URBANA, Ill. (WAND) — "Currently, all the animals are sterilized by surgery, which is invasive. I wanted to develop a new method that does not require surgery," said Doctor Jay Ko, a professor at the University of Illinois Veterinary School. 

He has spent roughly a decade working on a less expensive new technique to sterilize pets without anesthesia. He joined the U of I campus in 2011, working as a reproductive endocrinologist.

Ko founded Epivara; a way to sterilize pets without harming reproductive organs. Using two different injections, iSpay and iNeuter, the medicine stops reproductive behavior right at the brain. Doctor Ko explained, it's a tiny pellet injected into the skin that dissolves into the body in the months after a kitten or puppy is born.

"It takes many years for them to become sexually active. So there is a window of time we can start," Ko said.

The noninvasive way to spay and neuter pets is intended to have both a positive impact on veterinarians as well as pet owners. Puppies and kittens would take less time recovering from surgeries, and vet techs could limit these procedures on reproductive organs. 

Ko also is excited to see the growth in his students, the next generation of veterinarians. 

"My role as a professor is to generate ideas. I see in the future my students. If they don't have to spend time doing unnecessary surgeries, they can devote their time for rehabilitating sick animals. This will bring changes in veterinary practice," said Ko.

Epivara is still waiting for approval from the CDC and FDA. Ko is hopeful that iSpay will be accessible in 2028, and iNeuter will be accessible in 2030.

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