Current and Proposed Research in Canine and Feline Non-surgical Sterilization

Introduction

Non-surgical contraception and sterilization of dogs and cats is a very active field of research. Techniques employed in this research are not those commonly used in small animal theriogenology and instead hail from oncology, molecular genetics, and other fields both in human and veterinary medicine. Much of the work that is being proposed is proprietary at this point and so cannot be discussed in detail. This review is a description of current research methodologies with some examples of specific research goals, to help practitioners and clinical theriogenologists better understand research as it is published. Few specific papers will be cited; the reader is referred to the website of the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs for proceedings of symposia with detailed information from specific researchers and descriptions of "think tanks" that have been held to address these methodologies and the larger issues of regulatory approval, manufacture, distribution, and marketing of non-surgical sterilants for dogs and cats.

Contraception is reversible control of reproduction and usually is the goal in human medicine. Sterilization is permanent cessation of reproduction and usually is the goal in small animal veterinary medicine. Associated with that complete cessation of fertility is decrease in reproductive physiology and behaviors that we, as a society, have deemed unacceptable in pets, including exudation of serosanguinous vulvar discharge associated with heat in bitches, yowling and lordosis in queens, mounting in stud dogs, and urine spraying in tom cats. Current research is geared toward identification of a sterilant product that is 100% effective at decreasing fertility for the reproductive life of the animal, that is completely safe to that animal and to other species that may encounter the compound, and that can be administered as a single application in the animal's life. Ideally, the product also would be applicable for use in male and female dogs and cats, would have a clear path to regulatory approval in the United States and other countries, would be economical to mass produce and distribute, and would be appealing to shelter officials, veterinarians, and pet owners as an alternative to surgical sterilization. [...]