Chemical castration experience and diary for anyone interested

[MakeMeJuno]

Hello. For a long time we didn't know whether to go ahead with any castration of our 20 month old dog as he doesn't really exhibit any negative behaviours, only humping in the evening and scent marking. He is a very confident and sociable boy... can be selectively deaf as he has a very high prey drive. After lots of thought and numerous discussions with our lovely vet we opted for a chemical trial to see. He is a small breed - 10kg ish.

We're 2 weeks in now. I wanted to document our experiences as I was so nervous about 'ruining' him! So far:

• Insertion was a lot, lot worse than I had prepared for. We are now working on desensitising at the vets. We should have prepared better. Didn't realise he would have to be muzzled - first time he had ever worn a muzzle. Very distressing but seems to still be happy to go in to the vet, but won't go on the table yet
• Immediately back to normal, no ill effects
• Had been warned of a 'surge' behaviour - nothing yet. He seems exactly the same, but did try to hump another dog at the beach today which he has never done

Will check back in as and when

I'm a sample size of one but I had a foster dog who's adoptive owners (who I knew prior) had the implant not full neutering - neutering of some form was a condition a of adoption.

Now I don't know if it didn't work or it wore off quickly but what seemed to be the result was a teenage dog who didn't know if he was coming or going.

His behaviour was all the undesirable bits of an entire dog - which his adopters found challenging.

So after 6 months with them, I took him back as a foster and was was rehomed to a new family - where is is very happy to this day. After a good few months of retraining, a bit of boot camping and full castration and he was a much happier, less stressed, more straightforward dog. And nicer to own.

Just to update. We also went ahead and my dog had his.

Also anxiously waiting ‘the surge’ 😄

@Princessponies how did the insertion go?

We are still deep in testosterone land I have to be honest! I just keep reminding myself it is temporary!

Wow we are in the thick of it 3 weeks in... my friend has come to stay with her female dog. They have stayed several times before, both dogs played nicely together and generally calmed. My dog is OBSESSED - he will not leave her alone, trying to hump. I tried to move him away to give the pool girl some space and he tried to bite me. It's like he is possessed. Sharing this because I know it will pass, and for anyone else who comes across this and has moments of thinking they have ruined their dog - you are not alone

Oh god I’ve already cried today because I feel like I’ve made a horrendous mistake.

Mines not changed yet but I’ve read so many bad stories about increased aggression today.

Insertion was fine. He’s usually very well behaved for things like that anyway luckily.

I think it's mainly temporary, I am probably anthropomorphising but the swinging ups and downs of hormone surges are bound to affect them, currently peri-menopausal and so I know why I feel like I am going crazy and have uncontrollable emotions, but I sat and cried several times when boy acted out and he looked so sad and confused, so I just tried to reassure him.

I’ve just realised I sounded a bit insane on the last post.

As a bit of context I lost my lovely dog prior to this one as he suddenly became very aggressive and had to be put to sleep, he bit multiple people at the time which was awful. It turns out he had a brain tumour so a reason behind it though. I’ve been obsessed with my dog ‘becoming aggressive’ ever since, I worry about it constantly which I know comes across irrational.

So far nothings really happened with mine, maybe a bit needy! It’s only been 3 days though 😄 Just trying to remember we survived adolescence so hopefully this is the same but shorter!

Coming back with positive news - think we have turned a corner 😊lovely day today with very chilled behaviour at our group training class, and no humping of anyone or anything so far this evening!

@Princessponies I am sorry to hear of your experience. I understand the anxiety and sense of responsibility. All I want for my boy is to do the best by him, and when he has shown resource guarding or snapped at my husband I tend to spiral and assume the worst, but in reality he's still just levelling out and we just have to work with him

My boy had a six month chemical castration at 14 months old about a year ago. He had a sedative so it didn't bother him at the vets. Tbh didn't notice much difference. He wasn't humpy or marking but he was obsessive about dogs before his implant. His bits went really small and have stayed little. We didn't castrate because he's a bit nervous and jumpy. He's 2 and a half now and I guess his implant has worn off. He's more confident around dogs and people and less hyper but that might be because he's grown up or might be because he's got more testosterone back??
I'd like to get him done but I might do another implant just to be sure he doesn't get nervous again.

We've turned a corner here - feel the 'surge' is almost over and he seems to be marginally more focused on us/more treat orientated? We managed an off lead run together with him following me almost the entire time this morning! Scent marking still frequent, humping not really present anymore. Glad we did it if this trend continues

A great weekend - he seems a lot more focused and food orientated, which has resulted in us being able to go off leash in very exciting previously banned places (AKA the beach!)

That’s brilliant! Bet your glad it’s over.

Luckily our ‘surge’ has mainly resulted in him being very playful and needy. No aggression or negative behaviour yet…touch wood.

Just hoping for a good result!

His nackers have shrunk! And scent marking a lot less. He seems more chill, definitely more hungry. Really pleased so far

My dog had the insertion 5 weeks ago no trauma no muzzle he is a rescue, very traumatised, erratic inclined to snap at people and dogs, tends to mark if not watched. He has calmed down far more relaxed, still not trusted with other dogs much better with people once he's got used to them, the trick being for people to totally ignore him when coming into house, within a few minutes he has settled down, so I would rather use this method than the trauma of an operation with everything involved. After the 6 months will discuss with my vet in next step. Hope this might help.

I wonder if OP will update?

Hello! We decided to have him surgically done after the success of the chemical. It was a great decision and I am so glad we did it :) he is much more chill. Possibly slightly more reactive e.g. to people walking past the window sometimes, and he is weary of in tact males - but on the whole he's great

Also reading with interest. I have a friend who is driving me absolutely barmy on almost a daily basis. Last male I had was 20 years ago,it was surgical. While waiting to be old enough,it was the scent marking and the humping he exhausted himself. Friends dog exactly the same,he humps everything, and exhausts himself, she gets really annoyed, Same with the scent marking. Yet, she blames the bitch owners, claiming they're obviously not spayed. Our 2 are spayed, but that doesn't stop males wanting a sniff. All our dogs have been neutered, I don't know why she has never had him done. He's a flaming nuisance. My DH is like her,walks really fast and cannot be doing with the scent marking. She is going on holiday (a long one ) dropping hints,he cannot be let of the lead, one of my dogs hates him,he's snappy with other dogs on a walk.