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Ammonium Chloride

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Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Emergency

Routes

POIV

Indications

Struvite dissolution (urinary acidification)Urinary acidification

Mechanism of Action

Metabolized by liver releasing HCl and producing systemic acidification. Excreted renally as acidifying ammonium ion.

Side effects & warnings

Used for metabolic alkalosis and struvite urolith prevention/dissolution. Contraindicated in hepatic insufficiency (ammonia cannot be metabolized). Monitor blood pH and electrolytes.

Species with Ammonium Chloride dosing data (2 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Moderate×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by a published source

  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)PO100–200 mg/kgq12hModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Cat (Domestic)PO20–40 mg/kgq12hModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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