Oxytocin (Livestock) for Cattle
Livestock · Bos taurus · typical adult weight 250.00–900.00 kg
Oxytocin (Livestock) is used in cattle for Uterine inertia, retained placenta, milk let-down, Milk let-down, retained placenta, uterine inertia. Routes documented in cattle: IM, IV. A typical adult cattle weighs 250.00–900.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Oxytocin (Livestock) in cattle, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Oxoject, Pitocin Veterinary
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 10–40 IU total dose | As needed | Repeat in 30-60 min if needed | Uterine inertia, retained placenta, milk let-down | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook |
| IV | 20–40 IU total | single dose | — | Milk let-down, retained placenta, uterine inertia | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your cattle's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Mechanism of action
Posterior pituitary peptide hormone that stimulates uterine smooth muscle contraction and myoepithelial cell contraction in the mammary gland for milk let-down.
Side effects & warnings
Do not use in animals with dystocia due to fetal malpresentation until corrected. Overdose can cause uterine rupture. IV provides rapid onset (1 min) vs IM (3-5 min). Low dose for milk let-down; higher dose for uterine contraction.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cattle may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Other Endocrine drugs with cattle dosing
Oxytocin (Livestock) dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Oxytocin (Livestock) pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cattle — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.