Testosterone
Also known as: Depo-Testosterone, Delatestyl, AndroGel, Testopel, Synovex
### 🐾 What is Testosterone used for? Testosterone is a male hormone used primarily in veterinary medicine to treat **urinary incontinence** in neutered male dogs and cats. It helps restore the muscle tone of the urethra to prevent urine leakage. ### 💊 How is it given? It is typically administered as an injection (into the muscle or under the skin) by your veterinarian. The effects of a single injection can last for several weeks depending on the specific formulation used. ### ⚠️ Important Safety Warnings > **PREGNANCY WARNING**: Testosterone can cause severe birth defects. **Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant MUST NOT handle this medication** or come into contact with the injection site or bodily fluids of recently treated animals. ### 🔍 What to Monitor Contact your veterinarian if you notice any of the following: - **Behavioral changes**: Increased aggression, mounting, or restlessness. - **Straining to urinate or defecate**: This could indicate an enlarged prostate. - **Lumps near the tail base**: May indicate perianal tumors or hernias.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Infertility or reduced libido
- Testosterone-responsive urinary incontinence (may be used with phenylpropanolamine) in males
- To produce an estrus-detector (teaser) animal (cull cows, heifers, steers)
- To produce an estrus-detector (teaser) animal (cull cows, heifers, steers)
- Testosterone-responsive urinary incontinence (may be used with phenylpropanolamine) in males
- Testosterone-responsive urinary incontinence
- Testosterone-responsive urinary incontinence
- Testosterone-responsive urinary incontinence
- Estrus control
- To reduce mammary gland enlargement seen in pseudopregnancy
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Perianal adenomas
- Perineal hernias
- Prostatic disorders (enlargement)
- Behavior changes (aggression)
- Polycythemia (at high doses)
- Oligospermia or infertility (in intact males with chronic use)
Cautions & contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to the drug
- Prostate carcinoma
- Pregnancy (FDA Category X / Papich Class D)
- Use with caution in patients with renal, cardiac, or hepatic dysfunction. **Teratogenic Warning**: Contraindicated in pregnancy; causes congenital malformations and embryotoxicity. It is unknown if androgens are excreted in milk; consider milk replacers for nursing patients. Testosterone is a C-III controlled substance.
Drug interactions
- Corticosteroids: May enhance the edema associated with ACTH or adrenal steroid therapy
- Insulin / Oral Antidiabetic Agents: Testosterone may decrease serum glucose levels
- Propranolol: Testosterone cypionate may increase propranolol clearance
- Warfarin: Testosterone may increase anticoagulant effects
Frequently asked questions
What is Testosterone used for in pets?
### 🐾 What is Testosterone used for? Testosterone is a male hormone used primarily in veterinary medicine to treat **urinary incontinence** in neutered male dogs and cats. It helps restore the muscle tone of the urethra to prevent urine leakage. ### 💊 How is it given? It is typically administered as an injection (into the muscle or under the skin) by your veterinarian. The effects of a single injection can last for several weeks depending on the specific formulation used. ### ⚠️ Important Safety Warnings > **PREGNANCY WARNING**: Testosterone can cause severe birth defects. **Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant MUST NOT handle this medication** or come into contact with the injection site or bodily fluids of recently treated animals. ### 🔍 What to Monitor Contact your veterinarian if you notice any of the following: - **Behavioral changes**: Increased aggression, mounting, or restlessness. - **Straining to urinate or defecate**: This could indicate an enlarged prostate. - **Lumps near the tail base**: May indicate perianal tumors or hernias.
Is Testosterone safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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