ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/betamethasone
US brand names:Celestone
Potent synthetic glucocorticoid reducing inflammation, pruritus, and cell proliferation. Binds intracellular glucocorticoid receptors modulating gene transcription.
Potent topical steroid — skin atrophy with prolonged use. Systemic absorption possible especially through damaged skin. Avoid occlusive dressings. Use lowest effective potency.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
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.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | Topical | Avoid prolonged use (skin atrophy) | q12-24h | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1440 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.127, Betamethasone (Systemic) monograph spanning p.127-129; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Cat (Domestic) | Topical | See the cited source for the printed regimen | q12-24h | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Betamethasone Topical monograph, printed p.1413 (corpus PDF p.1440). [CORRECTED - printed p.127-129 is Betamethasone (Systemic) and carries only DOGS and HORSES rows, no cat and no topical entry.] NOTE - eosinophilic granuloma complex is NOT printed on this page and remains UNSOURCED. ISBN 9781394172207 |
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