Livestock · Ovis aries · typical adult weight 30.00–120.00 kg
Oxytocin (Livestock) is dosed at 5–20 IU total dose IM As needed in sheep, per McClary D. Retained placenta. In: Howard J, ed. Current Veterinary Therapy: Food Animal Practice. 2nd ed. W.B. Saunders; 1986:773-775. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1005 (2026-08-01).. Oxytocin (Livestock) is used in sheep for Uterine inertia, milk let-down. Routes documented in sheep: IM. A typical adult sheep weighs 30.00–120.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Oxytocin (Livestock) in sheep, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5–20 IU total dose | As needed | Single dose | Uterine inertia, milk let-down | Moderate | McClary D. Retained placenta. In: Howard J, ed. Current Veterinary Therapy: Food Animal Practice. 2nd ed. W.B. Saunders; 1986:773-775. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1005 (2026-08-01). |
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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 sheep may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Oxytocin (Livestock) dose range in sheep, with cited source references: IM 5–20 IU total dose As needed. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Oxytocin (Livestock) in sheep: IM.
Cited course lengths for Oxytocin (Livestock) in sheep include: Single dose. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Oxytocin (Livestock) is indicated in sheep for: Uterine inertia, milk let-down.
These are general warnings for Oxytocin (Livestock) across species; consult the sheep 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 sheep — 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.