Christiaan Blignaut, [16 May 2025 at 14:18:57]: Good afternoon, What will the effect of Deslorelin implants in a pregnant lioness be? If abortion is required, what can be used in lionesses besides Alizine? Zoe Glyphis, [16 May 2025 at 19:49:45]: Hi Christiaan Deslorelin will do nothing to the pregnancy. Alizine is only an option in early pregnancy, as are corticosteroids and prostaglandins, but the dose and frequency of administration makes this difficult to use in big cats. Zoe Glyphis, [17 May 2025 at 06:36:07]: Dinoprost doesn't have a very long half-life, so you'll probably end up having to give it twice a day and ideally, you'll need to keep giving it until you've scanned to confirm its effect. I'd be very concerned about adverse side effects like uterine rupture. Before you start any medication, I'd definitely scan (ultrasound) first and determine how old the foetuses are. If they are more than 30/35 days, then I'd just spay her. I'm also assuming this is a captive lion - if so, then I'd just advocate for spaying from the start. Alizine will cost you about R1800 a vial and if she's a big lioness, you are going to need about 6 to 8 vials (1ml/3kgs). It can definitely have a negative effect on lactation, as it's suppressing hormones necessary for lactation. Jacques ODell, [17 May 2025 at 08:05:18]: Hi Zoe I have successfully aborted a few lionesses with half the dog dose. I only did so once. These were free-ranging lions where they slipped up on contraception, so monitoring wasn’t good afterwards. But none gave birth and there were no obvious complications on follow up collaring or contraception operations. Zoe Glyphis, [17 May 2025 at 10:21:58]: Thanks Jacques! Did you scan prior to confirm pregnancy and age of the foetuses? Did you administer the 2 injections 24 hours apart? Jacques ODell, [17 May 2025 at 10:30:07]: No, but I could palpate them. I would guess they were 1 - 2 months old. I administered it once off only. I felt terrible afterward. But what is the lesser of two evils? To abort late, or to euthanise young healthy cubs? I personally won’t do it again
