Treatment of pseudopregnancy in the bitch with cabergoline, an ergoline derivative

Cabergoline, a new prolactin inhibitor, was evaluated clinically in 143 bitches with pseudopregnancy and, or, false lactation, 14 cases of lactation after ovariohysterectomy for the removal of dead fetuses, 12 cases of persisting lactation after early weaning, and five cases of eclampsia. The drug was administered as a once-daily oral treatment (on food) in 139 cases or as subcutaneous injections at 48 hour intervals (maximum four injections) at a dose of 5, 2–5 or 1–5 μg/kg bodyweight in 35 cases. Improvement was evident within three to four days, and in 80 per cent of the cases clinical signs (abnormal behaviour, mammary gland swelling. milk secretion) had been significantly reduced or had disappeared within seven days. Treatment was successful in 95 per cent of the cases. Emesis was the only objectionable clinical side effect, being seen in 3 per cent of orally treated animals and necessitated withdrawal of one dog from the study. Vomiting occurred after the first (65-7 per cent) and second (22-9 per cent) injection only.