Hormonal Sterilization: Non-Surgical/Reversible

Seminar Topic

Hormonal Sterilization: Non-Surgical/Reversible

There are many reasons a breeder or dog owner would want to render a dog infertile, but avoid surgery. In some cases, there may be a desire to retain fertility in the future, but definitely not now, so some sort of reversible option is desired. In other cases, surgery simply isn’t a good option for a particular dog because of age or health conditions. You might also recognize that removing the gonads is not without risks and side effects and you want to avoid those. Or maybe your dog is healthy, but you just don’t want to put it through an “elective” surgery. There are some non-surgical options to spaying and neutering. Some of them are also reversible. Dr. Christensen will discuss these options and answer your questions so that you can understand what might work best for you and your dog.

Theriogenology is an exceedingly specialized field, with fewer than 400 board-certified theriogenologists worldwide. Dr. Christensen is a respected authority within this elite cohort and among the canine breeder industry, recognized for his clinical expertise and his academic achievements. He’s received numerous awards and honors, authored dozens of articles in peer-reviewed veterinary research journals, trained hundreds of veterinarians and veterinary students, and has served in professional specialty organizations.

Dr. Christensen founded Kokopelli in 2017, giving the Northern California breeder community a level of specialized knowledge and skill in assisted reproduction that was previously unavailable in this region.

“We understand the canine and equine reproductive systems from a cellular level on up,” he says. “I believe that if Kokopelli can’t get puppies or foals for you, no one can. And we don’t just produce puppies and foals; we also help improve our clients’ programs so that they’re breeding healthier dogs and horses.”

Prior to founding Kokopelli, Dr. Christensen held posts as senior veterinarian at an Australian equine hospital and clinician at large- and small-animal hospitals at the University of Florida. On the academic side, he has served as an assistant professor at both UC Davis and Iowa State University, and is currently an honorary professor at the Veterinary University in Budapest, Hungary.

He received his DVM degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, completed his residency in theriogenology at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and became a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists in 2006. He earned a Master of Science degree in reproductive physiology from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and his undergraduate degree in conservation/wildlife biology from Brigham Young University.