Anti-binge drugs for cats: a review of drops and tablets

In the spring or during the period of sexual heat, which began at another time, the owners of non-castrated cats and non-sterilized cats begin to go crazy. Walking time in cats is accompanied by increased excitability, anxiety, and endless unpleasant guttural screams. The cats begin to mark their territory, the cats roll on the floor with an inviting purr. There are two ways to stop the period of walking in cats - sterilize, which is more correct, or choose a temporary solution by giving your pet hormonal tablets or drops.

For those cases when there is no opportunity or desire to use the services of a veterinarian for sterilization, we have prepared a rating of the best remedies for cats.

Hormonal

Hormonal drugs are more effective, but their use is associated with greater risk for the cat. Among the hormonal drugs most often prescribed are the following:

1. "Sex Barrier". It has a combined effect; it contains two active ingredients – mepregenol acetate and ethinyl estradiol. They suppress the production of hormones in the hypothalamus (GnRH) and thus inhibit the synthesis of sex hormones.
2. “Stop intimacy.” The active ingredient, megestrol acetate, affects the production of hormones in the pituitary gland (FSH, LH), which also suppresses sexual function in cats.
3. "Contrasex." The drug contains ethinyl estradiol, butamepregenol. Their effect blocks the production of hormones in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
4. "Gestrenol". The active ingredients are mepregenol propionate and ethinyl estradiol. It inhibits the production of gonadoliberins in the hypothalamus, and also changes the biological properties of mucus in the cervix and the state of the endometrium, thus providing a contraceptive effect.

The action of all hormones is very similar. They differ not in the mechanism of action, but in the specific active ingredients and manufacturer.

Effect on the cat's body

The thoughtless use of any contraceptive drugs can provoke hormonal imbalance, the development of endometriosis, pyometra, cancer and other serious health problems. They can also lead to disruption of the animal's reproductive function and its ability to bear viable offspring (kittens are stillborn). Therefore, before use, you should at least carefully study the instructions, adhere to the recommended dosages and take into account the initial state of health of the pet, and even better, first consult with a veterinarian. But even in such conditions, the risk of complications is quite high.

Hormonal contraceptives are categorically not suitable for pregnant and lactating individuals, animals with chronic pathologies or tumor formations of the reproductive system. Such drugs are also not recommended in the presence of diabetes mellitus and endocrine disorders.

Most veterinarians confirm the negative effects of contraceptives on the body of cats, especially when used regularly. To prevent unwanted pregnancy, it is recommended to use drugs no more than 1-2 times and only for young, completely healthy individuals. If your pet has chronic diseases or is simply elderly, contraceptives can cause even more harm. From the point of view of breeders and veterinarians, the only correct and safe method to prevent an animal from becoming pregnant is sterilization.

As for the use of birth control pills after childbirth, they should not be given during the very first estrus, as well as during the feeding period of kittens, which can lead to poisoning of the offspring. The best option here would also be sterilization after the kittens grow up.

Drops

Drugs in this form are much easier to “feed” to a cat, since the liquid solution can be added to food and drink, whereas this is difficult to do with tablets. Today, in any veterinary clinic you can purchase many suitable drops, but most often they give preference to the following:

• Cat Baiyun;
• Contra sex;
• Sex barrier.

Contra-sex and Sex-barrier products operate on approximately the same principle: they are both hormonal and lead to the suppression of the animal’s sexual instinct. The drops are oil-based and are available in standard bottles equipped with a dropper dispenser. As a result of the use of these drugs, the cat temporarily loses its sexual instinct and, accordingly, stops hunting attempts. Note that the drugs are independently eliminated from the cat’s body after 15 days.

Hormonal drops Sex Barrier lead to a noticeable decrease in sexual desire in cats. The animal's excitement subsides, and its behavior becomes “socially acceptable.”

Stop intimate

This is a milder remedy than Sex Barrier, but also hormonal. The product is used when the cat’s sexual instinct is not too clearly expressed.

Gestrenol

This hormonal-based remedy will help quickly reduce your cat’s sexual activity and calm him down. Note that this drug is now chosen by both private cat owners and professional breeders. Gestrenol in the form of drops can naturally affect sexual behavior, inhibiting it. In addition, the product reduces the aggressiveness of the animal, eliminates such a side effect of the sexual instinct as “marking” the territory.

Features of the action of veterinary contraceptives

Drugs for regulating sexual behavior in cats are synthetic analogues of natural hormones. The most common products contain analogues of progestins (gestagens). They act on the body almost like progesterone, synthesized by the corpus luteum of the ovaries.

When used correctly, these medications will stop or prevent your cat from going into heat. If you give progestin drugs to a cat during anestrus (sexual rest), the synthesis of the hormone that triggers estrus (FSH) does not occur. The drug must be given constantly, as indicated in the instructions, usually once every week or two, without missing a dose. The duration of the course is no more than 18 months (less is allowed).

If you give a progestin drug at the stage of active follicular growth, during the period of proestrus (pre-estrus), then it inhibits the synthesis of follicle-stimulating hormone, and the growth of follicles slows down and later stops. As a result, there is no estrogen release, and signs of estrus disappear. We can say that progestins simulate the luteal phase (corpus luteum phase) of the cycle.

