Veterinary Highlights: Non-Surgical Sterilization

Multnomah County Animal Services has recently launched a trial using Zinc neutering, a new way of neutering male dogs.

Non-surgical castration?

The method consists of local injection a compound of zinc gluconate and arginine, which destroys sperm-producing cells without greatly impacting hormone levels. Proponents say it’s a much cheaper and less invasive alternative to surgery.

The compound was developed by Ark Sciences, dedicated to providing the least invasive, non-surgical sterilization processes possible.

Ark Sciences maintains that substituting one million surgical neuters with Zinc neutering could save animal-welfare groups $50 million that they can redirect towards public awareness or adoption efforts.

The compound is presently FDA approved for use in dogs between the ages of there and ten months old.

Is it better than typical neuter? It certainly has some strong points.

This method doesn't require anesthesia, has very fast recovery, and it preserves about 50% of sex hormone production (there are some emerging data showing health benefits of sex hormone preservation).

Source article:
Non-surgical sterilization method offers potential for neutering male dogs

Further reading:
Meet Joe. And get to know the word Esterilsol
Nonsurgical sterilization technique shows promise as safe, effective alternative to castration