ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/budesonide-oral
US brand names:Entocort EC, Ortikos
Budesonide Oral is dosed at 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q24h in dogs, per Dye TL, Diehl KJ, Wheeler SL, Westfall DS. Randomized, Controlled Trial of Budesonide and Prednisone for the Treatment of Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2013;27(6):1385-1391. doi:10.1111/jvim.12195; Tumulty JW, Broussard JD, Steiner JM, Peterson ME, Williams DA. Clinical effects of short-term oral budesonide on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease. JAAHA. 2004;40(2):120-123. doi:10.5326/0400120 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.170 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Potent glucocorticoid with high first-pass hepatic metabolism, providing topical anti-inflammatory effect on GI mucosa with reduced systemic bioavailability.
Fewer systemic corticosteroid effects than prednisone but not zero. Used for IBD in dogs and cats. Monitor for adrenal suppression with prolonged use.
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) | PO | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | q24h | Strong | Dye TL, Diehl KJ, Wheeler SL, Westfall DS. Randomized, Controlled Trial of Budesonide and Prednisone for the Treatment of Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2013;27(6):1385-1391. doi:10.1111/jvim.12195; Tumulty JW, Broussard JD, Steiner JM, Peterson ME, Williams DA. Clinical effects of short-term oral budesonide on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease. JAAHA. 2004;40(2):120-123. doi:10.5326/0400120 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.170 (2026-08-01). |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 0.5–1 mg per cat | q24h | Moderate |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Trepanier L. Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease in cats: Rational treatment selection. J Feline Med Surg. 2009;11(1):32-39. doi:10.1016/j.jfms.2008.11.011; Willard M. Chronic Small Bowel Diarrhea - Part II. Paper presented at: Southwest Veterinary Symposium: SWVS 2016. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.170 (2026-08-01). |