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  • 1.  Has anyone implemented megestrol acetate?

    Posted 12 days ago

    I'm in Phoenix, AZ where we have a huge feral cat overpopulation problem. I am trying to garner support for implementing megestrol acetate as an oral contraceptive in colony food. Does anyone have hands on experience? Thank you. 


    #CommunityCatManagement

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    Janice Lipsky
    President
    JLipsky agency
    AZ
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  • 2.  RE: Has anyone implemented megestrol acetate?

    Posted 5 days ago

    Just for my own curiosity how would you regulate the dosage and know which cat is eating this food and who isn't eating? I'm also curious about what else your shelter has done in regards to this issue? Are you able to spay/neuter and return outdoors? Do you have community members who take care of these cats that could bring them in to get spayed or neutered?



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    Laurel Nelson
    Cat Welfare Supervisor
    Nebraska Humane Society
    NE
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Has anyone implemented megestrol acetate?

    Posted 5 days ago

    Yes, there are numerous colonies here in Phoenix. The warm weather yields an extensive kitten season.  There are a few non-profits who help TNR, or loan traps and teach TNR, and many colony caretakers. The problem is most people don't have $ to pay for feral cat surgeries. But even when funds can be obtained, there is not enough help to meet the demand. 

    From everything I've read, it's optimal to tailor the dose to the cat, but to some extent colony caretakers can put the medication in the food of specific cats. It's not perfect, but in the scheme of thing, if it prevents pregnancies it's worth it.  



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    Janice Lipsky
    President
    JLipsky agency
    AZ
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Has anyone implemented megestrol acetate?

    Posted 5 days ago

    Maddies did a session on this topic about 4 yrs ago:  https://www.maddiesfund.org/megestrol-acetate-faq.htm

    ACC&D has done the most research recently:  https://www.acc-d.org/sex-steroids

    Here is another good resource from Alley Cat Allies.

    There are some folks in CT and CO that have been using it on their colonies for years with success. 

    https://www.littlewomanhome.org/community-care/slow-feral-cat-overpopulation-with-megestrol-acetate

    Good luck,  it would be interesting to see what you could do with this in combination with large scale neutering.   I have done some community wide neuter only(owned and unowned) events and seen a significant reduction in the number of kittens in the community and vets are usually able to participate in a campaign and do more neuters than spays.  

    You have a great state leader:  https://www.unitedspayalliance.org/az/.

        Maybe they can help too.  



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    Stacy LeBaron
    Head Cat
    The Community Cats Podcast
    Warren VT
    978-239-2090
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Has anyone implemented megestrol acetate?

    Posted 5 days ago

    Thank you for such a thorough and thoughtful response. I found Dr. Greenberg's blog post here on Maddies Fund after I made my original post. And I've learned of ACC&D. I'm putting a sort of literature review for the main entity here, ADLA. We have a paucity of resources in Phoenix. But hopefully we can kick something off. Thanks again, I am grateful for your comment. 



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    Janice Lipsky
    President
    JLipsky agency
    AZ
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    Original Message


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