Catosal 10% (Butaphosphan + B12): Complete Guide for Cattle, Horses, Dogs,

Catosal 10% is one of the most broadly useful injectable products in veterinary medicine — a Bayer-manufactured metabolic stimulant that combines organic phosphorus (as butaphosphan) with cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) in a single sterile solution. It is used across virtually every species from dairy cows and sport horses to dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, and poultry.

But Catosal is frequently misunderstood as simply a “B12 injection.” It is significantly more than that — and understanding what butaphosphan does, and why the combination matters, helps explain why it works where plain B12 alone often doesn’t.

This guide covers everything: how it works, what it treats in each species, the correct dose by animal type, the zero-day withdrawal period advantage, and how to combine it with other treatments.

What Is in Catosal 10%?

Each ml of Catosal contains:

Butaphosphan 100 mg — organic phosphorus providing 17.3 mg of highly bioavailable phosphorus per ml
Cyanocobalamin 0.05 mg — injectable vitamin B12
Excipients: n-butanol, sodium hydroxide, water for injection

It is presented as a clear pink sterile solution in a 100ml glass vial.

What Does Butaphosphan Do? (And Why It’s Not Just a B12 Shot)

Most vets and farmers are familiar with vitamin B12 injections for anaemia and poor condition. Catosal does contain B12 — but butaphosphan is what makes it categorically different from a standard cyanocobalamin injection.

Phosphorus is the backbone of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) — the molecule that every cell in every animal uses to power biochemical reactions. Without adequate phosphorus, cellular energy generation collapses. This is exactly what happens in downer cows with hypophosphataemia, in ketotic dairy cows, in debilitated post-surgical animals, and in animals under metabolic stress: phosphorus availability at the cellular level is depleted.

Butaphosphan provides this phosphorus in an organic, rapidly absorbed form that is directly utilised in ATP synthesis and phosphorylation pathways. It also stimulates gluconeogenesis (glucose production from non-sugar substrates) and glycogen formation in the liver — critical for animals in negative energy balance.

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) then supports the downstream metabolic machinery: haematopoiesis (red blood cell production), myelin synthesis, and the enzymatic processing of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. B12 deficiency impairs these pathways even when energy substrate is available.

Together, butaphosphan + B12 address both sides of the metabolic equation: energy substrate supply and cellular processing capacity. That synergy is why Catosal outperforms either component alone in clinical settings.

What Is Catosal Used For?

In Cattle — The Primary Use Case

Catosal is most widely used in cattle, where it has several established clinical applications:

Milk fever (hypocalcaemia) adjunct therapy: Used alongside calcium borogluconate to improve cellular energy availability and speed recovery. Many farmers include Catosal in all milk fever treatment kits.
Ketosis and negative energy balance: Catosal’s butaphosphan directly supports gluconeogenesis, helping cows in early lactation overcome energy deficit.
Retained placenta and metritis: Metabolic support post-calving, accelerating recovery.
Fertility treatment: Used in metaphylactic protocols to enhance fertility, ovarian function and conception rates in repeat breeders.
White muscle disease prevention in calves: Supports muscular development and combats selenium/vitamin E-responsive conditions alongside specific therapy.
Reduced dairy performance: Used as part of a general metabolic support protocol in herds with declining production.
Post-calving tonic: Many dairy farmers routinely administer Catosal to freshly calved cows to support the transition period metabolically.

In Horses

In horses, Catosal is used for azoturia (tying-up/lumbago) recovery, performance support in sport and working horses, post-illness recovery, and general metabolic toning. It helps mobilise energy reserves, supports glycogen resynthesis in muscle, and reduces recovery time after exertion-related metabolic stress.

In Pigs

Catosal is used in sows post-farrowing (especially in MMA syndrome recovery), in piglets with poor vitality and growth disorders, and as a general metabolic stimulant in growing pigs. It can be administered IM or SC.

In Sheep & Goats

Key applications include pregnancy toxaemia (twin lamb disease), post-lambing weakness, anaemia associated with Haemonchus and other bloodsucking parasites, and growth stimulation in lambs and kids.

