Hi
I've suddenly realised it's a bit late to phone my vet, and will do so tomorrow, but wondered if anyone can give me an idea of the cost of having the Tardac injection, how long it takes to see any benefit (if you're going to see any) and how long it lasts.
Many thanks

whats it exactly for?

It's a temporary chemical 'castration' - it's generally given to see if surgical castration will solve the behavioural problem a dog might be exhibiting, or whether the male hormones are beneficial to the dog.

We use it on one of our dogs now when bitches are in season.  We have never had problems in the past but last season time we had two fights between the two males.  (one only my brother was home, 2nd one was my fault it started) anyway because he was getting so arsy we got him given the tardac and it really calmed him down.  As soon as its season again we shall have him given targac again.

My Male Leonberger had this and was really depressed after having it done.

I have also had a dog who became more aggressive after a tardac injection. A friend of mine's dog also had a bad reaction to tardac, becoming depressed and aggressive with other dogs, so she did some research on it. She found that tardac is in fact a progesterone injection - so introduces a female hormone rather than removing a male hormone. Apparently progesterone increases production of another hormone which in turn reduces levels of seratonin - and low levels of seratonin are associated with depression, aggressive behaviour and reduced bite inhibition. Removing testosterone in fact has the opposite effect and increases seratonin levels.

Of course it won't affect all dogs badly but in spite of what vets say (we were both told it couldn't possibly be related to the tardac) I do think it affects some dogs in this way.

Janet

I know the feeling about the dog being depressed, I have had my 2yr old GSD done with the tardac, he is not himself at all, how long does it take to get out of his system.

Thanks.  It's for and intact male who I strongly suspect may have mated in one of his previous homes.  He's never shown agression to other dogs, has the sweetest nature, is absolutely fine with my intact male, but has only one thing on his mind when we are out and will try to hump any bitch or even neutered male while out and constant drooling if he picks up a scent.