In Esterilsol™: The New Neuter, Part 1, non-surgical sterilization, its benefits in terms of a dog’s health, and the cost benefits for the rescue community was introduced by Joe Tosini, CEO of Ark Sciences, makers of Esterilsol™. Today, I’d like to introduce you to somebody who doesn’t work for the company.

MEET DR. WEEDON

On March 31, Dr. G. Robert Weedon, DVM, MPH, said to rescue organization representatives attending an ACES workshop at the Helen Woodward Animal Center, “I have personal experience with Esterilsol™ and I would personally like to see it used in shelters here in the United States. Why?”

The short answer is that he believes chemical castration is more healthful for dogs than surgical castration. He offers specifics on the injection procedure as compared with surgical sterilization as well as the cost and time benefit for rescue organizations. Ultimately, he stresses the importance of evidence-based decision making, outlining compelling statistics in favor of Esterilsol™  in the face of traditional beliefs.

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THE PROBLEM: ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION

Nearly 4 million healthy and adoptable animals are destroyed annually in America, a fact that makes me sick to my soul. While surgical spay/neuter programs have successfully reduced needless deaths over the past decade, these procedures are often quite expensive. Rescue organizations who handle countless unaltered strays and surrenders bear significant financial burden and, while low-cost programs exist, they are spread too few and far between.

So, what else is there?

COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION: NON-SURGICAL STERILANT

I recently learned of a small injection called Esterilsol™ that neuters dogs for a fraction of the cost. It eliminates the need for an operating room, veterinarian (although it must be administered under a vet’s supervision), support staff, anesthesia and sutures. Male dogs, after a little Benadryl®, receive 1 small injection in each testicle and are immediately up and around. The cost of Esterilsol™? Likely between $4 and $10 per neuter, based on testicular width. The value of saving lives, of course, is priceless.

A HEALTHY SOLUTION

We so often hear the health benefits of surgical castration, which nearly eliminates testosterone. While there are benefits, I was shocked to learn that complete elimination of testosterone actually has a negative impact on the health of a dog’s skin, heart, prostate, liver, skeletal, immune and other systems/organs as cited in a 2007 study by Laura J. Sanborn called Long Term Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay Neuter in Dogs. Of course, the importance of hormonal balance makes sense. We’ve simply been taught to ignore it with no alternate neuter option in place. With Esterilsol™, testosterone levels decrease but not entirely, offering healthful benefits that surgical neuters cannot.

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