Testosterone
Testosterone is an androgen and anabolic hormone.
Group
Androgen and anabolic hormone
Mechanism of Action
Androgen-receptor activation promotes androgenic and anabolic effects; injectable esters prolong delivery.
Dose Rates
Dogs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Androgen support with cypionate | 1–2 mg/kg | IM | Every 336–672 h | Do not use in: Pregnancy, Animals intended for food; Cypionate ester specifically; every 2-4 weeks. |
| Androgen support with propionate | Reference only | IM | Do not use in: Pregnancy, Animals intended for food; Propionate ester 0.5-1 mg/kg IM two or three times per week. Exact evenly spaced hourly schedule is not specified. |
Cats
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Androgen support with cypionate | 1–2 mg/kg | IM | Every 336–672 h | Do not use in: Pregnancy, Animals intended for food; Cypionate ester specifically; every 2-4 weeks. |
| Androgen support with propionate | Reference only | IM | Do not use in: Pregnancy, Animals intended for food; Propionate ester 0.5-1 mg/kg IM two or three times per week. Exact evenly spaced hourly schedule is not specified. |
Indications
- Reported androgen replacement or anabolic support
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Hepatic disease requires caution; reported guidance excludes injections in animals intended for food.
Adverse effects
- Masculinization, prostatic hyperplasia and hepatic effects.
Toxicity
Specific acute-overdose information is limited; excessive androgenic effects and hepatic or fluid-retention complications require assessment.
Preparations
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testosterone cypionate 100 mg/mL | Injection | 100 mg / mL | IM |
| Testosterone cypionate 200 mg/mL | Injection | 200 mg / mL | IM |
| Testosterone propionate 100 mg/mL | Injection | 100 mg / mL | IM |
Monitoring and Administration
Monitor hepatic enzymes and androgenic effects. Veterinary clinical efficacy is not well established.
Oil formulations must be protected from heat, light and freezing.
Male canine urinary-incontinence reports: cypionate 2.2 mg/kg IM every 4-8 weeks, or 200 mg IM every 30 days; propionate 2-2.2 mg/kg IM/SC every 2-3 days or three times weekly. Feline propionate 5-10 mg IM as needed and mixed-ester infertility 0.1-1 mg IM/SC every 2-3 days for 3-5 injections are separate ester protocols.
Estrus control and pseudopregnancy reports use cypionate or enanthate rather than testosterone base. Bovine teaser-animal protocols use staged propionate/enanthate loading and large depot doses; they are not routine replacement regimens and require food-animal authorization assessment.