Use of cabergoline to treat primary and secondary anestrus in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether cabergoline would be safe and effective for induction of estrus in dogs with primary or secondary anestrus.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
6 privately owned otherwise healthy pure-bred dogs with primary or secondary anestrus.


METHODS
Dogs were treated with cabergoline (5 microg/kg [2.3 microg/lb], p.o., q 24 h) until 2 days after the onset of proestrus. Follicular development was assessed by means of cytologic examination of vaginal smears; ovulation was assessed by measuring serum progesterone concentration 3 weeks after the onset of estrus. Five bitches were mated during behavioral estrus.


RESULTS
All dogs had normal estrus periods, and all 5 dogs that were mated whelped normal litters. Mean duration of cabergoline treatment was 16 days. None of the dogs had any adverse effects associated with cabergoline administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that administration of cabergoline is safe and effective for treatment for primary and secondary anestrus in dogs.
Gobello
Cristina
C
Institute of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, Argentina.
Castex
Gervasio
G
Corrada
Yanina
Y
D000780:Anestrus / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D000077465:Cabergoline; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004873:Ergolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000662:veterinary
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D004873:Ergolines; D011374:Progesterone; D000077465:Cabergoline