Cloprostenol

Major Uses

Cloprostenol is commonly used to terminate unwanted pregnancy in cattle or help pass a stuck placenta after birth. It can also be used to induce estrus in order to bring animals into heat if they fail to do so on their own. Bringing an animal into heat makes pregnancy possible, and this drug is used especially among breeders trying to breed specific individuals.

It works by encouraging the shedding of the uterine lining, and results in estrus within 2 to 5 days after administration if the animal is not pregnant. If the animal is pregnant, the pregnancy terminates within 2 to 5 days as well.

Common Precautions

Cloprostenol is only useful in animals with a mature uterine lining, which means ovulation must have occurred at least 5 days before treatment. It is essential ovulation has occurred before this time frame before treatment.

Cloprostenol should not be given to pregnant animals whose offspring are desired, as administering this medication to a pregnant individual will cause the loss of the fetus. There is no effect on fertility after administering this drug.

Cloprostenol should not be used in animals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to the drug. Antibiotics should be used at the injection site in order to prevent infection.

Storage

Cloprostenol should be stored at room temperature and protected from moisture in a tightly sealed container.

Administration

Cloprostenol should only be administered through injection into deep muscle or fat tissue.

A typical dose range for inducing the passage of a placenta in dogs is 1-3 mcg/kg, subcutaneously, every 12-24 hours until the placenta has been passed. To induce termination of a pregnancy in dogs, 1-2.5 mcg/kg, subcutaneously, once daily, for 4-5 days until termination is effective. A typical dose to induce estrus in cattle is 500 mcg administered intramuscularly.

Doses may vary in different species, when the drug is given by a different route or concurrently with other medications, and with regards to a patient's age, breed, and health status. A veterinarian's dosing instructions and/or those printed on the medication label should be followed closely.