Cat & Dog - Proligestone

Why has my veterinary surgeon prescribed this medicine?

Proligestone is used to postpone and suppress oestrus (season, heat) in dogs and cats and reduce the symptoms of false pregnancy in dogs. If your pet is not intended for breeding, think about having her spayed (neutered, sterilised). Proligestone has also been used to treat skin conditions in cats. This medication may also be used to alleviate problems associated with prolonged oestrus in ferrets.

How does this medicine work?

Proligestone is a progestogen (type of ormone). Progestogens exert a negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in the brain thereby suppressing the secretion of gonadotrophins and cyclical ovarian activity, which normally results in oestrus and ovulation.

How do I give this medication?

• Your veterinary surgeon will administer this medicine by injection to your pet. A course of treatment may be required as directed by your veterinary surgeon.
• The medication is best given when your pet is not on heat. It will not be effective for oestrus control if it is given when the animal is in oestrus. Effects will be seen after about 5 days, if given in the early stages of heat (pro-oestrus). If proligestone is given during pro-oestrus, contact with male dogs should be prevented until signs of heat regress.

Potential side effects

• Your veterinary surgeon will need to monitor your pet closely if the animal is diabetic.
• Your pet may experience irritation at the site of the injection and there may be a change of coat colour at the site of injection.
• Other side effects include increased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination and personality changes. If these effects continue and become troublesome, contact your veterinary surgeon.
• Potential side effects with proligestone are mammary changes and uterine infection (pyometra). If your pet experiences anything unusual, contact your veterinary surgeon.
• Proligestone is not recommended for use in bitches before or during their first oestrus.

Possible drug interactions

• Make sure to tell your veterinary surgeon what other medication you are giving to your pet.
• Quite often your veterinary surgeon may prescribe two different medications, and a drug interaction may be anticipated. In this case, your veterinary surgeon may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
• Drugs may interact such that they can cause an increased or decreased effect or side effects. Although drug interactions may occur, it does not mean that there is necessarily a high risk of any of these occurring.
• Contact your veterinary surgeon if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.