Chile makes a breakthrough in dog sterilization as it launches a vaccine described to neuter or spay dogs for a year.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that the vaccine prevents sexual behavior and reproduction for a year, which offers an alternative to the permanent and irreversible surgeries.
Leonardo Saenz, an Associate Professor from the University of Chile’s veterinary sciences faculty, says, “This is the first vaccine of this type in the world for dogs.”
Saenz reveals that he and his team have been working on creating the vaccine since 2009, which began to be distributed this month in Chile.
But how does the vaccine work? Well, according to Saenz, it stimulates antibodies and stops the production of sex hormones for a year in both male and female dogs.
Saenz said, “Everything is blocked: sexual activity and fertility.”
The vaccine, called the Egalitte vaccine is revealed to have been patented in 40 countries, including the United States, Argentina, Brazil, and in the European Union.
In Chile, the Egalitte vaccine costs $50 USD a shot.
AFP also shares that a 27-year-old student, Mr. Ivan Gutierrez, took his dog to a veterinary clinic in Santiago to be given the vaccine.
“I didn’t really want him to have the operation,” he said, sharing the sentiments of other dog owners that have concerns about the surgical castration.
The clinic’s veterinarian, Dr. Mariela del Saz said that most owners are afraid of the traditional way of dog sterilization due to the risk of cardiorespiratory arrest.
AFP reveals that the vaccine is expected to be sold in several dozen countries soon.