- Class: Nanopeptide hypothalamic hormone
- Action: By increasing the sodium permeability of uterine myofibrils, it stimulates uterine contraction. The threshold for oxytocin-induced uterine contraction is reduced with pregnancy duration, in the presence of high estrogen levels and in patients already in labor. It can facilitate milk ejection, but does not have any galactopoietic properties. While it only has minimal antidiuretic properties, water intoxication can occur if it is administered at too rapid a rate.
- Indications: Induction or enhancement of uterine contractions at parturition, treatment of postpartum retained placenta and metritis, uterine involution after manual correction of prolapsed uterus in dogs, and in treating agalactia.
- Dosage: IM, IV
Ewe, Sow: 30-50 IU
Bitch: 5-25 IU
Queen: 5-10 IU
