LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Have you ever wished you could have your dog neutered without having to go through surgery? Do you have concerns about general anesthesia?
Now there is a nonsurgical option for male dogs that will completely sterilize them with just a small injection of zinc into the testicles.
There is no general anesthesia, no incision, and almost no recovery period to experience with this procedure, and best of all, no cone – or Elizabethan collar – to wear.
The product used for this procedure is called Zeuterin, developed by Ark Sciences, and it is a preservative-free solution that contains just zinc gluconate and the amino acid arginine.
The zinc causes an inflammation reaction in the testicular tissue which results in fibrosis and a shutting down of the sperm production process.
The amount of zinc used is similar to that found in cold medication and it clears the body in about three days.
This process also decreases the production of testosterone over time, which means male dogs will have the beneficial effects of their natural hormones, but will have a decrease in their drive to urine mark, breed, dominate, or fight with other males.
For dogs with current behavioral problems, surgical castration – removal of the testicles – remains the procedure of choice.
Only certified and trained veterinarians may administer Zeuterin and this procedure is currently available at the veterinary clinic at Animal Care and Control, at Wasson Memorial Veterinary Hospital in Lakeport and at Mendocino Animal Hospital in Ukiah.
Thousands of dogs have been sterilized using zinc injections throughout the world in the past decade and Zeuterin has been widely received as an alternative to surgical castration, with minimal aftercare concerns.
The most common side effects seen are temporary itching or burning at the injection site.
This procedure is available for dogs over 12 weeks of age, with a minimum testicular size, healthy scrotal skin and both testicles present in the scrotum.
All dogs receive a “Z” tattoo near the scrotum, a special certificate and tag and this procedure is legal for licensing compliance in Lake County under the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance.
After the procedure, it can take up to one month for dogs to be considered 100-percent sterile as the testicular tissue dies off, so they should not be housed with females in heat during that time.
In most cases, this procedure is also less costly than a surgical castration and can be completed within the course of an office visit.
Your dog will receive light sedation that is reversed after the procedure so the whole event takes about 30 minutes.
Visit www.zeuterin.com for more information on nonsurgical castration.
A video of a veterinarian performing this procedure can be seen above.
Dr. Jennifer C. Bennett, DVM, MS, is medical director/veterinarian for Lake County Animal Care and Control, headquartered in Lakeport, Calif.
Lake County Animal Care and Control offers new nonsurgical zinc castration procedure
- Dr. Jennifer Bennett, DVM
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