A vaccine that temporarily sterilizes dogs hits the market!
In the battle against pet homelessness, one of the most important things pet owners could do is have their dogs spayed or neutered. These sterilization processes are also common among shelter dogs as they can stop the heat cycle of female pups and make the male ones less aggressive and dominant. However, neutering and spaying are both surgical procedures, and we know for a fact that every surgery comes with risks. One of those is increasing the possibility for hip dysplasia should you have your male dog neutered early. This is why, a new vaccine launched in Chile, is somehow easing the worried minds of pet owners.
Male and female dogs in Chile can now be neutered and spayed for a year, thanks to a new vaccine called Egalitte. According to University of Chile’s Associate Professor in Veterinary Sciences, Leonardo Saenz, Egalitte vaccine is the first of its kind in the world, and it could stop sexual behavior and reproduction in dogs for a year, making it an alternative to the permanent surgeries. Because of its great promise, the vaccine is expected to be sold in several countries soon.
In other news about dog healthcare, there’s now an AI program that can accurately detect heart murmurs in dogs before they become serious. These murmurs can be an indication of an underlying heart problem. The AI program was able to conduct assessments that agree with the findings of an expert cardiologist.
What We Know About Egalitte Vaccine So Far
Saenz and his team started working on the vaccine in 2009 and it has finally rolled out in Chile this year. The big question is: how does it work? According to Saenz, the vaccine stimulates antibodies, which then stops the production of sex hormones in dogs, regardless of gender. By taking a shot of Egalitte, fertility and sexual activities among canines will be blocked.
In Santiago, Chile, a 27-year-old owner of a male dog chose the vaccine as a way to neuter his pet. He took his dog to a veterinary clinic to get the shot after being worried about the risks of the traditional method. Dr. Mariela del Saz, the clinic’s veterinarian, shared that a lot of dog owners are afraid of the surgery because of the claim that it could increase the risk of cardiorespiratory arrest.
In Chile, the cost of Egalitte vaccine is $50 per shot. It’s already been patented in 40 countries, and that includes Argentina, Brazil, United States, and more. Soon, the Egalitte vaccine will be sold in more countries.
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Risks Associated with Neutering and Spaying
In the last five years, scientific studies have come out that made some veterinarians reconsider their stance on getting dogs spayed and neutered. These studies claim that with early neutering comes the increased risk of hip dysplasia, cancer, and several joint problems in specific dog breeds. However, such studies remain inconclusive and more biological research are still required to prove the claims.
With regards to cardiac arrest, studies show that there’s a low chance for this to happen when neutering or spaying a pet. Although there are real-life stories that display its possibility, a dog’s overall health and age are factors that could influence the likelihood of cardiorespiratory arrest.
Still, most veterinarians will encourage you to have your male dog neutered or your female furry friend spayed as these procedures have real benefits. These include preventing the risk of uterine infection among female dogs (which could be deadly when left untreated) and better prostate health for male canines.
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From The Club
While neutering and spaying are pretty common among dogs, I kind of understand the worry behind putting our furry friends through these surgical procedures. They could leave our pets anxious post-surgery and and increase the likelihood of certain health problems after the procedure. We don’t know for sure if the Egalitte vaccine won’t have the same impact. I would love to see more reading materials about its clinical trials and safety evaluation. Only then can I decide if it’s an alternative worth considering.
