Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Oxytocin is dosed at 0.5–3 IU per cat IM q15-30 min, max 3 doses in cats, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed. Oxytocin is used in cats for Dystocia (with dilated cervix). Routes documented in cats: IM. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Oxytocin in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Pitocin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.5–3 IU per cat | q15-30 min, max 3 doses | Up to 3 doses | Dystocia (with dilated cervix) | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
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Stimulates uterine smooth muscle contraction and mammary myoepithelial cell contraction promoting milk letdown. Acts via oxytocin receptors.
Used for dystocia and milk letdown. DO NOT USE if obstructive dystocia (uterine rupture risk). Cervix must be dilated. Repeat doses with diminishing returns.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Oxytocin dose range in cats, with cited source references: IM 0.5–3 IU per cat q15-30 min, max 3 doses. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Oxytocin in cats: IM.
Cited course lengths for Oxytocin in cats include: Up to 3 doses. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Oxytocin is indicated in cats for: Dystocia (with dilated cervix).
These are general warnings for Oxytocin across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Used for dystocia and milk letdown. DO NOT USE if obstructive dystocia (uterine rupture risk). Cervix must be dilated. Repeat doses with diminishing returns.
Why a species-specific page? Oxytocin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — 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.