1st May 2006

My 15-year-old collie bitch has to have a Retarbolin injection every month, but soon my vet may not be able to get hold of it anymore. What can I do?

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Question:

My 15-year-old collie bitch has to have a Retarbolin injection every month. There seems to be a problem with the supplier getting an ingredient for the vaccine. My vet has tried the nearest equivalent, but it did not work. This month I had to ring round to find another vet who had some and was willing to let me have 0.3mls. I am told by the supplier that this vaccine will not be available for the ‘foreseeable future’ and so, by the time the next injection is due, I will be lucky to find any supplies anywhere in the country. I am very worried that I may have to make the difficult decision to arrange an injection of a very different sort for her – because she will not be able to have a good quality of life without Retarbolin! I cannot seem to find another supplier (only one has a UK licence) and my search on the internet is not showing anything anywhere else. Any suggestions, please?

Answer:

Retarbolin contains a drug called nandrolone, which is a type of steroid, not a vaccination. It is used for the supportive management of chronic renal failure in dogs, but it’s thought that its function is to improve appetite and general ‘well being’, rather than having a specific action on kidney function. It is an injection licensed as an intra-muscular injection every 21 days. There are three alternative forms of nandrolone: Nandrolin and Laurabolin injections, and Nandoral tablets. Any of these treatments should have the same effect as the Retarbolin that has been given to your dog up to now. The Nandrolin injection has a duration of effect of six or seven days, whereas the Laurabolin lasts as long as Retarbolin. These drugs are readily available; your vet will be able to obtain them, if they are not already in stock. You have probably already discussed other forms of treatment for kidney disease in older dogs, such as dietary management. However, if the problem is not kidney-related and the injection is being given as a general monthly pick-me-up, your vet may wish to prescribe a dietary supplement such as Aktivait, which is designed to help reduce age-related loss in mental function and activity levels. Alternatively, Hill’s Prescription Diet ‘Canine b/d’ is a very good old-dog diet designed to help counter the development of signs of brain ageing, such as disorientation, reduced social interaction, disturbed sleep patterns and loss of house-training. It may be helpful in your situation.