Description

Delvosteron Injection

Manufactured by: MSD / Intervet

Dosage form: Injection

Presentation: 

20 ml Vials

A ready to use white to off-white, aqueous, sterile suspension of Proligestone for injection.

Ingredients & Composition:

Each ml contains

Proligestone         100 mg
As preservative –
Methyl parahydroxybenzoate        1.02 mg
Propyl parahydroxybenzoate         0.12 mg

Description / Action: 

Delvosteron contains a second generation progestagen; proligestone. It is used in the bitches, queens and ferrets for suppression & postponement of oestrus. It is also used for the treatment of pseudo pregnancy in the bitches. The chances of unwanted side effects on the endometrium after proligestone treatment is low compared in comparison to first generation progestagens. It can be administered at any stage of the oestrus cycle.

Class: Skin Tonic/Supplement

Indication / Uses / Benefits:

Delvosteron is licenced for the following indications:

In bitches:

• • • Permanent postponement of heat
    • Temporary postponement of heat
    • Suppression of heat
    • Treatment and prevention of false pregnancy

In cats:

• • • Permanent postponement of calling in queens
    • Temporary postponement of calling in queens
    • Suppression of calling in queens
    • Treatment and prevention of feline miliary dermatitis

Ferrets:

• • • For prevention of problems like vaginal and uterine infections and bone marrow depression associated with prolonged oestrus and persistently high oestrogen levels.

1. 1. 1. Oestrus control

(i) Bitches

Permanent postponement of heat

Repeat the administration during anoestrus period induced by previous injection of Delvosteron.

Temporary postponement of heat

A single injection is given during anoestrus period.

Suppression of heat

A single injection is given at the beginning of pro-oestrus period.

(ii) Queens

Permanent postponement of calling

Repeat the administration during anoestrus/dioestrus induced by the previous injection of Delvosteron.

Temporary postponement of calling

A single injection given during dioestrus or anoestrus period.

Suppression of calling

A single injection is administered at the time of calling.

1. 1. 2. False pregnancy

It has been demonstrated that in most bitches, a single injection will effectively alleviate both lactation associated with false pregnancy and the nervous signs.

1. 1. 3. Feline Miliary Dermatitis

In cats it is recommended for the treatment of miliary dermatitis /miliary eczema (some forms) in cats.

Dosage and Administration

(i) Bitches: 10-33 mg/kg bodyweight. The recommended average doses are as follows:

Dogs Body weight       Dosage

<3kg                    1.0 ml        or      33 mg/kg
3-5 kg                  1.0-1.5 ml            33-30 mg/kg
5-10 kg                1.5-2.5 ml            30-25 mg/kg
10-20 kg              2.5-3.5 ml            25-17.5 mg/kg
20-30 kg              3.5-4.5 ml            17.5-15 mg/kg
30-45 kg              4.5-5.5 ml            15-12.2 mg/kg
45-60 kg              5.5-6.0 ml            12.2-10.8 mg/kg
>60 kg                 1 ml/ 10 kg         10 mg/kg

Extremely heavy bitches may require more than 6mL

(ii) Queens:

Oestrus control: 1 mL/3kg (33 mg/kg)

Miliary dermatitis: 1.5 mL/3kg (50 mg/kg)

Repeat after a 2 weeks interval. Use ectoparasiticide along with it for best results. Always keep in mind the possible effect on the breeding capacity before using Delvosteron to treat miliary dermatitis.

Species: Dogs, Cats, Ferrets

Route of administration:

Delvosteron should be given by subcutaneous injection. Observe the usual aseptic precautions before administration. Following administration massage of the injection site may promote dispersion of the product.

DOSAGE SCHEDULE

(i) Bitches

Permanent postponement of heat

Following schedules are recommended for use:

Schedule A:

For bitches not previously treated with any other Progestagens

First Injection – In anoestrus OR In pro-oestrus

Second Injection – 3 months after 1^st injection

Third Injection – 4 months after 2nd injection

Subsequent Injections – At 5-month intervals

NOTES:

If (pro-)oestrus interrupts the dosage schedule, schedule A (mentioned above) should be applied again from the 1st injection. Delvosteron doesn’t have same efficacy in every bitch. Efficacy will decrease with advancement of pro-oestrus phase. The majority of animals treated will return to heat within 12 months after injection. Unlike normal oestrous cycles a small minority may fail to return to oestrus. Fertility of a heat is not adversely affected following the withdrawal of Delvosteron.

