Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate(Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate) - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate (DOCP) for dogs and cats is a long-acting injectable mineralocorticoid used to manage primary hypoadrenocorticism, commonly known as Addison's disease.

Addison's disease is most commonly diagnosed in young to middle-aged female dogs, with breeds such as Standard Poodles, Bearded Collies, and Portuguese Water Dogs being more prone to it.

In a healthy dog, the adrenal glands naturally produce a hormone called aldosterone, which tells the kidneys to keep the right balance of salt (sodium) and potassium in the blood. Dogs with Addison's disease cannot make enough of this hormone, leading to dangerous electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and severe illness. DOCP replaces this missing hormone. After injection under the skin or into the muscle, the medication dissolves slowly into the dog's system over an entire month. This steady, continuous release helps the kidneys retain salt and flush out extra potassium, keeping your dog's electrolyte levels stable and preventing life-threatening crises.

It works identically in cats. The depot formulation releases desoxycorticosterone steadily over the injection interval, maintaining mineralocorticoid receptor activation in the renal tubules and stabilising sodium and potassium balance. Cats with Addison's disease are uncommon but require lifelong mineralocorticoid replacement, as adrenal function does not recover. DOCP's monthly injection schedule can simplify long-term management for cats that resist daily tablet administration.

Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate (DOCP) dosage for dogs is weight-based and administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The standard initial injection interval is every 25 days. Electrolyte monitoring (sodium and potassium) is performed approximately 10 to 14 days after each injection and just before the next scheduled injection. This testing confirms whether the injection interval needs adjustment. Some dogs require a shorter interval of 21 to 23 days; others remain stable on 28 to 30 days. Your vet will individualise the schedule based on electrolyte results throughout the patient's life.

Concurrent low-dose prednisolone is administered daily at home to replace glucocorticoid function.

Cats may experience increased thirst and urination, hypertension, and fluid retention at excessive doses. Cats with pre-existing cardiac disease are at greater risk of complications from fluid overload. Any signs of laboured breathing, significant weight gain, or limb swelling in a cat on DOCP warrant prompt veterinary assessment to rule out fluid accumulation.

DOCP overdose in dogs causes excessive mineralocorticoid activity, leading to sodium and water retention, hypertension, hypokalaemia, and in severe cases, cardiovascular arrhythmias from low potassium. Because DOCP is a depot injection, its effects persist for weeks. Supportive management under veterinary supervision is required for the duration of the injection's activity. Contact your pet health expert immediately if overdose is suspected or if a dog develops sudden hypertension, significant oedema, or severe weakness.

Contact your vet immediately if your dog or cat develops sudden profound weakness, collapse, vomiting, reduced urine output, significant limb swelling, laboured breathing, or cardiovascular signs between DOCP injections. These may indicate electrolyte imbalance from an injection interval that is too long, a concurrent illness disrupting adrenal hormone requirements, or overdose effects. Also contact your vet before any surgical procedure or significant stressor, as stress dosing protocols are mandatory in Addisonian patients on DOCP.