Many methods of contraception help modern women avoid an unwanted pregnancy, but what about the situation of our smaller brothers? Owners of males are most often concerned only with the fact that their pets run away from home under the influence of instinct and stop listening to the owner, the situation with bitches is much more complicated. Puppies after feeding should be raised, raised and attached. Nobody wants to get rid of them by inhuman methods, or simply throw them out into the street, producing swarms of stray animals.
So are there birth control pills for dogs, or are castration and sterilization the only ways to guarantee your pet’s offspring?
Types of contraception
Surgical solution to the problem is often impossible due to the health of the pet or, if the owner wants, in the future to do dog breeding. For such cases, there are several options for contraception:
- in the form of injections;
- pills
- drops.
Injections
The advantage of this method is that the duration of the injection will be maximum. After the first injection of the drug, pregnancy is not guaranteed to occur within 3 months. After repeated injection, the duration of action increases to 5 months, and the third injection prolongs the effect for 6-12 months. With regular subsequent injections every 0.5-1 year, sexual desire is completely stopped.
The duration of action depends on the choice of the drug, the dosage is calculated based on the weight of the animal and only a veterinarian can make an injection. A mandatory visit to the clinic is considered a minus, because not everyone has the time and money.
Tablets
Birth control pills for dogs can only be given to a healthy animal. Before you start taking them, you should definitely consult with your veterinarian, but you can give pills yourself at home.
Absolutely all drugs are hormonal, so between their doses you must definitely take breaks. Birth control pills for dogs should not be given more than three leaks in a row. After this, you need to pause at least 2 estrus, after which you can again use the drug to avoid unwanted offspring.
Types of drugs
Often, birth control pills for dogs include drugs that simply change the behavior of the animal during estrus and eliminate sexual desire. In this case, only drowning out the desire of the bitch helps to avoid pregnancy, such means have no relation to contraceptives.
Birth control pills for dogs during sex drive, which can stop estrus, are also not true contraceptives. They are often used when necessary to transport the animal and reassure it before exhibitions or for other good reasons. The most commonly used drugs are Kontrik and Pillkan 5, but the veterinarian may recommend another drug, depending on the characteristics of the animal. The negative side of such drugs is an impressive list of possible side effects, but experts argue that if the dosages are followed, they are easy to avoid.
The birth control pills for dogs “EX-5”, “Prohexin”, “Sex Barrier”, “Messalin”, “Pillcan 5” in a certain dosage are considered to be direct contraceptives. Some veterinarians recommend the use of drugs designed for people. Such medications can prevent sperm from entering the egg or terminate an already begun pregnancy in the first days after the act. Dog birth control pills also eliminate the symptoms of false stiffness and pseudolactation in bitches.
They can be given with food or on their own, but always in the dosage recommended by the doctor. If the animal does not swallow part of the drug, then the corresponding effect should not be expected.
Contraindications
Any chemical contraceptives, including tablets, are not recommended for bitches in the first heat. In young dogs, this can provoke serious further problems of the reproductive system.
In addition, birth control pills are prohibited for dogs with diabetes, tumors and any uterine pathologies.
Giving animals animals during lactation or pregnancy for a long time is also prohibited.
If there are seals in the mammary glands, bitches should first consult a veterinarian, indicating a problem.
More than three times in a row, giving tablets is strictly prohibited. If offspring are undesirable at all, it is best to sterilize the animal immediately.
Other forms of release
In the form of drops, contraceptives are given to the animal along with food or dripped onto the root of the tongue. They are designed to interrupt estrus and control the behavior of the animal. They differ from tablets only in the form of release, therefore, they are often found under the same names.
You can also find drugs in the form of sugar cubes on sale. Such a delicacy will even be eaten by a spoiled animal with great pleasure and in the right quantity, so dog owners choose them most often. The downside is the cost of contraceptives compared with other oral forms of release.
Conclusion
Loyal contraceptive non-hormonal drugs have not yet been invented. Absolutely all drugs are available on the basis of hormones in a variety of forms. The advantage of such contraceptives is the rapid reversibility of the action. That is, if the pregnancy of a bitch is not desirable only in a certain period, but in the future the owner plans to breed her, the tablets will be most acceptable, because after a while the dog will be able to become pregnant again and give birth to completely healthy puppies.
As for the time of administration, sedatives should be given to the animal from the first day of estrus. Hormonal birth control pills for dogs during estrus can not be used immediately, but only from 2-3 days. As for injections, an appointment with the veterinarian should be made approximately a month before the start of the next cycle. If estrus begins before the veterinarian examines the animal, then the injection will have to be rescheduled the next time.
If offspring from a dog is generally undesirable, then it is better to sterilize the bitch at 8-10 months or castrate the male at 7-12 months.