Alternative to injections for estrus

Suprelorin is a peptide-based contraceptive implant containing the active substance deslorelin. It is used for temporary castration of animals with the possibility of restoring reproductive function. The implant is inserted subcutaneously, a slow release of the hormone occurs, suppressing the production of pituitary hormones and, accordingly, sex hormones. This leads first to a sharp increase in sexual activity, and then to its complete suppression. The effect is achieved 6 weeks after insertion of the implant and lasts in cats for an average of 6 to 24 months.

The implant size is only 2.3 by 12.5 mm. It is located in the needle of a syringe-pusher, with which the doctor inserts the implant into the cat’s withers. The procedure is simple and safe; it is carried out in a similar way to microchipping. Of the side effects of this drug, only a local reaction of the injection site is described: swelling, inflammation, which, as a rule, go away on their own.

Although the drug is currently only licensed for dogs and ferrets, its use in cats is gaining momentum. Suprelorin has established itself as the safest method of hormonal contraception in these animals.

Limitations: This contraceptive is not recommended for use in young cats who have not reached sexual maturity, as there are not enough studies to confirm its safety in this category.

A comprehensive solution to the problem - sterilization

When a cat goes into heat, it is due to hormonal changes in her body; these are natural processes that should lead to procreation. If you do not plan to regularly breed, the reproductive organs will not be involved, which will subsequently lead to disruptions in the functioning of many body systems. Sterilization and castration allow you to solve the problem in a complex way, preventing behavioral problems, inflammatory processes, and the occurrence of neoplasms, while injections often contribute to them.

Spaying your cat before her first heat reduces the risk of mammary tumors by more than 90%!

It should be remembered that when using any hormonal drugs, the risks of complications are too high. It is hardly worth exposing your furry pet to danger once again.

You should know!

Veterinary contraceptives are medicines! They should be considered as medicinal drugs taken as prescribed by a doctor, as well as means for emergency interruption of estrus or its delay, used only

in the absence of contraindications and
strictly
at the agreed time. And you certainly shouldn’t consider taking hormonal medications as a lifelong alternative to sterilization - they only allow you to postpone the operation for a certain period.

As practice shows, owners rarely consult with specialists, believing that the cat already looks healthy. But the consequences of such ill-considered use of drugs can be very upsetting for the owner. Later, the cat still has to be sterilized, but for medical reasons.

If the cat is not being used for breeding, have it spayed while it is young and healthy enough. Use contraceptives only as a temporary measure.

Types of contraceptives

The market for veterinary pharmacological preparations offers a wide range of contraceptives. Their action can be aimed at suppressing the production of sex hormones, suppressing the desire to mate, preventing unwanted pregnancy and correcting the psycho-emotional state during estrus.

Based on their composition, they can be grouped into 3 groups:

1. High-dose hormonal
   (based on synthetic hormones). They provoke a false pregnancy with the corresponding symptoms, respectively, the cat has the feeling that the function of procreation has been completed.
2. Low-dose hormonal.
   They belong to the modern generation of contraceptives that suppress sexual desire.
3. Natural.
   They are made on the basis of herbal components, help suppress sexual activity, and have a mild sedative effect.

Manufacturers offer these drugs in different release forms.

Injections

Contraceptive injections for cats have a long period of action (4 to 6 months), during which they will not be in heat. It is recommended to entrust the initial administration of the selected drug to a veterinarian, and all subsequent injections can be done independently a few days before the date of the expected estrus. Among the main advantages: prolonged effect and practically 100% result, but a high risk of side effects and complications. Additional inconvenience may be directly related to the injection procedure: if the animal owner does not have such experience, the help of a partner who can hold the pet will most likely be required.

Injections should not be given to pregnant females, as well as to individuals over 5 years old, if this contraceptive option has not previously been used for them.

Pills

The contraceptive effect of pills can be achieved through the use of synthetic hormones or natural ingredients. The former are considered more effective, but can negatively affect the animal’s body. The latter are virtually harmless, but have a shorter effect, which increases the risk of unwanted pregnancy. In addition, you need to get used to feeding the tablet to your pet so that he cannot spit it out.

Drops

Drops (oral or on the withers) have properties similar to birth control pills and injections, differing from them only in the form of release. The latter also makes it easier to use: it’s easier to drop the solution into the cat’s mouth, and she won’t be able to spit it out. They should be used no later than two days before the start of estrus.

The form of release of contraceptives depends on the composition: herbal preparations are available only in tablets or drops, hormonal drugs - in any of 3 forms.

Rules of application

Drops are not the only form of anti-party drugs. There are also tablets and injections. However, drops are the most convenient to use (unlike injections). In addition, drops are easier to feed than tablets.

How to give the drug to a cat? There are several methods:

• drip the product onto the root of the tongue;
• If the cat resists, you can mix the drops with food.

Something else interesting: Rules for choosing and using eye drops for cats

The mode of application may also differ. In some cases, drops are used directly during estrus, in others, the drug is given in advance before the first symptoms appear. It is much safer for the cat to use the drops in advance. This is due to the fact that with preventive treatment, the dose of the drug is slightly smaller, and, accordingly, the effect on the pet’s body is less and the risk of side effects is lower.