Equine · Equus caballus · typical adult weight 350.00–700.00 kg
Oxytocin (Livestock) is dosed at 10–20 IU total IV q15-30min in horses, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.977, Oxytocin monograph spanning p.977-979; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.978, Oxytocin monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Oxytocin (Livestock) is used in horses for Assistance in removal of retained fetal membranes, Retained fetal membranes. Routes documented in horses: IV. A typical adult horse weighs 350.00–700.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Oxytocin (Livestock) in horses, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Oxoject, Pitocin Veterinary
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 10–20 IU total | q15-30min | — | Assistance in removal of retained fetal membranes | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.977, Oxytocin monograph spanning p.977-979; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.978, Oxytocin monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| IV | 5–20 IU total dose | q1h starting 2-3 h after foaling, repeat as needed | Repeated small doses | Retained fetal membranes | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.977, Oxytocin monograph spanning p.977-979; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.978, Oxytocin monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
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Posterior pituitary peptide hormone that stimulates uterine smooth muscle contraction and myoepithelial cell contraction in the mammary gland for milk let-down.
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 horses may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Oxytocin (Livestock) dose ranges in horses, with cited source references: IV 10–20 IU total q15-30min; IV 5–20 IU total dose q1h starting 2-3 h after foaling, repeat as needed. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Oxytocin (Livestock) in horses: IV.
Cited course lengths for Oxytocin (Livestock) in horses include: Repeated small doses. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Oxytocin (Livestock) is indicated in horses for: Assistance in removal of retained fetal membranes, Retained fetal membranes.
These are general warnings for Oxytocin (Livestock) across species; consult the horse dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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.
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 horses — 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.