NeuterNow
For data-driven management of sterilisation to positively impact long-term animal health.
When is the best time to neuter?
It is a question that veterinarians may hear daily.
Globally, over 100 million dogs are neutered or spayed without being assessed for maturity. Pet parents want to ensure their pets are as healthy as possible for as long as possible, and will spend countless hours planning diet, exercise, enrichment, and health services. When pet parents ask their veterinarian ‘when is the best time to neuter’ they expect a data-driven recommendation, but current neutering practices fall short.
Veterinarians are often asked the question of ‘when is the best time to neuter’, with increasing reports and publications emerging that detail the impact that early neutering can have on pets long-term health. Premature neutering can lead to a lifetime of health issues due to the impact of early neutering on hormones. Changes in hormones due to early neutering can impact on brain, blood & heart health, the thyroid and immune system, kidney & urinary function, and a pets muscle development and weight.
Hormones matter, yet veterinarians have no tools to accurately test for maturity. Existing tests are not sensitive enough to give clear answers on pet maturity, with a need to send samples to high-cost specialty labs with specialised equipment. As a result, these tests are not offered routinely to pet parents.
The current reality is that:
- Prepubertal sterilisation can negatively impact long-term animal health.
- Dogs that are neutered or spayed without being assessed for maturity can be at risk of a lifetime of health issues.
- Dogs mature at different times, and current neuter guidelines are broad and unable to determine if your dog is ready for neutering.
With NeuterNow, neutering is no longer ‘one-size-fits-all’.
InsituGen’s patented NeuterNow test changes everything, providing clarity and confidence on when an animal is mature, and when it’s the right time to neuter to prevent complications from early neutering.
NeuterNow is accurate, clearly differentiating between puppies and adults defining sexual maturity. NeuterNow is simple, completed at InsituGen’s Dunedin laboratory.
NeuterNow will provide measurable data to confirm maturity and support sterilisation decisions based on existing recommendations and veterinarian knowledge.
How does it work?
NeuterNow replicates the biological signalling pathways of steroid hormone receptors. Using synthetic biology to create a novel in vitro detection mechanism.
The technology is sensitive at low concentrations, and shows significant separation between adult and puppy testosterone equivalent concentrations. A more sensitive and complete view of circulating hormone bioactivity than any other method currently available.
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Implementing NeuterNow in your clinic.
InsituGen is pleased to offer NeuterNow as a third-party testing service, at an approachable introductory price-point, for veterinary clinics throughout New Zealand.
Currently NeuterNow is available to screen male dogs that are being considered for surgical sterilisation/neutering.
We’re also interested in hearing from veterinarians interested in monitoring chemical sterilisation, and those interested in screening female dogs being considered for spaying, and post-spay checks for estrogen levels.
Download the form below, or contact us to set up your clinic to use NeuterNow in support of your sterilisation decisions.
Each NeuterNow test for an animal requires a single blood plasma sample to be sent to our Dunedin Laboratory, with results delivered in a timey manner to inform sterilisation decisions.
See below for the complete testing process, or contact us for more information and assistance.
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The NeuterNow process – for Veterinarians
NeuterNow is intended to provide veterinarians data on dogs prior to neutering. There are no age, size, or breed requirements. Currently NeuterNow is available to screen male dogs that are being considered for surgical sterilisation/neutering.
If your clinic has not already set up an account with InsituGen, please download the New Customer Form and return to InsituGen: New Customer Form (pdf)
The detailed process below can be downloaded as a printable document here: NeuterNow process (pdf)
Step 1: Complete sample form with Veterinarian and Animal details: NeuterNow sample form (pdf)
Step 2: Collect the plasma sample from the animal to be tested.
- Obtain a 1ml whole blood sample, collected in a glass or plastic tube
- Ensure the tube contains heparin as the anti-coagulant. This is typically a green top tube. Please ensure EDTA is not used.
- Separate the whole blood via centrifugation to obtain the plasma fraction. The plasma fraction will be approximately ~0.5 ml for a 1 ml whole blood sample. Follow existing separation techniques as used in your clinic (e.g. centrifuge at 1000 x g for 10 minutes)
- Transfer this plasma fraction to a clean sample tube using a clean pipette
- Close the tube tightly, or seal with parafilm
- Label the tube with identifiable information – e.g. veterinarian, animal, and clinic reference.
- Samples should be kept chilled (3-10°C) before sending via courier at room/ambient temperatures.
Step 3: Send the labelled tube containing the plasma to be tested in a sealed package via courier (for address details see sample form or process form).
Step 4: Return the completed sample form via email, and/or include with the sample package.
We will return a report on sample androgen bioactivity within 2-7 days after sample receipt.
CONTACT US TO EXPLORE NEUTERNOWDownloads
For new clinic customers: New Customer Form (pdf)
Printable process for sample submission: NeuterNow process (pdf)
Sample form for each animal to be tested: NeuterNow sample form (pdf)
Information flyer – for Veterinarians: Veterinarian information sheet (pdf)
Information flyer – for pet owners: Owner information sheet (pdf)