Initial hormone flare for 2-4 weeks. Duration varies by species (6-18 months). May trigger ovulation in some species before suppression. Remove implant to reverse effect.
Species with Deslorelin dosing data (13 dose rules)
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Sample dosing (2 of 13 cited rules)
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 12 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.
SUPRELORIN 4.7 Mg Implant for Dogs [UK Datasheet]. Virbac Limited; 2007. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.351, Deslorelin monograph. — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Deslorelin monograph, printed p.351, DOGS: "Contraceptive in male dogs (extra-label): Using the 4.7 mg implant: Implant SC every 6 months […]" Same page: "NOTE: Extra-label use of the ferret implant product in dogs is prohibited in the United States." Wording from BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed, Part A, printed p.111 ("Use: - Temporary chemical castration.") and printed p.112 (DOSES: "Dogs: 1 implant per male dog repeat after 6 or 12 months").Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
· 185. Cowan ML, Martin GB, Monks DJ, et al. Inhibition of the reproductive system by deslorelin in male and female pigeons (Columba livia). J Avian Med Surg. 2014;28:102-108. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.461 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.7 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Birds).
· 629. Murphy K, Wilson DA, Burton M, et al. Effectiveness of the GnRH agonist deslorelin as a tool to decrease levels of circulating testosterone in zebra finches. GentzComp Endocrinol. 2015;222:150-157. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.461 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.7 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Birds).
· 912. Summa NM, Sanchez-Migallon Guzman D, Wils-PlotzEL, et al. Evaluation of the effects of a 4.7-mg deslorelin acetate implant on egg laying in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus). Am J Vet Res. 2017;78:745-751. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.461 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.7 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Birds).
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Fontaine C (2015) Long-term contraception in a small implant: A review of suprelorin (deslorelin) studies in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 17, 766-771 — BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.112
Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
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Alkis I, Cetin Y, Sendag S, et al. Long term suppression of oestrus and prevention of pregnancy by deslorelin implant in rats. Bull Vet Inst Pulawy. 2011;55:237-240.; Cetin Y, Alkis I, Sendag S, et al. Long-term effect of deslorelin implant on ovarian pre-antral follicles and uterine histology in female rats. Reprod Domest Anim. 2013;48:195-199. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02128.x — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents).
· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.8 (Endocrine and Reproductive Disease Agents Used in Ferrets): 'Deslorelin (Suprelorin, Virbac Animal Health) | 4.7 mg implant SC55 | Treatment of adrenal disease, lasts 10-18 mo'. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, FERRETS, label dosage (FDA-Indexed product): 'One 4.7 mg implant/ferret SC every 12 months.' REPLACES the previous segment naming Table 5.7 (Hormones and Steroids Used in BIRDS), which is the avian table.
· Fontaine C (2015) Long-term contraception in a small implant: A review of suprelorin (deslorelin) studies in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 17, 766-771 — BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.112
· Kohutova S, Jekl V, Knotek Z, et al. The effect of deslorelin acetate on the oestrous cycle of female guinea pigs. Veterinarni Medicina. 2015;60:155-160. doi:10.17221/8062-vetmed — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents).
· Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.94.
· Rowland MN. Use of a deslorelin implant to control aggression in a male bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Vet Rec. 2011;169:127. doi:10.1136/vr.d2007 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles).
· SUPRELORIN 4.7 Mg Implant for Dogs [UK Datasheet]. Virbac Limited; 2007. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.351, Deslorelin monograph. — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Deslorelin monograph, printed p.351, DOGS: "Contraceptive in male dogs (extra-label): Using the 4.7 mg implant: Implant SC every 6 months […]" Same page: "NOTE: Extra-label use of the ferret implant product in dogs is prohibited in the United States." Wording from BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed, Part A, printed p.111 ("Use: - Temporary chemical castration.") and printed p.112 (DOSES: "Dogs: 1 implant per male dog repeat after 6 or 12 months").
· SUPRELORIN 9.4 Mg Implant for Dogs and Ferrets [UK Datasheet]. Carros, France: Virbac SA; 2010. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.351, Deslorelin monograph.
· Schoemaker NJ. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists and other contraceptive medications in exotic companion animals. In: van Zeeland YRA, ed. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract: Therapeutics. 2018;21:443-464. doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2018.01.011 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits).
· van Zeeland Y. Medication for behavior modification in birds. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2018;21(1):115-149. doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2017.08.005 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.10 (Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Agents Used in Birds.a,b).