What is your opinion of the new shot that can be used to neuter dogs? I prefer to avoid surgery if possible but want to know if this drug would be as effective as surgery.

The medication Neutersol recently was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a nonsurgical way to neuter puppies. The medication is injected into the testicles in a small needle. Neutersol is said to be 99.6 percent effective for sterilization. During testing, puppies ages 3 to 10 months were injected with Neutersol.

Physical exams were conducted at three days, two months and six months post-injection. Mild, temporary swelling of the testicles was an expected reaction to the injection noticed within 24 to 48 hours after injection.

I believe many puppies will require chemical sedation to minimize trauma to the testicles during the injection. By leaving the testicles in the puppy there is a risk of prostate and testicular disease later in life. By removing the testicles during surgical neutering, we can avoid future disease in most cases. I am still recommending surgical neutering.