Suprelorin, or deslorelin, is a long acting implant used in avian medicine primarily in female birds to down regulate hormonal cycling, oviduct growth and egg production. It is sometimes used to assist in suppressing hormone based behavioural issues, as well as for chemotherapy purposes for male birds with testicular tumours. It is a product registered for dogs, thus, we use it in birds “off label”. Once implanted, it continuously releases a small amount of a reproductive signalling precursor hormone.  

 

Where and how is it implanted? 

It is implanted either under the bird’s skin over the breast muscle or between the shoulder blades. A brief general anaesthetic is often required to facilitate this placement in small birds. Larger birds, such as chickens, can have this placed during a consultation, without a need for an anaesthetic.  
 
What happens next? 
Following an implant, in chickens, it is common to observe their comb and wattle reducing in size. Most species of birds will undergo a heavy moult a few weeks after the implant has been placed. 

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For more information, or if your bird is a particularly good layer, please book an appointment.