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Chemical castration- any experience?

11 replies

ladyandthechocolate · 16/07/2019 17:25

Hi,
My dog is just over a year old and we are in no rush to castrate him, in fact I wondered whether we would bother at all. However, he is a total pest with constant humping and keeping on with other dogs on walks, licking their bits and I’m wondering whether to consider it.
Vets seem to be always pro- neutering but as he is on the anxious side I am keen not to make this worse. He’s much better than he used to be though but can be reactive to large, dark coloured dogs.
I understand that chemical castration is a good rehearsal for the real thing but obviously if it makes his anxiety worse it will not be permanent. Has anyone got any experience of it?
Thanks

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missbattenburg · 18/07/2019 12:46

Bumping for you (and because I am also interested in hearing about this).

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Lonecatwithkitten · 18/07/2019 13:31

His behaviours are not necessarily sexual and neutering probably won't completely eliminate them.

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babyblackbird · 18/07/2019 16:56

I would also be interested in people's experiences. A behaviourist has suggested this as an option for our dog but something about it makes me nervous. Also she did say that initially they will be flooded with testosterone as their body fights against the reduction and that behaviour would have to be v carefully managed in this stage - this in itself worries me !

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Jouska · 18/07/2019 17:11

A behaviourist suggest neutering? Change your behaviourist!

The only behaviour which has been proven to improve after castration is scent marking.

If you have an anxious dog I would agree with you and withhold castration (if at all)


I would not chemical castrate a nervous dog

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babyblackbird · 18/07/2019 17:30

@Jouska
You really don't know all the facts so best not judge so quickly.

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Jouska · 18/07/2019 17:40

No I agree it was a knee jerk comment sorry.

However most behavourists will recognise that unless it is scent marking castration is not the way to go. They should have behavioural modification plans in place.

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babyblackbird · 18/07/2019 17:46

We've done the modification plan which essentially went v well but we are now left wondering whether this is a case of male competitive aggression with other entire males - something that can potentially ( but not definitely) be helped by neutering. It's the lack of guarantees and the potential for far worse issues that concerns me.

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TerpsichoreanMuse · 18/07/2019 18:38

We tried it with great success - no humping but quite a pushy character who occasionally took a dislike to another dog, often around food. It was very successful, he calmed down a lot and so as it seemed to be wearing off a little early, Sir is now sans testicles. It seems to be taking a fair bit longer for the chill to set in - but checked with vet and can be 6 months.

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ladyandthechocolate · 19/07/2019 09:54

Thanks for your thoughts.
He is a bit pushy with other dogs, not necessarily a problem though. Part of my reasoning is that we will probably have a second dog at some stage (a bitch) and I want to be sure he won’t impregnate her!

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missbattenburg · 20/07/2019 21:15

@TerpsichoreanMuse how old was your dog when you first chemically castrated, if you don;t mind me asking?

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TerpsichoreanMuse · 20/07/2019 21:51

He's a rescue so can't be sure, but about 4 we think.

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