Chile-launches-vaccine-that-neuters-dogs-for-a-year

Alliance for (NONsurgical) Contraception in Cats and Dogs   ACCD

"Exciting news in the world of non-surgical birth control for dogs: Egalitte is a new, injectable dog contraceptive developed in Chile. It is currently only available in that country. It is reported to suppress fertility and hormone-driven sexual behaviors in both male and female dogs for one year.

The labeling states that the product requires an initial injection, followed by one-month booster; after that, it needs to be administered once annually to maintain effectiveness. Each injection costs the equivalent of ~$54 USD.

Egalitte is a GnRH vaccine. GnRH, sometimes called the body’s “master hormone,” helps control reproduction processes in both male and female mammals. A GnRH vaccine is an immunocontraceptive, which means that it triggers the creation of antibodies that bind to GnRH, preventing it from interacting with its receptor on the pituitary gland. This, in turn, prevents the production of the hormone, which renders an animal infertile. GnRH vaccines under the brand names GonaCon and Improvest are currently used in different species such as wild horses, wild burros, white-tailed deer, and male pigs. However, prior to Egalitte being introduced to the market, there was not a currently available version for dogs.

Egalitte’s website indicates that they are conducting trials in cats, though it does not specify when a feline version of their product might be available. They also share that they plan to seek approval for their dog product in additional countries, and that it is currently patented in 40 countries (though it does not specify which ones).

Due to Egalitte's temporary effectiveness and requirement of multiple injections, ACC&D does not currently envision the product being a viable solution for most free-roaming animals, but it could be an effective way to contracept animals awaiting spay/neuter appointments, or for animals that are unable to safely undergo surgery."