Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a prescription medication that acts as a synthetic form of progesterone, a female sex hormone. Used in humans as a form of birth control, veterinarians sometimes prescribe medroxyprogesterone acetate to treat behavior disorders in cats.
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Significance
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The U.S. Food and Drug administration has not approved medroxyprogesterone acetate for use in animals, but veterinarians are still able legally to prescribe the medication.
Uses
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Medroxyprogesterone acetate is used to treat urinary spraying in male cats, control aggression and prevent male cats from mounting and humping, according to PetPlace.com.
Features
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Veterinarians typically administer medroxyprogesterone acetate through an injection.
Time Frame
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Your cat will most likely require an injection every three to four months to control unwanted behaviors, according to PetPlace.com.
Risks
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Side effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate in cats include hair loss at the site of the injection, increased appetite or thirst, weight gain and lethargy, according to Wedgewood Pharmacy. The injections pose a risk for an increase in blood sugar or the onset of diabetes in cats, tumors in the mammary glands and uterine infections in females that are not spayed.
Considerations
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If your cat has a history of diabetes or uterine bleeding, or is pregnant, nursing or has not reached puberty or her first heat, it is not safe for it to take medroxyprogesterone acetate, warns Wedgewood Pharmacy.
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