Now with just a glance at your phone, you can:
- Track your dog in real time
Your dog may experience behavioral changes such as increased wandering due to hormonal changes before Suprelorin takes full effect. Or as they recover, they may become confused or prone to wandering. Real-time tracking allows you to see their exact location at all times, preventing them from getting lost. And, unlike Apple AirTag, Tractive GPS trackers don’t need a network of compatible devices to work – and aren’t limited by any range. - Get notified when your dog escapes to “safe space”
You can create it – say around your home or in the yard – from your Tractive mobile app. If your dog ventures outside of these designated areas, you will receive an instant escape alert on your phone. This is especially important for dogs who may be exploring new boundaries or tend to roam while their hormones are being adjusted.
- Monitor how many calories your dog is burning
With a built-in motion detector for your tracker that tracks its active minutes throughout the day. Chemical castrations can affect your dog’s energy levels. But by knowing how many calories they burned, you can adjust their diet accordingly and keep them at a healthy weight. - Recognize potential health problems early
If there is a strange drop in your dog’s active minutes or sleep quality, your tracker sends you a Health Alert. So you can take action early, take them to the vet for a check-up, and deal with a potential health problem early.
Buy Dog Trackers