Neuticles

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Buck the Bloodhound with Greg Miller, inventor

Neuticles are prosthetic testicular implants for neutered dogs and other domestic animals. Creator Gregg Miller has recently won the Ig Nobel Prize, a parody of the genuine Nobel Prizes, for medicine for this invention. Miller has sold more than 150,000 of this product.

Miller thought of Neuticles in 1993 when his Bloodhound named Buck disappeared and was located days later over 20 miles away. Buck had picked up the scent of a female dog in heat. "It was either neuter Buck or go through the nightmare of him taking off again and the next time I most likely wouldn't find him."

He asked his Missouri veterinarian if implants were available so Buck would look the same as before being altered. Dr RD Holder of the Independence Animal Hospital in Independence, MO remarked, "I've been a vet for over 45 years and no one has asked for such a thing."

Miller discounted the idea and termed himself a "neurotic pet owner". A week later when Buck went back to have his stitches removed Dr Holder brought up the idea to Miller. "The more you think about implants for pets the more sense it makes," Dr Holder told Miller. This convinced Miller decided to start development.

Two years later the first commercially Neuticled pet was implanted. Worldwide publicity followed and interest continues to this day. According to their wesbite, over 100,000 pets have received Neutical implants since they became available in 1995. Neuticals are made from FDA medically approved materials and are crafted to replicate the weight and feel of the animal's natural testicle. They are made of solid silicone and are not gel-filled and therefore cannot leak. ^[1]

Miller says. "Neutering is traumatic. It's traumatic for the pet and for the pet's owner." Until Neuticles were invented pet owners had no options. Miller maintains "With Neuticles it's like nothing ever changed and this is important to caring pet owners."

Miller has recently written a book which details how Neuticles were invented. Entitled Going Going NUTS! the book was published by Publish America. His company's newest product is an eye implant for pets who have lost an eye ^[2]. They are available in sizes suitable for dogs, cats and horses.

Miller and Neuticles were featured on an episode of the Penn & Teller series Bullshit! which featured the extremes people will go to in order to pamper their pets.