Raising Awareness of Canine Hormone Health or Advocating for Hormone-Sparing Solutions
It’s been four months since I started Pax on hormone replacement therapy, and it’s time for another update. If you missed the previous ones, here is a brief recap:
Pax grew up to be a healthy and strong puppy, and I thought I had natural health nutrition dialed in. However, life always has something new to teach us about dogs, especially when we “should know everything”.
As a service dog for my sleepwalking, Pax had to be neutered to be officially certified.
After six months, he started to get injured, which I now know was due to the lack of testosterone and associated muscle loss.
It took me several very frustrating years to figure this out. I was worried and knew there was a missing piece of the puzzle.
But I’m not giving up!
After relentless searching, I found the research of two wonderful colleagues, specialists, and scientists, Dr. Linda Brent, PhD, MBA, MS, BS and Dr. Michelle Kutzler, DVM, PhD, DACT and everything clicked!
Pax was injured as a result of not having testosterone, which we now know is essential to the muscular-skeletal health of male dogs.
Thanks to the help and support of my dear colleagues, I got all the necessary information and started Pax on hormone replacement therapy.
How is sex hormone replacement therapy performed in dogs?
The treatment consists of a tiny microchip-sized implant of Suprelorin (deslorelin) that lowers unnatural levels of LH (luteinizing hormone), which are elevated in all neutered and spayed animals. High levels lead to inflammation and a tendency to injuries.
After a month of deslorelin, I started Pax with testosterone, added JointButter advanced mobility support, and regular laser treatments.
Here’s a timeline of the progression and what you can expect if your dog undergoes conventional spay and neuter decline and you decide on hormone replacement therapy:
PHASE 1: Pax Receives Suprelorin (March)
I noticed an almost immediate change in his behavior. The first day, he slept like he ran a marathon, but the next day, he was brighter, more alert, and happier. However, I noticed that he was itchy, his coat became rough, and he shed a lot.
PHASE 2: Pax begins receiving weekly subcutaneous injections of testosterone cypionate (April)
As some sources suggest monthly injections of 2mg/kg, I started Pax 0.5 mg/kg weekly under the skin (SQ). Based on the research done by Dr. Kutzler and Dr. Brent, male dogs do better with smaller, more frequent doses to avoid severe hormone fluctuations.
Almost immediately, the itching stopped, and his skin no longer “twitched” on his spine, which often accompanies para-spinal muscle strain and swelling.
He began to gain muscle, and the change was very noticeable for four weeks.
Unfortunately, at this point, Pax continues to limp over and over with a limp from one hind leg to the other. still me very worried.
PHASE 3: We started Pax on JointButter and laser therapy (May)
During the first three weeks of laser treatment and daily JointButter dose, we began to see changes in the level of muscle and joint inflammation from his sacral-lumbar and iliac-sacral area (the hip region) to his legs, heels, and feet to one day, he stopped moving!
It took three years (!!!) to find a solution; imagine how excited we are! Pax is happy and running, and while I’m still cautious, he appears to be fully recovered, which makes me happy and grateful.
What next?
There is an issue we need to resolve!
For decades, we’ve been unknowingly causing harm by throwing off our dogs’ hormones lead to many health issues. I just wonder how many dogs are affected by the same problems as Pax, I feel like I have no choice but to sound the alarm!
What problems does this issue cause?
Based on research, a lack of sex hormones in dogs can affect muscles and joints, lead to cruciate ligament tears, thyroid gland dysfunction, organ failure, fear, and aggression (due to brain inflammation), and increase incidence of certain types of cancer. , such as lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma and osteosarcoma.
How can we stop this from continuing?
As a community, we need to promote hormone-sparing sterilization and let people know that conventional methods of neutering and spaying are no longer acceptable methods of preventing dog homelessness.
About a month ago, I met with Dr. Michelle Kutzler and Dr. Linda Brent and decided to organize an information campaign to bring about the necessary change.
We now need some amazing volunteers to help us raise funds and get organized for the most important impact so we can prevent more dogs from being affected by a lack of vital sex hormones.
If you want to contribute to this mission, please press here to tell us what skills you want to offer, or if you want to contribute financially to the campaign.
If you suspect that your dog is affected by a lack of hormones, send us an email at [email protected] to share your dog’s story.
Tens of thousands of dogs are neutered and spayed conventionally everydayand suffer from the consequences of a lack of hormones.
I Really we believe we can change this with you and all open vets out there.
Our dogs need our protection to live many happy and healthy years by our side.
Thank you for considering being part of the solution.
