Everyone knows that very often in veterinary medicine use medications designed to treat various diseases in humans. One such drug is Megestrol Acetate. In this article we will consider why this drug is prescribed and how to take it.
Description of the drug
"Megestrol acetate" refers to drugs that are taken in the treatment of cancer. It is an antitumor agent. It affects the cells of the connective tissue of the tumor, slowing its development. In addition, the description of "Megestrol acetate" indicates its effect on the hormonal background, in particular, on the production of certain hormones by the pituitary gland and adrenal glands. However, the obstacle to the development of metastases extends only to tissues with cytoplasmic hormonal receptors. For example, this medication may be effective in hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Also, the drug has a gestagenic and anti-cachectic effect.
The medication has good absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. The highest concentration of the drug in the body is achieved in just a few hours. While excreted from the body for several days. A certain amount of the drug is deposited in adipose tissue. Removal of residues from the body through the kidneys, intestines and respiratory tract.
Who is appointed?
The range of use of "Megestrol acetate" is not so wide. The reason for this is a narrow focus of the drug. As we have said, it is able to influence the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors. By suppressing them, the drug inhibits tumor growth. Therefore, it is prescribed for the following oncological diseases:
- disseminated breast cancer;
- endometrial cancer in the last stages;
- tumors of the ovaries and prostate gland;
- unreasonable weight loss in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome;
- cachexia in cancer patients.
Recurrent thrombophlebitis is used as a contraindication. In addition, this drug is prohibited for use in the first 4 months of pregnancy.
It is worth paying your attention to the fact that the use of megestrol acetate for dogs and cats as part of various drugs is completely different than for humans. We will consider these features below.
Appointment to animals
Drugs that contain this active substance are prescribed for dogs and cats to stop estrus. However, these drugs are applied not only to females, but also to males. Very often, owners suffer from excessive sexual activity of a cat or dog. In addition, unsatisfied sexual desire is fraught with manifestation of aggression from the animal. Therefore, megestrol acetate is prescribed to suppress hormones in both females and males.
Veterinary use
Since megestrol acetate has an effect on hormones, it is used in veterinary medicine to suppress estrus in dogs. Steroid hormones are used to suppress ovulation in females. This is mainly progesterone and testosterone. However, artificial synthetic steroids have been popular lately. These include medroxyprogesterone acetate, megestrol acetate, delmadinone acetate, melengestrol acetate and miboleron.
Many of the synthetic steroids work on the principle of suppressing gonadotropic hormones, which are responsible for ovulation. This method is used for contraception in dogs.
However, there is a likelihood of complications. For example, an animal may develop cystic endometrial hyperplasia and an infection of the genitourinary system can occur, and changes in the tissues of the mammary glands can also occur.
You should pay attention to the fact that the drug is not recommended for contraception in cats due to side effects.
Dog contraception
Dogs are protected with this synthetic steroid orally. Therefore, the drug is available in the form of tablets, with a dosage of 5 and 20 mg. The dose and dosage regimen varies depending on in which period the drug is used: during estrus or proestrus.
The instructions of "Megestrol acetate" indicate that if hormone therapy begins during the period of proestrus, the drug should be given as soon as possible. This period lasts about 9 days, and over 3-8 days, the drug is given in the amount of 2 mg per 1 kg of dog weight. If drug therapy was started on time, then the next estrus will occur in about six months. If the drug was started at the final stage of proestrus, then, most likely, the course of treatment will need to be extended.
It is permissible to use the drug as a prophylaxis during the anestrus period. In this case, the dosage is reduced to 0.5 mg per 1 kg of weight. The course of admission is 30-32 days. Thus, prevention of the onset of proestrus and estrus is achieved. It is recommended to start hormone therapy for several weeks before the expected proestrus. It should also be remembered that when the course stops, the resumption of estrus can happen at any time.
Cat contraception
The use of megestrol acetate for cats as a contraceptive is widespread in the UK. It is also used to inhibit estrus. The recommended dosage and regimen is 5 mg daily for the first 3 days, then 2.5-5 mg once a week for 10 weeks.
During use during the anestrus period, the course lasts 18 months, and the drug is given in an amount of 2.5 mg once a week.
When using this drug, some side effects may occur. These include an increase in the weight of the animal, a characteristic smell of urine, an increase in the size of the mammary glands, and even the latent course of diabetes.
Features of the use of the drug
Like any other drug, megestrol acetate also has contraindications. In the case of its use for drug therapy of animals, the drug is not recommended for use in diseases of the reproductive system and its organs, as well as in the presence of breast tumors.
Before taking the drug, you must make sure that the female is not pregnant. Otherwise, a violation of the development of embryos, in particular, of the female sex and a violation of the natural course of childbirth, are likely.
Also, the drug is not recommended for more than 2 courses in a row. Need to take breaks. At this time, you should use non-steroidal methods of contraception of the animal or make sure that unwanted mating does not occur, limiting the communication of the animal with the opposite sex. If this hormone therapy is constantly used, then it is likely that various endometrial seals will develop, which can subsequently turn into an oncological disease.
In addition, it is undesirable to use the drug on young individuals who have not yet had a estrus.
Analogs
To date, there are many analogues of megestrol acetate. These are mainly preparations containing it in their composition. For example, "EX-5". This is the most common contraceptive for dogs. It is produced in the form of a suspension of 2, 3, 4, 5 ml in a bottle. In addition, this drug is used not only to prevent estrus in females, but also to suppress sexual energy in males. Also, "EX-5" is able to influence the behavior of the animal.
Another drug is Sexinon. It is also used to prevent or stop the estrus of cats and to regulate the sexual desire of cats. It is produced in the form of drops and given to the animal with food or dripped onto the root of the tongue.
An equally well-known drug is Kontrik. It is intended for bitches and cats, as it is ineffective for males and cats. Judging by the reviews, in addition to suppressing estrus, this medication smoothes the aggressive behavior of females.