All owners of cats are faced with this phenomenon, when a cute fluffy lump turns into a creature screaming and putting everywhere odorous marks. This instinct of reproduction wakes up in the pet. One of the most common questions asked by the owners of cats to the veterinarian is "what to do so that she does not ask for a cat?" The most reliable way is sterilization, but not all owners of it are solved because of the complexity and cost of the operation. There are many more different drugs, for example, “Sex-barrier”, “Stop-sex” and others. But they all have a temporary effect and soon cease to act on the animal. In this case, the outlet for many owners is "Covinan" for cats. This injection protects pets for a long time from the problems associated with "sexual hunting." Among the "cat litter" she received the name "magic injection."
What is Covinan?
This is a suspension veterinary hormonal drug for injection. Its action is based on the main component - a synthetic analogue of the female hormone progesterone. This is proligestone, which is contained in 1 ml of the drug 100 mg. The basis of the suspension is distilled water. In addition to the hormone, substances are dissolved in it that improve its penetration and absorption: dihydrogen phosphate, sodium citrite, sorbitan and others. Doctors do not recommend an injection without the need for an animal. After all, this drug, like other hormonal drugs, is quite dangerous and can cause negative consequences.
What is Covinan used for?
This medicine is most often used to prevent estrus in cats. Hormonal drugs are used if the owners plan to someday get offspring from her. They protect the animal from unwanted pregnancy. Many have heard about this effect of the drug and use it on their own, not knowing about the features of the action. After all, veterinarians use "Covinan" in such cases:
- to prevent manifestations of sexual instinct in cats;
- for the prevention of false pregnancy and pseudo-lactation;
- in the complex treatment of false pregnancy ;
- in the event that the bearing of offspring is dangerous to the health and life of the animal.
As a contraceptive, “Covinan” for cats should be used to provide rest to thoroughbred producers in nurseries. Do not do without such a tool and those animals that are forbidden for medical sterilization.
The composition and characteristics of the drug
The main active ingredient of Covinan is proligestone. This synthetic hormone prevents estrus. It acts in several directions: it reduces the concentration of luteinizing hormone, increases the viscosity of mucus in the uterus and inhibits the activity of the mammary glands. This all provides contraception to the animal. In addition, proligestone also has such an effect:
- inhibits the development of the follicle, which prevents estrus;
- blocks the production of estradiol and other sex hormones;
- in addition to affecting the pituitary gland and estrogen receptors, it is able to change the metabolism in tissues.
"Covinan" for cats: instructions for use
The drug is administered strictly subcutaneously. Injections into the deeper layers of the skin or into muscle tissue should be avoided. Therefore, it is better if the specialist makes an injection for Covinan for cats. In addition, it is important to accurately observe the dosage depending on the purpose of the drug. To prevent sexual hunting, it is used in this dosage: 1 ml of suspension is introduced to an animal weighing up to 7 kilograms, and larger - 1.5 ml. In the treatment of pseudo-pregnancy, 1 ml of the drug is used, regardless of the weight of the cat. After the introduction of the drug, the cat's sexual cycle is restored about six months later. In order to avoid one estrus, the drug is administered once a month before its expected start.
Long-term contraception with Covinan
Sometimes injections are used to obtain a lasting effect. In this case, the drug provides a very low concentration of luteinizing hormone in the animal’s body and, accordingly, sexual rest. Proligestone is able to accumulate in fat cells and have a long-lasting effect. To do this, you need to regularly inject Covinan for cats. The instruction recommends that you follow them as follows:
- The first injection should be done after the end of estrus in the animal or a month before its expected start.
- Repeat the injection after three months.
- The next injection of “Covinan” - after 4 months.
- All further treatment consists of regular injections every 5 months.
It happens that against the background of the use of the drug, the cat still shows signs of estrus. In this case, you need to immediately make an extraordinary injection. After that, further injections continue according to the scheme, but the first must be done earlier for a month.
Who should not be injected
Despite the “magical” properties of the drug, not all owners can use it. It is advisable that an injection of “Covinan” be given in the veterinary clinic. Cats are examined before the injection, because the drug has many contraindications. You can not use it:
- during estrus;
- pregnant and lactating animals;
- those who have diseases of the genitourinary system;
- young cats before the first estrus;
- those with vaginal discharge;
- animals treated with hormonal preparations containing progestogens and estrogens.
Caution should be given to cats with diabetes. In this case, it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of glucose.
Side effects of the drug
It is important for those owners of cats who want to find a “magical” means of preventing sexual hunting, that such drugs cannot be completely safe. In addition to the fact that you need to follow special rules when conducting an injection, it is worthwhile to carry out treatment only after consulting a specialist. He will warn how Covinan can be dangerous for cats. Side effects do not occur so often, but they are rather unpleasant for the animal and its owner:
- many cats have increased appetite, and they begin to gain weight;
- some owners note lethargy and lethargy of the animal after treatment;
- the mammary glands may enlarge and even develop a tumor;
- purulent inflammation of the uterus sometimes occurs;
- endocrine system activity may be impaired;
- among local reactions, hair loss or lightening at the injection site is observed.
Application features
Unfortunately, some unscrupulous doctors sometimes give the animal an injection, despite contraindications. They succumb to the persuasion of the owner, who is tired of the cries of a cat and asks to do at least something. As a result, side effects are manifested. After all, the use of hormonal drugs is still unsafe.
Therefore, doctors recommend that those owners who decide to use Covinan for cats do this correctly:
- the drug is administered strictly subcutaneously; it must not be allowed to enter the soft tissues;
- an injection should be done only in the absence of estrus;
- before injection, the vial with the suspension should be shaken well, and the injection site should be thoroughly wiped with alcohol;
- the person who is injecting must take precautions to prevent the medicine from entering the mouth or mucous membranes.
Does cat behavior change after Covinan
This question interests all the owners who come to the veterinary clinic with a similar problem. Doctors are not always able to give a thorough answer and explain everything in detail. Therefore, it is advisable to know in advance what effect the drug “Covinan” has. Cats after its use become more docile and calm. The estrus no longer bothers them, so the residents of the house do not suffer from the concert of the neighboring cats. The animal becomes obedient and does not run away.
Reviews about the drug
There are animals that have been injected with Covinana for several years. They feel good, and the owners are generally happy. They note that the cat has become calm and docile. But doctors do not recommend treatment with the drug for life. With age, the animal is more likely to get complications.
Not everyone likes Covinan for cats. There are negative reviews about the drug. Some owners note that the treatment is quite expensive, and its application is complicated. The injection causes severe pain to the animal, so the cat will bite and break out.
There are also negative reviews not about the medicine itself, but about veterinarians. Some doctors give an injection without warning the owners of the possible consequences and without examining the cat. Therefore, the owners of the animal themselves should know when it is impossible to make an injection, because they will have to cope with its consequences.