Schedule B:

Bitches still in anoestrus after treatment with other progestagen

• • • Treatment with Delvosteron can be continued every 5 months if 2 or more consecutive injections of another progestagen have been given.
    • When with another progestagen only one injection has been given. Then schedule A should be applied starting with 2nd injection.

Temporary postponement of heat

Give a single injection one month before the effect is required at any time in anoestrus. It will take average 6 months for next oestrous after the injection. This interval may vary in some individuals as short as 3 months or longer than 12 months.

Suppression of heat

A single injection as soon as possible after the onset of pro-oestrus is seen (an injection given in later stages of pro-oestrus is unlikely to be effective). Signs of heat like, bleeding, vulval swelling and attractiveness to dogs should be gradually decreased or stopped within 5-7 days following the injection. Until all signs of heat have fully regressed contact with dogs should be avoided as the bitch may accept the male prior to this.

It will take average 6 months for next oestrous after the injection. This interval may vary in some individuals as short as 3 months or longer than 12 months.

Treatment of false pregnancy

As soon as the signs of pseudopregnany are seen a single dose is given. It takes 6 days to disappear nervous signs in most cases, while lactation should be reduced or stopped by day 9 after injection. Around 20% of cases will return to pseudopregnancy within one month of treatment, and about 70% of these cases will respond to a second dose of delvosteron.

(ii) Queens

Oestrus control

Dosage schedules for permanent postponement, temporary postponement or the suppression of calling should be followed as those given for bitches. Injections may be given in either dioestrus or anoestrus for temporary postponement of calling. At the onset of calling if injection is given then the signs will usually abate within 1-4 days, but in a few cases such a response may not be seen for 7 days. The recurrence of calling after treatment is very variable because cats are seasonally polyoestrus. According to one study conducted only 11% and 30% of cats called within 5 months after medication in anoestrus and pro-oestrus, respectively. If the non-breeding season (anoestrus) intervenes the return to calling will be further delayed.

Feline Miliary Dermatitis

A single injection is often sufficient.  Sometimes a second dose is required 14 days later if the clinical response is not adequate. If necessary depending on the clinical response obtained, dosing may need to be repeated every 4 months or more frequently.

Contraindications / Side effects:

Delvosteron ia not recommended in juvenile bitches to suppress or postpone their first oestrus cycle. In diabetic patients it may lead to an increase in insulin requirement.

Transient pain immediately after injection, and sometimes discolouration and loss of hair at the injection site can be seen. Only in rare cases atrophy of underlying tissue and the skin has been observed. Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia Complex may be seen as a side effect of the medication like with all other progestagens.

Lethargy, weight gain and a transient increased appetite may be seen in some animals. But these side effects occur less frequently than with the first generation progestagens.

In case of occasional local or systemic allergic or anaphylactic reactions immediate treatment with an appropriate corticosteroid, antihistamine or adrenaline can be done.

Mammary hyperplasia has been recorded in a few cases in cats. If false pregnancy is noticed following administration of Delvosteron, avoid further hormone administration and treat conservatively.

NOTES

Dogs and cats may remain fertile for as long as 1 week when treated in pro-oestrus in spite of the disappearance of oestrus signs. In some large breeds of dogs like Great Danes efficacy can be lower.

Pharmaceutical precautions / Instructions: 

Store at room temperature, below 25°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Shake well before use. Restricted veterinary medicine. Keep out of reach of children. For animal treatment only.

When using, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly after handling as progestagens are suspected of causing cancer or damage to fertility or the unborn child, operators should TAKE CARE.

First aid – In case of inadvertent or accidental prick contact medical physician. Wash with plenty of soap and water in case of spilt on skin.

Safety: Age / Pregnancy/ Withdrawal:

Do not administer prior to first heat. Contents should be used within 28 days of first opening of the container.

For oestrus (‘heat’) control there is no one best method. It will be different for each animal. Spaying is irreversible so it is therefore not an option in animals intended for breeding. And in this case Delvosteron provides a safe and reversible alternative. Delvosteron keeps all the options open.

Substitute: Updating Soon,