Which species have cited Cabergoline dosing data?

Cabergoline dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 3 species: Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Pet Rat.

Is Cabergoline a controlled substance?

Cabergoline is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Cabergoline

US brand names:Galastop, Dostinex

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Cabergoline is dosed at 0.6 mg/kg PO q72h in pet rats, per Mayer J, Sato A, Kiupel M, et al. Extralabel use of cabergoline in the treatment of a pituitary adenoma in a rat. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011;239:656-660. doi:10.2460/javma.239.5.656 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.798 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Endocrine

Routes

Indications

Lactation suppressionMammary tumour adjunct (prolactin-driven)pregnancy termination

Mechanism of Action

Selective dopamine D2 receptor agonist that suppresses prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary. Terminates pseudopregnancy and lactation.

Side effects & warnings

Used for pseudopregnancy, pregnancy termination, and suppression of lactation. Vomiting common in first few days. More selective and fewer side effects than bromocriptine.

Evidence levels across 3 dose rules

Moderate×2Weak×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 3 published sources

· Davidson A. Update: Therapeutics for reproductive disorders in small animal practice. Paper presented at: ACVIM Forum; 2004. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.193 (2026-08-01).
· Harvey MA, Dale MJ, Lindley S and Waterston MM (1999) A study of the aetiology of pseudopregnancy in the bitch and the effect of cabergoline therapy. Veterinary Record 144, 433-436 — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.73 (2026-08-01).
· Mayer J, Sato A, Kiupel M, et al. Extralabel use of cabergoline in the treatment of a pituitary adenoma in a rat. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011;239:656-660. doi:10.2460/javma.239.5.656 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.798 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 3 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 3 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	0.005 mg/kg	q24h	Moderate	Harvey MA, Dale MJ, Lindley S and Waterston MM (1999) A study of the aetiology of pseudopregnancy in the bitch and the effect of cabergoline therapy. Veterinary Record 144, 433-436 — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.73 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	PO	0.005 mg/kg	q24h	Weak	Davidson A. Update: Therapeutics for reproductive disorders in small animal practice. Paper presented at: ACVIM Forum; 2004. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.193 (2026-08-01).

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