EX-5 for cats

EX-5 is a hormonal medication used to stop and prevent heat in cats. It is also effectively used as a contraceptive to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The medication is manufactured by the renowned Russian company Agrovetzashchita.

General description

Cats in heat are accompanied by constant meowing, significant behavioral changes, aggression, and other unpleasant symptoms. This causes considerable inconvenience to owners. Cats in heat also exhibit a different behavior than usual, as they meow for mates, mark their territory, and engage in other mischief. A specially developed veterinary medication, EKS-5, can help prevent or eliminate this problem.

It is produced in two forms:

• Drops for oral administration. This suspension is usually white, although a yellowish tint may be present. It separates easily during storage, so shake well before use to ensure even distribution of the components. Polymer bottles with droppers are used to dispense the medicinal liquid, allowing for easy measurement of the required number of drops for treatment.
• Tablets (designated EX-5t). These small tablets have a flat, smooth surface and are white. Occasionally, they may have a light gray or yellowish tint. They are packaged in blisters of 10 tablets.

The active ingredient in both the drops and tablets is the same. The medication's contraceptive action is due to its content of megestrol acetate, a synthetic hormonal substance widely used in human and veterinary pharmacology.

There are no special storage conditions for this medication. The main thing is to keep it out of direct sunlight and at a temperature between 5 and 30˚C.

Properties and operating principle

Mecestrol acetate has a progestogenic effect, meaning it interferes with the hormones involved in follicle maturation, thereby disrupting this process. The medication's contraceptive effect is due to the active ingredient's following properties:

• increases the viscosity of mucus;
• causes changes in the endometrium;
• reduces contractions in the uterus.

Thanks to this effect, the likelihood of conception, even with accidental mating, is virtually eliminated. A key feature of this medication is that its active ingredient suppresses the production of hormones that trigger sexual desire in cats. Because of this, EKS-5 is successfully used for both females and males.

The drug has the following effects on animals:

• inhibits ovulation;
• interrupts estrus;
• reduces libido in males;
• corrects behavior during sexual hunting;
• reduces aggressiveness.

The active ingredient restores the animal's normal behavior. The pet stops screaming, marking its territory, or otherwise expressing a desire to mate with a member of the opposite sex. The medication has a calming effect on both male and female cats.

The drug is largely eliminated from the body within 15 days after discontinuing treatment as metabolites. If the dosage and schedule are strictly followed, the animal's sexual cycle will eventually resume once the drug's effects wear off.

Please note! It is not recommended to use EX-5 on pets without consulting a doctor, as it may cause serious pathological changes in the body.

Indications for use

According to the instructions, EX-5 is used for cats:

• to prevent or delay estrus;
• to stop sexual activity;
• to prevent pregnancy in case of accidental mating.

The drug is highly effective, but experts do not recommend its continuous use, as it can cause serious health problems. If you don't plan to breed from the female, it's best to have her spayed.

For cats, EKS-5 is used to reduce sexual activity and correct behavior.

Price

The price of EX-5 depends on the dosage form:

• tablets, 10 pcs. – 110-140 rubles;
• drops, 2 ml – 170-210 rubles.

The medication is sold both in regular veterinary pharmacies and online animal pharmacies.

How to apply

The specifics of using the drug depend on the form of release.

Drops

The instructions for use state that EKS-5 drops should be applied to the tongue of cats. If this procedure is too difficult, the medication can be mixed with a small amount of food. It's best to choose a suitable solution for this purpose. treatsthat the animal likes, so that there are no problems with eating.

The dosage regimen depends on the purpose for which the drug is used:

1. To prevent a female dog from going into heat, administer 4 drops of EKS-5 suspension once a week or 8 drops every two weeks. It's important to begin the course between heat cycles. Treatment should last no more than 1.5 years.
2. If a cat goes into heat, the medication is administered daily, with a single dose of 8 drops. It is important to begin treatment no later than the third day after the onset of signs of heat. Continue treatment for 5-7 days until symptoms completely resolve and the animal's behavior stabilizes.
3. To stop sexual activity in cats, the medication is given 8 drops daily for 5-7 days, until the pet stops marking territory, meowing loudly, or showing restlessness.

