Contraceptive implants effective for six months are available. They do not require surgery with anaesthesia, but they still require animals to be handled for implant insertion. Nonetheless, this is a step in the direction toward completely nonsurgical contraception. These implants have recently been used successfully in dogs in Canadian communities far from veterinary services.
ACCD News letter Summer 2024 “Extreme Weather, Remote Location, No Vets?
Contraceptive Implants Offer Hope in Remote Locations
Providing veterinary care in remote areas comes with many challenges, and providing sterilization services can be particularly difficult. Dr. Gina Bowen, Director of Veterinary Services at the Winnipeg Humane Society, has found that contraceptive implants are becoming an important part of caring for animals and communities in northern Manitoba, an area she also serves. "Over the last 5 years, we've treated around 400 dogs in the area with Suprelorin contraceptive implants" says Dr. Bowen, “and this approach provides us several key benefits.”
Overcoming the Challenges of Northern Canada
Accessing remote northern regions of Canada is expensive and logistically complicated. Simply getting veterinary staff and equipment to these areas requires significant effort and cost. The extreme climate also creates barriers: hot summers and freezing winters make surgical recovery challenging for free-roaming dogs without regular shelter. Also, in areas where food and other resources can be scarce, dogs are more likely to be malnourished, or to have injuries from fights or accidents, and these factors complicate potential surgery.
There are also cultural challenges. Pet ownership norms in Northern Canada often differ from what is common in southern Canada or in many parts of the United States; dogs often roam freely, sometimes without a single, dedicated owner. In some places, there are also cultural reservations about permanently removing an animal's reproductive organs…”