Dexafort
Active substance
ATC code
Species
Horses, cattle, dogs and cats.
Indications
The product is indicated for use as an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agent in horses, cattle, dogs and cats, and for the treatment of primary ketosis in cattle. The product can also be used to induce parturition in cattle.
Dose to be administered and administration route
Before use shake vial upright thoroughly for 30 seconds.
Dexafort should be administered by intramuscular injection using normal aseptic techniques by use of a min. 21 G cannula. .
Dexafort should be administered by intramuscular injection using normal aseptic techniques.
To measure small volumes of less than 1 ml a suitably graduated syringe should be used to ensure accurate administration of the correct dose.
For the treatment of inflammatory or allergic conditions the following average doses are advised. However the advised dose used should be determined by the severity of the signs and the length of time for which they have been present.
|
Species |
Dosage |
|
Horses, cattle |
1 ml/50 kg |
|
Dog, cat |
0.5 ml/10 kg |
the treatment of primary ketosis in cattle (acetonaemia)
A dose of 5-10 ml dependent on the size of the cow. Since blood sugar levels
rise rapidly following injection of the product, through the action of dexamethasone sodium phosphate and raised levels are maintained for several days, the product is particularly useful in cases that present late and there is seldom a need to repeat the dose.
In the case of cows in poor bodily condition, to avoid prolonged stimulation of gluconeogenesis at the expense of body fat reserves, use a product containing only the quick-acting ester.
For the induction of parturition
The product may be used to induce parturition in cattle in the last trimester and before day 260 of pregnancy. Where this is required e.g. in the cases of trauma to the cow or possibly because the date of calving is not known a single dose of 10 ml followed 6-12 days later by an injection of a short acting corticosteroid such as dexamethasone sodium phosphate alone is recommended. In the majority of cases parturition will be induced within 3 days of the second injection.
Adverse reactions
Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, are known to exert a wide range of side-effects. Whilst single high doses are generally well tolerated, they may induce severe side-effects in long term use and when esters possessing a long duration of action are administered. Dosage in medium to long term use should therefore generally be kept to the minimum necessary to control symptoms.
Steroids themselves, during treatment, may cause Cushingoid symptoms involving significant alteration of fat, carbohydrate, protein and mineral metabolism, e.g. redistribution of body fat, muscle weakness and wastage and osteoporosis may result. During therapy effective doses suppress the hypothalamo-pituitreal-adrenal axis. Following cessation of treatment, symptoms of adrenal insufficiency extending to adrenocortical atrophy can arise and this may render the animal unable to deal adequately with stressful situations. Consideration should therefore be given to means of minimising problems of adrenal insufficiency following the withdrawal of treatment, eg dosing to coincide with the time of the endogenous cortisol peak (ie in the morning with regard to dogs and the evening re cats) and a gradual reduction of dosage (for further discussion see standard texts).
Systematically administered corticosteroids may cause polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia, particularly during the early stages of therapy. Some corticosteroids may cause sodium and water retention and hypokalaemia in long term use. Systemic corticosteroids have caused deposition of calcium in the skin (calcinosis cutis).
Corticosteroids may delay wound healing and the immunosuppressant actions
may weaken resistance to or exacerbate existing infections. In the presence of bacterial infection, antibacterial drug cover is usually required when steroids are used. In the presence of viral infections, steroids may worsen or hasten the progress of the disease.
In very rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions might occur.
Care should be taken when the product is used for the treatment of laminitis in horses, where there is a possibility that such treatment could worsen the condition. The use of the product in horses for other conditions could induce laminitis and careful observations during the treatment period should be made. Use of the product in lactating cows may cause a reduction in milk yield.
If the product is used for induction of parturition in cattle, then a high incidence of retained placentae may be experienced and possible subsequent metritis and/or subfertility.
During a course of treatment the situation should be reviewed frequently by close veterinary supervision.
Systemic corticosteroid therapy is generally contra-indicated in patients with renal disease and diabetes mellitus. Gastro-intestinal ulceration has been reported in animals treated with corticosteroids and g.i.t. ulceration may be exacerbated by steroids in patients given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and in animals with spinal cord trauma. Steroids may cause enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly) with increased serum hepatic enzymes.