Please note! Missing doses may reduce the medication's effectiveness. If you don't take it as directed, the medication may not provide reliable protection against unwanted pregnancy.

Pills

According to the instructions for use, EKS-5t should be given whole to cats. To ensure that the animal swallowed a pill, it should be placed on the back of the tongue. Since this procedure is difficult for some pet owners, you can try another approach. First, crush the tablet into a powder, then mix it with a small amount of your pet's favorite treat.

To delay estrus, females are given one tablet every two weeks or half a tablet every seven days. The dosage is the same for all cats, regardless of weight, breed, or age. Do not use this medication for more than 18 months. Before starting a new course, wait until the reproductive cycle has resumed, meaning a normal estrus cycle has occurred.

To stop estrus, females are given one tablet daily. Treatment continues until symptoms of sexual activity completely disappear. The course typically lasts 5-7 days.

Please note! Hormonal abortion pills can be used no more than twice a year.

To calm a male cat's desire to mate with a female cat, the medication is administered daily. A single dose is one tablet. The course of treatment can last up to 7 days, depending on the specifics of the male's sexual activity and the effect of the medication on the body. It is important that the symptoms of sexual activity completely cease. To prevent recurrence and fully stabilize the animal's behavior, one tablet should be administered weekly.

When the drug is contraindicated

Since the drug is based on a synthetic hormone, EKS-5 has a number of contraindications. Its use should be avoided in the following cases:

• at pyometra, endometritis and other diseases of the reproductive system;
• in diabetes mellitus;
• during lactation;
• when carrying offspring.

Please note! Do not use this medication on female cats before their first heat cycle. Do not use this medication on male cats before puberty.

If there are breast tumors, EKS-5 can provoke their active growth, so its use in such cases should also be avoided.

The instructions state that when administered as directed and as prescribed, EKS-5 drops and tablets do not cause any side effects in cats. However, with prolonged use, the following symptoms may occur:

• weight gain;
• depressed state;
• increased appetite;
• breast enlargement;
• change in behavior (manifestation of aggression, etc.).

Doctors say that long-term use of hormonal contraceptives can cause serious health problems, such as pyometra or endometritis. This is because the medication disrupts the animal's natural bodily processes and can cause pathological changes.

Owner reviews

Nina, owner of a 3-year-old cat:

"Surviving our cat's heat cycle is like surviving a natural disaster. She simply goes crazy during this period. We initially tried Kot Bayun, but there were no results. Then, on the pharmacist's recommendation, we bought EKS-5t. We administered one tablet until the heat symptoms subsided. Within two days, the cat became calmer, and after three more, she returned to her normal routine. We used the medication for two years, but then Faina started having health problems. The vet said hormones could be the cause."

Dmitry, owner of a British cat:

"When our cat 'wanted girls,' he started calling them from all over the neighborhood. He screamed day and night. We had to find ways to calm him down. We bought some EX-5 drops at the pharmacy. They worked quickly. The cat really did calm down. But later we had him neutered because the doctor said it wasn't a good idea to overuse the medication."

Veterinarian Reviews

Albina, a veterinarian with 8 years of experience:

"I am categorically against the use of hormonal contraceptives, including EKS-5, on animals. They always leave a negative impact on their health. However, this often doesn't become apparent right away."

Marina, a veterinarian with 6 years of experience:

"It's an effective but unsafe remedy. I recommend using it only in extreme cases, when herbal remedies aren't helping. And if you don't want offspring, the animal should be spayed or neutered. Surgery is the only way to health."

Read also:

• Sex Barrier for Cats
• Covinan for cats
• Gestrenol – drops and tablets for cats