Canine immunocastration development has been of interest for many years as a complementary strategy to surgical castration. The purpose of this paper was to verify the effect of a recombinant vaccine for dog immunocastration. Two tests were done, one under controlled conditions and a second under field conditions. Animals were injected with 1 mL of 500 µg GnRXG/Q recombinant protein; 500 µg of low molecular weight chitosan as adjuvant; 1 mL NaCl 0.9% q.s. In the first trial, eight Beagle male dogs between the ages of 1 and 3 comprised the sample, randomly divided into two groups: vaccinated group (n = 7) and control group (n = 2). The second trial had 32 dogs with owners. In the first controlled conditions trial, the vaccine produced specific antibodies that remained until the end of the trial (day 270), inducing reduced testosterone and spermiogram changes in the immunized animals. In a second trial, on the field, specific immunity was induced, which remained high up to day 150. The vaccine also reduced sexual agonistic and marking behaviors. This new vaccine proved to be safe, immunogenic, capable of reducing gonadal functionality, and had a positive effect on inducing reduced sexual, agonistic, and marking behavior of the animals.

Dog overpopulation poses serious challenges to public health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. While surgical castration remains the most commonly used method for controlling reproduction in dogs, it carries risks and limitations, including surgical complications and long-term behavioral or physiological side effects. This review examines the potential of immunocastration—vaccination targeting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)—as an alternative approach. Immunocastration has been shown to suppress reproductive hormones, reduce gonadal function, and decrease behaviors such as roaming, aggression, and sexual mounting in dogs. The review also includes evidence from other species (e.g., pigs, cattle, and horses) to contextualize effectiveness and welfare implications. While behavioral effects are more variable and less frequently studied than physiological outcomes, recent findings suggest immunocastration may have fewer negative emotional side effects (e.g., anxiety and stress-related behaviors) than surgical sterilization. The review highlights the mechanisms, applications, and behavioral outcomes of immunocastration, including its reversibility, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for mass implementation. Overall, immunocastration offers a promising addition to dog population management strategies, particularly in regions with limited surgical infrastructure. Future research should focus on standardizing vaccine protocols and assessing long-term behavioral and welfare outcomes in diverse dog populations.

Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of compassion fatigue in Chilean small animal veterinarians and its relationship with years of practice, euthanasia frequency, and personality profiles. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during October and December 2022 using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale and the Dominance, Influence, Stability, and Conscientiousness personality test. Questionnaires were distributed to registered veterinarians (n = 20,000) via email and social media, with inclusion criteria of ≥ 25 h/wk in a small animal practice. Statistical analyses included χ ² test, ANOVA, t tests, z tests, and Pearson correlations. Results: A total of 197 veterinarians responded. All showed medium, high, or severe compassion fatigue. Of these, 179 (90.1%) had moderate-to-severe fatigue, with mean ± SD Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale scores of 62.9 ± 8.7 for severe (n = 141), 45.8 ± 1.3 for high (19), and 41.3 ± 1.5 for moderate (19). No significant differences were observed by gender. The most common Dominance, Influence, Stability, and Conscientiousness profile was perfectionist (n = 80 [40.6%]), which showed weak or no correlation with fatigue ( r = –0.14 to 0.11). Years of practice and euthanasia frequency were also unrelated to fatigue severity. Conclusions: Compassion fatigue is highly prevalent among Chilean small animal veterinarians, independent of gender, personality profile, or clinical experience. Clinical Relevance: The findings highlight the urgent need for proactive interventions to preserve veterinary well-being. Strategies include resilience and business training during veterinary education, emotional competency development, and workplace policies promoting mental health and work-life balance, all essential for ensuring sustainable and healthy veterinary practice.

We developed an ethogram of Conepatus chinga (South American hog-nosed skunk, chingue) from the continuous monitoring of a captive individual, with environmental enrichment, at a wildlife rehabilitation center in the O’Higgins Region, Chile. Using video camera traps, 17 days (408 h) of its activity were recorded, allowing us to identify daily activity patterns and times of exploration, locomotion, feeding, shelter use, and other relevant behaviors. The individual displayed a constant nocturnal activity pattern, starting around 9:00 P.M. and finishing at 5:00 A.M. The most frequent behaviors were walking and sniffing, evidencing active exploration guided by smell. No hunting/scavenging attempts were observed under these husbandry conditions. The primary refuge used was a small tunnel (approximately 30 cm deep) excavated under a wooden pallet covered with tree branches, which is consistent with refuges reported in wildlife. No visible defecation, urination, or musk release was recorded in the camera-trap footage. Given the limited observation coverage, we cannot determine whether these behaviors did not occur or occurred outside the recorded field of view. This study provides behavioral information and a descriptive baseline for this individual, including a pilot ethogram useful for research and captive management.

The relationship between people and their dogs can play a meaningful role in emotional support and psychological well-being, especially during university years. However, there are few validated instruments available for assessing the human–dog bond in Latin American populations. The present study sought to adapt and evaluate the Mexican version of the Monash Dog–Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS-M) for use with Chilean university students and also explore demographic and living arrangement factors associated with the strength of this relationship. A total of 312 undergraduate students who owned at least one dog participated in the study. The psychometric evaluation was conducted in two phases. First, the original 28-item MDORS-M was examined through exploratory factor analysis. Two items belonging to the Dog–Owner Interaction dimension showed substantial overlap with other factors and were therefore removed. A second exploratory factor analysis supported a revised 26-item version, referred to as the MDORS-CL26, which retained the scale’s three underlying dimensions: Dog–Owner Interaction, Emotional Closeness, and Perceived Costs. The resulting instrument showed strong reliability and internal consistency. Overall reliability indices were high (Cronbach’s α = 0.87; McDonald’s ω = 0.89), while reliability estimates for the individual subscales ranged from 0.77 to 0.90. Item-level analyses indicated that all remaining items contributed to their respective dimensions and should be retained. Confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the proposed three-factor structure, with all item–factor associations reaching statistical significance. Participants reported strong emotional connections with their dogs as more than nine out of ten students (92.3%) scored highly on Emotional Closeness, while nearly two-thirds (64.4%) reported moderate levels of Dog–Owner Interaction. In contrast, perceptions of the costs or burdens associated with dog ownership were comparatively low (56.1%). Female students tended to report stronger emotional bonds and more frequent interactions with their dogs than male students, although perceptions of cost of ownership were similar across groups. In addition, students whose dogs lived primarily indoors and those who shared the bedrooms, reported stronger and more positive relationship scores. The study contributes to the currently expanding body of anthrozoological research emerging from the Global South.