Hormones

29.1.9 Hormones ESTROGEN Synthetic estrogen is used to bring animal into heat. This is used for animals with chronic uterine infections (pyometra) and for other animals that never come into heat.

Heat appears about 3 days after injection. It is then best to wait until the next natural heat to breed (3 weeks later).

Warning: Estrogen injections cause abortions and may cause cystic ovaries. They are illegal in some countries.

Dose: Read the label!

OXYTOCIN

It causes the uterus to contract and makes milk come down into the udder.

This is used for retained placenta. See page 153.

This is used for treatment of dystocia in pigs. See page 138.

Dose: Read the label!

PROSTAGLANDIN

This drug is used to bring a female animal into heat. It is safer to use than estrogen and therefore in some countries this drug is legal but estrogens are not. However, it is usually more expensive.

Warning: This drug will also cause a pregnant female to abort. Therefore it must be used carefully.

Dose: Read the label!