Neuticles are prosthetic testicular implants for neutered dogs and other domestic animals. Creator Gregg Miller won the 2005 Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine, a parody of the real Nobel Prize, for his invention.[1][2] As of September 2007, more than 240,000 pairs of the patented product had been sold, in all 50 U.S. states and 49 countries.[3]
Miller developed the idea for Neuticles in 1993, after his bloodhound Buck caught the scent of a bitch in heat, disappeared and turned up days later 30 miles away. Miller had Buck neutered to stop his wandering. Following the procedure, when Buck went to clean himself, he realized something was wrong and acted "extremely depressed" for three days.[4]
The first commercial Neuticles were implanted in 1995. Neuticles are made from Food and Drug Administration–approved materials and are designed to replicate the weight and feel of the animal's natural testicles. They are made of solid silicone and are not gel-filled and therefore cannot leak.[5]
Several companies have tried to copy the patented prosthetic. In a June 2000 press release, CTI Corporation, which manufactures Neuticles, cited an investigation revealing that companies in New York and California were pirating Neuticles. CTI warned of health risks to the animals getting the pirate product and reminded the public of the years of research that went into the product's creation and the development of the surgical technique used to implant them.[6]
Neuticles have been endorsed by a number of national, state, and regional humane societies, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). "Who can argue with a perfectly safe surgical procedure that encourages pet owners to neuter?" (ASPCA Animal Watch Spring, 1997) The Spay/Neuter Incentive Project & Sanctuary praises Neuticles as eliminating one of the last reasons people are reluctant to neuter their male pets.[7] The demand for such a product is more common than previously thought. Houston veterinarian Kenneth Williams says that for every 200 dogs neutered he gets one inquiry or request for implants.[4]
Miller and Neuticles have received worldwide publicity. Among other national news coverage including CBS News, NBC News ABC World News Tonight, The Daily Show, to Tell the Truth, The David Letterman Show, The Tonight Show and hundreds of newspapers and radio outlets-they were featured on an episode of the Penn & Teller show Bullshit! which featured the extremes people will go to in order to meet their own concepts of their pets' desires.[8]
Neuticles were recently the topic of an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Olympic Gold Medalist Bruce Jenner was hesitant to alter Rocky his Boxer. Kim suggested Neuticles and Jenner was pleased with the results.