What is Misoprostol Veterinary used for?

Misoprostol Veterinary is indicated for: GI ulcer treatment, NSAID-induced GI ulcer prophylaxis.

Which species have cited Misoprostol Veterinary dosing data?

Misoprostol Veterinary dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 1 species: Dog (Domestic).

Is Misoprostol Veterinary a controlled substance?

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

Misoprostol Veterinary

US brand names:Cytotec Vet

Calculate dosage

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

Misoprostol Veterinary is dosed at 0.002–0.005 mg/kg PO q8-12h in dogs, per Ward DM, Leib MS, Johnston SA, Marini M. The effect of dosing interval on the efficacy of misoprostol in the prevention of aspirin-induced gastric injury. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2003;17(3):282-290. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2003.tb02449.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.924 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Miscellaneous

Routes

Indications

GI ulcer treatment NSAID-induced GI ulcer prophylaxis

Mechanism of Action

Synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog that replaces protective prostaglandins depleted by NSAIDs. Stimulates mucus and bicarbonate secretion and maintains mucosal blood flow.

Side effects & warnings

ABORTIFACIENT — do not handle if pregnant. Diarrhea common initially. Co-prescribe with chronic NSAID use for GI protection. Do not use in pregnant animals.

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Moderate×1Strong×1

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

Backed by 2 published sources

· Ward DM, Leib MS, Johnston SA, Marini M. The effect of dosing interval on the efficacy of misoprostol in the prevention of aspirin-induced gastric injury. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2003;17(3):282-290. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2003.tb02449.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.924 (2026-08-01).
· Ward DM, Leib MS, Johnston SA, Marini M. The effect of dosing interval on the efficacy of misoprostol in the prevention of aspirin-induced gastric injury. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2003;17(3):282-290. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2003.tb02449.x; Johnston SA, Leib MS, Forrester SD, Marini M. The effect of misoprostol on aspirin-induced gastroduodenal lesions in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 1995;9(1):32-38. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.1995.tb03269.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.924 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 1 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	0.002–0.005 mg/kg	q8-12h	Strong	Ward DM, Leib MS, Johnston SA, Marini M. The effect of dosing interval on the efficacy of misoprostol in the prevention of aspirin-induced gastric injury. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2003;17(3):282-290. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2003.tb02449.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.924 (2026-08-01).
Dog (Domestic)	PO	0.003–0.005 mg/kg	q8h	Moderate	Ward DM, Leib MS, Johnston SA, Marini M. The effect of dosing interval on the efficacy of misoprostol in the prevention of aspirin-induced gastric injury. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2003;17(3):282-290. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2003.tb02449.x; Johnston SA, Leib MS, Forrester SD, Marini M. The effect of misoprostol on aspirin-induced gastroduodenal lesions in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 1995;9(1):32-38. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.924 (2026-08-01).

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