Considering castrating or neutering your male dog? Surgical castration is not the only option. You could also look into chemical castration, also known as a Suprelorin implant. Unlike surgery with permanent effects, this means your dog can be temporarily castrated with a small chemical injection. Learn more about Suprelorin, the dog castration implant, and see if this is the right option for your buddy. When you’re done, check out other helpful guides for dog parents on the Tractive blog.

Why castrate a male dog?

There are several reasons why dog parents choose to castrate (neuter) their male dogs. Left uncastrated, male dogs produce both sperm and testosterone, which can have some undesired or unplanned consequences. These include:

Puppies – you might have an unexpected grandpup if your dog gets another dog pregnant.
Overpopulation & welfare issues – some people unfortunately are not able to (or don’t want to) take care of new puppies; which can lead to more strays or shelter dogs.
Behavioral issues – such as humping, urine marking, aggression, and even running away from home.
Disease – your dog might have a greater chance of getting testicular cancer or prostate disease if left unneutered¹.

Dog parents who want to castrate their male dog(s) to prevent these issues have two options: surgical or chemical castration.

What is chemical castration for dogs and how does it work?

Chemical castration for dogs is a temporary castration option which is carried out using a Suprelorin implant. Your vet can implant this under your dog’s skin in a process similar to microchipping. It is relatively painless, and unlike surgical castration, does not require anesthesia. You can think of the implant as a tiny pill – it’s just taken “by skin” instead of by swallowing. Once in there, the Suprelorin implant will slowly release Deslorelin over time – this is the active ingredient that suppresses the function of the pituitary gonadal axis. In normal English, that’s the part of the brain which controls the reproductive system. As long as Deslorelin is present and released in your dog’s body, your dog will stay infertile.

The following infographic explains how chemical castration in dogs works:

chemical castration in dogs infographic from tractive

How long does it take for Suprelorin to work?

According to the implant manufacturer’s website, Suprelorin takes more than a month to show its effects the first time it is implanted. So be sure to keep your male dog away from female dogs in heat during this time to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

How long does chemical castration last in dogs?

Once the Suprelorin implant has become effective (over one month after injection), it lasts for 6 months; once the active ingredient (Deslorelin) is completely absorbed by the body, the implant will lose its effects. That’s why it’s recommended to implant again every 6 months to ensure continued infertility in your dog. Alternatively, you may choose to opt for surgical castration later on.

Does the Suprelorin implant need to be removed?

No. After the castration implant has lost its effectiveness, it does not need to be removed again. It will break down completely in your dog’s body without harming them. It should dissolve completely after about twice the time the implant was active. So, if it was active for 6 months, it will be gone by 12 months.

What behavior changes can I expect in my dog after chemical castration?

Chemical dog castration will only affect those behaviors in your dog which are driven by the male sex hormones. Once the implant has taken effect, your dog may:

have less interest in female dogs and sexual behaviors
have less of an urge to mark their territory with urine
be less aggressive

However, as VCA Hospitals notes, “A dog’s temperament, training, personality, and ability to “work” are a 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 beg or steal food from the table!

Have a dog with a strong mating or prey drive, or a tendency to roam too far? Get yourself a Tractive GPS tracker so you can enjoy peace of mind, and always know where your dog is.

Suprelorin implant side effects in dogs

Along with the intended effects such as lower testosterone, decreased libido, less sperm production, and temporary infertility, you can also expect the following possible side effects of Suprelorin in dogs:

swelling where the implant was put in
local inflammation or hardening
reduction in the size of testicles
diet and activity level changes
changes in your dog’s coat

Suprelorin is approved by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use. They have concluded that the benefits of the implant outweigh the risks of negative side effects.²

After castration, dogs typically need to consume less calories, since their activity level will likely decrease. If you’re not careful, your castrated male dog may gain weight. To ensure that your dog is getting enough physical activity after castration, invest in a GPS tracker and activity monitor for dogs. With it, you can keep track of how active they’ve been, see if they’ve got enough rest, and track calories burned. You can even set daily goals for them!

Chemical castration in dogs: Pros & cons

To summarize, the chemical castration option has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are the pros and cons of the Suprelorin dog castration option:

Pros	Cons
– Temporary/reversible – Low cost – No serious intervention – No anesthesia necessary – Significantly reduced unwanted sexual behavior	– Permanent hormonal changes – Changes in coat can occur – Adverse side effects possible