Non-surgical sterilization methods in dogs

Non Surgical Sterilization of the Dog:

For many decades, the surgical sterilization of the dog has been the major initiative used to stop the unnecessary breeding of dogs. The surgical sterilization of dogs has resulted in the invention of various techniques and procedures including the increasing recognition of the sterilization of both kittens and puppies as well as the of mobile sterilization vehicles. In various animal shelters where neutering and spaying has been used, there has been a significant reduction of the number unnecessary dogs, puppies, kittens and cats. However, these surgical sterilization methods have not been effective in terms of targeting untamed population of dogs and communities that are difficult to reach (Zawistowski, n.d.). This untamed population and communities would be easier to reach if non-surgical sterilization of dogs was available and utilized.

Due to this need, a significant work and effort has been put to develop non-surgical sterilization methods in the last couple of decades. These efforts of developing non-surgical sterilization of the dog have also been largely because of the fact that affording the cost spaying and neutering have been next to impossible for many people as well as the restricted access to veterinary care (Singer, 2010). While many researchers have come close to identifying the non-surgical sterilants and contraceptives of pets, much of their early work and innovative ideas have been frustrated by the shortage of funds. Most of the contraceptives and sterilization products that are available for veterinary use today are non-surgical regardless of the fact that they have serious side-effects. In light of these traditional surgical techniques and procedures, identifying secure and effective non-surgical techniques and procedures has been a big challenge. Nonetheless, immunocontraception has been the most significant non-surgical sterilization research and method in the past decade.

Immunocontraception:

This is considered as the main non-surgical method of controlling unnecessary breeding in animals including dogs and involves the use of the body's own immune system to hinder fertility. The method neutralizes and hinders the usual reproductive process of an animal by introducing exogenous reproductive proteins through injection making the animal to produce antibodies. There are several immunocontraceptives targets that include zona pellucida which is the covering on the egg or oocyte that the sperm connects to during fertilization (Tasker, n.d.). This hinders the sperm from connecting to the oocyte and as a result prevents the possibility of fertilization occurring.

The other immunocontraceptive means is the inhibition of reproductive hormones i.e. either the oestrogen or testosterone by preventing the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). As the main non-surgical sterilization method, immunocontraception is mainly advantageous because it is appropriate for oral administration and does not need animal capture. While the availability of these immunocontraception products is increasing, there has also been a greater interest in the research of identifying non-surgical sterilants. This search has significantly increased after the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs got a huge funding from the Michelson Prize and Grants in Reproductive Biology. The alliance is mandated with the task of controlling the global population of both dogs and cats by accelerating the discovery of non-surgical methods and sponsoring the delivery and promotion of these products (Weedon, 2010).

Varied Perspectives on Non-Surgical Sterilization Methods:

There have been varied perspectives on the use of non-surgical sterilization of the dog since these products do not entirely solve the problem of the overpopulation of dogs and cats. Additionally, the varied perspectives and arguments on the use of these methods have also been due to the fact that some people don't care since they want to breed their animals. Given that there is no secure and effective non-surgical sterilization method of the dog that has been identified and announced, the varied perspectives have continued to increase. However, there have been various approaches to identify non-surgical products though none of the products have shown tremendous results to be widely adopted and implemented (Bowen, 2006).

One of the major perspectives has been against the non-surgical sterilization of the dog since the methods that have been explored have not only been ineffective but have also proven to have side-effects like the surgical methods. For instance, evaluation on the immunization against luteinizing hormone (LH) as a means of sterilization was only effective in some dogs. LH vaccines have however not been further pursued because the immunity obtained during the various evaluations were so variable. The effective contraception was also not achieved when a similar approach in immunization against gonadotrophin releasing hormone was evaluated. Furthermore, some research has revealed significant side-effects in the evaluation of the effectiveness of zona pellucida vaccine. These serious side-effects include the development of cystic ovaries after the zona pellucida vaccine was used in the treatment of dogs.

Conclusion:

As compared to the surgical sterilization of dogs, the discovery and use of an appropriate, efficient and non-surgical sterilization technique will have tremendous advantages since animals will be treated without being anaesthetized. In the control of the overpopulation of dogs, non-surgical sterilization will be much affordable and available across the globe unlike the surgical sterilization costs that are expensive. While some of the non-surgical sterilization methods on the dog have been ineffective and produced serious side-effects, surgical sterilization is considered as an intolerable violation of animal rights by some people.