An update: 10 months since the implant and pretty sure that the implant has mostly worn off as his plums are nearly back to full size. Effect is predicted based on evidence to last around 6 months, of course every dog is different. Our own personal experience is that the implant has helped enormously in helping to manage behaviours and prevent unwanted learned behaviours due to his adolescent testostorone surge. This calm window gave us a really good opportunity to focus on off lead behaviours and helped enormously in encouraging Benson to make good choices on walks. It really worked from that perspective, and this effect was noticeable immediately the implant took effect (and after the expected surge in the weeks post implant) We did reduce his food intake by about 25%, and switched to a lower fat content. He still gained approx 1kg overall, however this is perfectly normal weight range for his as he was still a young dog @18 months old. His weight has dropped down to 27.8kg, however he is now fractionally on the light side. Dog to dog interactions..less inclined to want to engage, if anything a slight hesitancy developed, very subtle. Still need to explore this in the next few months as his last interactions have been far more bold. Plan going forward. We seem to have managed this phase well, and I like him as he is. We do walk more in less dog populated areas, and as his recall/stop are fine, we will see how the next few months go. He is more sniffy, however we shall just up the ante on his training and rewards, I just don't think a bit of deep sniffing here and there is a problem. Will leave things as they are for now. We have got a couple of months booked of intensive training for him and I think in April we will make our decision. We do have a little addition to our family, Bramble which might make things quite interesting going forward. I must admit to being far more inclined to opt for an early spay at this point in time.
I'm sure you'll do all your research and choose the right thing for Bramble. I read as much as I could and came to the conclusion that an early spay for Willow was the best thing for us at the time. I do wonder, though, if it had any influence as far as her fearfulness to certain loud noises (gun shot, now avalanche blasting). Given the choice again, I think I'd consider bunking one of them with a friend during the first season, and spaying after that. I know people do successfully manage a bitch in season and entire dogs in the same home, but I don't have the space for that, and it would also depend on how the scent affected the male(s).
I do have my mum and stepfather, really dog savvy, they live 2 mins in the next village. They have offered to take Bramble during her first season if necessary. That means I can pop over and walk her. My stepdad comes over once a week and takes Benson on a 2 hour hike on a Sunday morning, then all the dogs (and us..) have a huge cooked breakfast!
Oh boy has his plums grown back! And his behaviour also has changed. Far more driven, that is very evident. Keeness to meet other dogs, and quite distracted. Luckily we have invested a LOT in his training, however you can see very clearly the effect of his testosterone. Interestingly in the last month or so he has put on 2kgs in weight..of pure muscle. We didn't expect that, and judging by previous users expected him to lose a bit of weight. Of course it could simply be he is maturing. The change in appearance is quite marked though over the last 6 weeks, of course he dd blow out on 3kg of puppy food in one sitting not so long ago! Not an ounce of fat, he is in really beautiful condition. We have been at the vet today, for a pre-castration visit, where they suggested another suprelorin implant as there was absolutely no side effects. Then we will probably castrate. We can't right now having invested in 2 hours intensive gundog training and obedience training over the next month, plus the boys are booked into kennels in a couple of weeks, so the timing not particularly good.
Well, you have been really conscientious in researching this, and knowing it is the right thing for Benson, Kate. Has been really interesting reading this. Poor boy - hope he enjoys his training
Can Suprelorin be used long term, like for life? You have probably answered that question somewhere else already, sorry
I do like how you have researched the best thing for your dog, Kate. Also interested in the relative risks of long term suprelorin use vs surgery.
