ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/colchicine
US brand names:Colcrys
Colchicine is dosed at 0.04 mg/kg PO q12-24h; start q24h, titrate to q12h in african grey parrots, per 767. Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ. Formulary. In: Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ, Harrison LR, eds. Avian Medicine: Principles and Application; Wingers Publishing, Lake Worth, FL; 1994:457-478. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.490 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). — REFERENCE BELONGS TO A DIFFERENT ROW. The served 0.04 mg/kg PO q12-24h is printed at Carpenter 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds) as "0.04 mg/kg PO q12-24h408 | Most species/gradually increase to q12h" and carries superscript 408 = Hoefer H, IME-hepatic fibrosis and colchicine therapy, J Assoc Avian Vet 1991, 5:193. The reference currently named, ref 767 = Ritchie BW and Harrison GJ, Formulary, in Avian Medicine Principles and Application, Wingers Publishing, Lake Worth FL, 1994:457-478, is attached to a DIFFERENT row of the same block, "0.2 mg/kg PO q12h767 | Psittacines" - the 5x higher figure a prior adjudication explicitly rejected. The number was corrected but the citation was never moved with it. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary Part B printed p.86 independently prints "Birds: 0.04 mg/kg p.o. q12h" citing the same Hoefer 1991 paper, and warns "Overdoses can be fatal." — SOURCE ROW: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 — "0.04 mg/kg PO q12-24h(408) — Most species/gradually increase to q12h". The same block prints two other rows for different scopes: "0.01 mg/kg PO q12h(171) — Juvenile macaws/gout" and "0.2 mg/kg PO q12h(767) — Psittacines". The drug-level comment on that page reads "Unique antiinflammatory used in the treatment of gout or hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis", which is this rule's indication, and ref 408 is Hoefer's hepatic-fibrosis colchicine report. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Binds tubulin disrupting microtubule formation. Inhibits neutrophil migration and reduces inflammation. Anti-fibrotic properties in hepatic fibrosis.
Narrow therapeutic index. GI toxicity (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) common. Used for hepatic fibrosis and amyloidosis in Shar Peis. Bone marrow suppression at toxic doses.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Lovebird 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 4 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 | 0.01–0.03 mg/kg | q24h | Moderate | Plumb's 10th ed printed p.309, Colchicine monograph spanning p.309-310.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 0.01–0.03 mg/kg | q24h | Weak | Papich MG. Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, Colchicine, Small Animal Dosage, printed p.185 - "Dogs and Cats - 0.01-0.03 mg/kg q24h PO." CAVEAT from papich printed p.184 - "the efficacy for controlling liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease is questionable and unproven".Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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.