Oxytocin - Page 1

So I had a strange visit to the vet today.  I went to get oxytocin to have on hand, as my understanding is that using it as a clean out after whelping is not a bad idea.  The vet looked at me like I had 2 heads and absolutely refused it.  She said it is highly dangerous to give to dogs and it is for cattle only and it is illegal to dispense for dogs.  I live in Canada if this makes a difference.  She said she knows of only one breeder who uses it and she has no idea where she gets it from because as she said, it is illegal.

Thoughts.  I am a little puzzled.  So if I suspect a retained puppy, what does the vet administer if I have to take her in?  

Must be a Canadian thing, because my vet in florida sent me home with a dose for my dog just in case she needed it. And by the time puppy #7 was coming along my girl was looking pretty tired. So we popped her with the does and the puppy nearly flew across the room! She just needed one good hard push.
Know any cattle farmers?

I do, but I am not sure if they would give me some, can't hurt to try though.  I just have no idea how to dose it.  I have no desire to use it during whelping, but would like to use as a clean out. I also suspect that the vet was just not wanting to give it out as she spoke down to me.

Well your vet is not well versed. I always have it on hand for whelping. My vet gives it sells it to me. Pig Farmers and Dairymen use a lot of this drug and it is used in horses mainly for retained placenta. Maybe not in Canada but here every vet has it.

B.Anderson, this is what I tried to explain and she asked me for a list of German Shepherd breeders who use it.  LOL, like I said, she was talking down to me.  I just said that in a German Shepherd group I have been part of for the last three years, it is highly suggested to have it on hand whether it is needed or not.  She looked at me like I was an idiot.

What I would like to know is what do they do in the event a puppy is retained and I need to take her in?  Section her?  My guess is that they would administer oxytocin (or pitocin???)  Seems like overkill to me.  My fear is retaining a puppy and not knowing until it is too late.

Oxytocin is a double edged sword, and you have to be really careful deciding when and how much to use.  If you use too much at the wrong time, you can rupture the uterus or even just cause it to contract so much that it kills the puppies.

When I use it during whelping (American Bulldogs always seem to take forever), I use .2ml doses...my repro vet's recommended dose.  For a clean out shot, I use .5ml.

If you are afraid of a retained puppy, get a good term xray for a head count.  That is invaluable.

 

Add me to your list of GSD breeders that use it. In the first 4 or 5 years of our breeding program we lost a few puppies thet just didn't come out fast enough. Mom was trying, but, to no avail.

We keep it on hand for every litter and seldom loose a puppy. It's available on line if you look for it. Our vet initially gave us a dose of .1cc. It was not enough. We went to .5-1.0cc depending on the female. Some need more than others. We let the first be born naturally and have it on hand for the rest of the litter if needed. If mom pushes and there's no puppy within 10 to 15 min. She gets a shot. The critical event is the contractions. If she's contracting and you can feel the puppy. Puppy is coming out straight or you can straighten it and it's just not out. A shot will most likely get it out in about 60 seconds. It's truly been a lifesaver for us. Check into another vet would be my suggestion.

I always have 2 shots of it on hand, have never needed it. My vet (country vet) was thrilled I asked for it so he wouldn't have to wake up in the middle of the night to come out and give it to me, lol. NEVER GIVE IT BEFORE THE FIRST PUP HAS BEEN BORN. Typical use is when you *think* all pups have been born and are not quite sure if there's maybe one more in there. You never know, xray or ultrasound or not.

Where can you get it online?

If the bitch goes for more than 1 hour between pups give 1ml into the muscle. That should produce a pup within 5-10 mins.

Definitely need to have it on hand;  my friends bitch retained a puppy for 5 days;  dead of course with the idiot vet that did not want you to use it.  She is lucky she did not lose the bitch.  also my last litter same idiot vet did not want me to use oxitocin unless I called her first followed by a calcium shot, still ripped my bitches uterus by her straining so much. 

Really, find another vet or call a repo vet.  And I do agree with you doing a clean out shot after whelping;  some bitches don't produce enough milk right away so maybe you might need to supplement to get everyone satisfied;  nursing puppies do help the bitch to contract but that is sometimes not enough to clean out the uterus by itself.  A pit show will do the trick for sure. 

Good luck  Nan