ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/cobalamin
US brand names:Cyanocobalamin, Hydroxocobalamin
Cobalamin is dosed at 0.05 mg/kg SC, IM not printed in bearded dragons, per 63. Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.268 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location.. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Essential cofactor for methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. Required for DNA synthesis, erythropoiesis, and neurological function.
Commonly deficient in cats with GI disease (IBD, lymphoma, EPI). SC injection q1-4 weeks or daily high-dose oral. Very safe — water-soluble, excess excreted renally. Monitor serum levels.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Corn Snake drugsAll Crested Gecko drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Lovebird drugsAll Umbrella Cockatoo 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 8 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) | SC | 250–1000 mcg per dog | q7 days x 6 weeks, then monthly | Strong | Ruaux CG. Cobalamin in companion animals: Diagnostic marker, deficiency states and therapeutic implications. Vet J. 2013;196(2):145-152. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.01.025; Steiner J. Cobalamin information. Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; https://web.archive.org/web/2021id_/http://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/research/cobalamin-information. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.332 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.304, Cobalamin monograph spanning p.304-306; 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) | SC | 250 mcg per cat |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| once weekly x 6 weeks, then q1-2 months |
| Strong |
| Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.304, Cobalamin monograph spanning p.304-306; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.305, Cobalamin monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |