ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/calcitriol
US brand names:Rocaltrol
Calcitriol is dosed at 0.0025–0.003 mcg/kg PO q24h in dogs, per Treatment Recommendations for CKD in Dogs. International Renal Interest Society Web site. http://www.iris-kidney.com/pdf/IRIS-DOG-Treatment_Recommendations_2019.pdf. Published 2019. Accessed March 5, 2021.; Quimby J. Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. In: Clinical Small Animal Internal Medicine. 2020:1165-1173. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-42045-0_24 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.198 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Active form of vitamin D3 (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol). Promotes calcium absorption, regulates PTH, and has renoprotective effects in CKD.
Hypercalcemia risk — monitor ionized calcium closely. Requires phosphorus to be controlled first. Narrow therapeutic index.
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 | 0.0025–0.003 mcg/kg | q24h | Strong | Treatment Recommendations for CKD in Dogs. International Renal Interest Society Web site. http://www.iris-kidney.com/pdf/IRIS-DOG-Treatment_Recommendations_2019.pdf. Published 2019. Accessed March 5, 2021.; Quimby J. Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. In: Clinical Small Animal Internal Medicine. 2020:1165-1173. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-42045-0_24 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.198 (2026-08-01). |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 0.0025–0.003 mcg/kg | q24h | Moderate | Gunn-Moore D. The diagnosis and treatment of renal insufficiency in cats. Paper presented at: Proceedings: World Veterinary Congress 2008. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ; Chew D. Chronic Renal Failure Treatment Updates. Paper presented at: Proceedings: Western Veterinary Conf 2003. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.198 (2026-08-01). |
Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.
View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.