In Dogs

Catosal is used in dogs for recovery from serious illness, surgery or prolonged debilitation, secondary anaemia (especially with chronic disease or parasitism), tetanic syndromes, paresis, and improving performance and stamina in working dogs. It is also given to stimulate growth in puppies. The dose is 0.5–5 ml depending on the dog’s size (SC, IM, or slow IV).

In Cats

Cats receive 0.5–2.5 ml (SC, IM, or IV) for recovery from illness, anaemia, poor condition, and nutritional deficiencies. It is useful in post-surgical recovery and in cats with hepatic lipidosis or other metabolic conditions impairing nutrient processing.

In Poultry (Drinking Water)

For poultry, Catosal is added directly to drinking water rather than injected: 1–1.5 ml per litre for chicks and young birds; 2–3 ml per litre for broilers and laying hens. It is used to accelerate growth, reduce moulting duration, and decrease cannibalism behaviours associated with metabolic stress.

Full Catosal Dosage Chart

Species	Route	Acute Dose	Maintenance / Tonic Dose
Cattle (adult)	IV preferred	10–25 ml	5–12.5 ml every 1–2 weeks
Calves	IV	5–12 ml	2.5–6 ml every 1–2 weeks
Horses	IV/IM/SC	10–25 ml	5–12.5 ml every 1–2 weeks
Foals	IV/IM/SC	5–12 ml	2.5–6 ml every 1–2 weeks
Pigs	IM/SC	2.5–10 ml	1.25–5 ml every 5–14 days
Piglets	IM/SC	1–2.5 ml	0.5–1.25 ml every 5–14 days
Sheep & Goats	IM/SC	2.5–8 ml	1.25–4 ml every 1–2 weeks
Lambs & Kids	IM/SC	1.5–2.5 ml	0.75–1.25 ml every 1–2 weeks
Dogs	IV/IM/SC	0.5–5 ml	0.25–2.5 ml every 1–2 weeks
Cats & fur animals	IV/IM/SC	0.5–2.5 ml	0.25–1.25 ml every 1–2 weeks
Poultry	Drinking water	2–3 ml/litre (broilers/layers)	1–1.5 ml/litre (chicks/young)

Split volumes over 10ml across multiple injection sites. For chronic conditions and tonic use in healthy animals, use half the acute dose.

The Zero Withdrawal Period — Why It Matters

Catosal carries a zero-day withdrawal period for meat, milk, and eggs. This is exceptional for an injectable veterinary product. It means:

Dairy cows can be treated and milked immediately with no need to discard milk
Beef cattle can be slaughtered the same day as treatment
Laying hens can continue producing eggs for human consumption
It can be used freely in organic systems and in animals close to slaughter without financial loss from withheld product

For farmers treating conditions like milk fever, ketosis, or postpartum complications — where multiple injections in early lactation are common — the zero milk withdrawal makes Catosal far more economical and practical than alternative treatments requiring milk discarding.

Catosal vs. Plain B12 Injections

Feature	Catosal 10%	Plain Cyanocobalamin (B12)
Active ingredients	Butaphosphan + Cyanocobalamin	Cyanocobalamin only
Phosphorus source	Yes — 17.3 mg/ml bioavailable	No
ATP / energy metabolism support	Direct via butaphosphan	Indirect only
Treats B12 deficiency anaemia	Yes	Yes
Supports ketosis / NEB recovery	Yes	Limited
Suitable for milk fever adjunct	Yes	No
Fertility and reproduction support	Yes	Limited
Withdrawal period	Zero days (meat, milk, eggs)	Varies by brand

Storage and Shelf Life

Store at 5–25°C, dark and dry — do not freeze
Shelf life unopened: 5 years
After opening: 28 days

Where to Buy Catosal 10%

You can order Catosal 10% (Butaphosphan + Vitamin B12) 100ml from PetShopBoss.com with free worldwide shipping. No prescription required for international orders.

Catosal 10% (Butaphosphan + B12): Complete Guide for Cattle, Horses, Dogs, Pigs & Cats – Dosage, Uses & Why the Zero Withdrawal Period Matters