Safety and efficacy of mid-term pregnancy termination using aglepristone in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate effects and side effects of aglepristone in terminating pregnancy in bitches.


METHODS
Twenty-two bitches were treated in mid-pregnancy with subcutaneous injections of aglepristone at a total dose of 20 mg/kg. Short-term follow-up (one to two weeks after treatment) included clinical examination and abdominal ultrasonography in 18 of the dogs. Long-term telephone follow-up was recorded for all 22 dogs.


RESULTS
Pregnancy was terminated in 21 bitches (95 per cent). Signs of abortion occurred one to eight days after treatment. Vaginal discharge was evident in 17 (77 per cent) dogs. Obvious signs of parturition were seen in nine (41 per cent) dogs. Eight dogs (36 per cent) developed anorexia, and in two (9 per cent) of the dogs a local reaction at the injection site was evident. Two dogs developed pyometra two and four years after treatment, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Aglepristone, when administered in mid-gestation, is effective in terminating pregnancy. Side effects are few and transient.
Pettersson
C H
CH
Albano Animal Hospital, Rinkebyvägen 23, 182 36 Danderyd, Sweden.
Tidholm
A
A
D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004963:Estrenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000662:veterinary
D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D004963:Estrenes; C419063:aglepristone