INDICATIONS

• Induction or acceleration of labor in cases of weak or absent contractions (uterine inertia), provided the cervix is fully dilated and there is no physical obstruction to birth.
• Management of postpartum conditions, including:
  • Control of uterine hemorrhage (bleeding) after birth or following a cesarean section.
  • Promotion of uterine involution, which is the process of the uterus shrinking back to its normal size.
  • Evacuation of uterine debris or retained placentae to prevent infection.
  • To help resolve egg binding in birds and reptiles (an off-label use).

ADMINISTRATION

• Routes:
  • Intramuscular (IM): Injected directly into a muscle (the large muscles of the hind leg or neck). This route has a slower onset of action than IV but a longer-lasting effect.
  • Subcutaneous (SQ/SC): Injected into the tissue layer just under the skin.
  • Intravenous (IV): Injected directly into a vein, often diluted and given slowly for an almost immediate effect. 
• Dosage and Repetition:
  • Dosages are species-specific. For example, a small dog might receive 0.25 to 1 IU, while a cow might receive 20 to 50 IU.
  • Injections may be repeated at specific intervals (typically every 30 minutes to an hour), but generally should not exceed a set number of doses (e.g., three doses for labor induction).
• Precautions:
  • Before administration for labor, confirm that the cervix is fully dilated and there is no physical obstruction. An ultrasound or radiography may be necessary to assess the situation.