Chilean scientists develop reversible castration drug

Findley is a happy dog. The small white and brown Chilean terrier is one of the first dogs in the world to be neutered without having to go under the knife.

The procedure was carried out at his home in Santiago while he was held by his owner and given treats during and after, and he later scurried away as if nothing had happened.

There was no sedation or surgery, just a simple injection of what the developers say is an immune castration vaccine called egalitte.

Leonardo Saenz, a veterinarian and professor at the University of Chile who developed the vaccine, said it blocks the hormone responsible for reproduction and is reversible.

“If yes [that hormone] “When it is blocked, we do not release gonadotropin and therefore no sex hormones and the animal is in a state of castration,” he said.

The vaccine can be used for male and female dogs and costs about 50,000 pesos (US$54). To ensure the dog is a suitable candidate, a prescription and evaluation by a veterinarian is required.

The product could also help castrate animals on a larger scale because it is less invasive and complicated than surgical castration, Saenz said.

“One injection is much easier and you can vaccinate a larger number of animals if you need to do reproductive control,” he said.

The simplicity and ability to reverse neutering is what persuaded Findley's owner, Tamara Zamorano, to opt for the procedure.

“The other treatment, the castration, we were a little scared,” Zamorano said. “Aside from being simple, it is reversible. So if we want to breed him, we can do it at the right time.”

Findley didn't comment on the procedure, but he squirmed a bit during the injection. Later, he happily licked the vet's hand and continued with his day.