Editorial Process

ExoticRx is a derived clinical reference. Every dose rule on the site is sourced from published primary literature, established veterinary references, or peer-reviewed pharmacokinetic data. This page documents the methodology — what counts as a source, how evidence is graded, how often entries are reviewed, and how you can flag an error.

Source hierarchy

Sources are categorised in roughly the following order of preference:

1. Species-specific peer-reviewed pharmacokinetic studies. The gold standard. Prospective PK trials in the target species, published in peer-reviewed veterinary journals (e.g. JAVMA, Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery,Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine).
2. Species-specific clinical case series. Multi- patient retrospective or prospective clinical reports that quantify dose, response, and adverse-event rate in the target species.
3. Established exotic-pet reference texts. Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery; the BSAVA Manual series; the Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook; the FDA Green Book; FARAD (for food-animal withdrawal data).
4. Single-author expert opinion. Textbook chapters, conference proceedings, and continuing-education materials authored by recognised exotic-animal specialists. Used when no higher-tier source exists in the target species.
5. Cross-species extrapolation. Doses derived from data in a related species — clearly flagged on the page with the Extrapolated evidence badge.

Evidence grading

Every dose rule carries one of five evidence levels, surfaced on the relevant drug page and aggregated as the “evidence summary” trust signal. The grades are independent of how recent the source is and reflect the strength of the underlying data, not its publication date.

• Strong — species-specific peer-reviewed PK data or large clinical case series. Highest confidence.
• Moderate — species-specific case series or established expert consensus. Reasonable confidence; clinical response should still guide individual dosing.
• Weak — small case series or single-author opinion. Use is reasonable in absence of stronger evidence, warrants close monitoring.
• Anecdotal — clinical reports without formal peer review. Use with caution; consider alternatives.
• Extrapolated — derived from a related species without species-specific data. Lowest confidence; particularly common in less-studied species. Document clinical reasoning and monitor carefully.

Review cadence

New entries are reviewed before publication and existing entries are re-reviewed at minimum every 24 months — sooner when new evidence emerges that materially changes a recommendation. Each drug page surfaces a last reviewed date so a clinician can assess freshness at a glance.

Triggers for an off-cycle review include:

• Publication of a new species-specific PK study that contradicts a current rule.
• Regulatory action (FDA, EMA, or jurisdiction-equivalent) affecting drug availability or label.
• A reasonably-supported error report from a clinician via the in-app form.
• Withdrawal-period or residue-data updates from FARAD or the FDA Green Book affecting a food-animal entry.

Error reporting

ExoticRx is a clinical reference; an incorrect dose can harm a patient. We treat error reports seriously and prioritise them ahead of feature work. Reports are reviewed by an editorial clinician within 48 hours and the result published on the affected page.

To file a report, use the in-app error report form. Please include the drug, the species, the specific dose value or rule you believe is wrong, and the source(s) supporting the correction. We credit reporters on the affected page when the correction is published, unless the reporter prefers to remain anonymous.

Conflict of interest

ExoticRx is independently operated and is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical manufacturer. We accept no compensation, free product, or sponsored placement from drug manufacturers or distributors. Subscription revenue is the sole source of funding for the editorial team.

What ExoticRx is, and is not

ExoticRx is a derived reference and a calculation tool. It is not a primary literature publisher; every entry cites the upstream source, and that upstream source is the appropriate citation for chart documentation, scholarly work, or formal protocol development. ExoticRx is appropriate as:

• A point-of-care calculator for weight-based dosing with cited dose ranges.
• A reference index for finding the cited primary source on a given drug-species pair.
• A learning tool for veterinary students and exotic-pet practitioners.

Outputs are intended for licensed veterinary professionals and are not a substitute for clinical judgement. Always verify against current literature before prescribing.

Questions about the methodology that aren't answered here? Get in touch.