ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/cosyntropin
US brand names:Cortrosyn
Cosyntropin is dosed at 5 µg/kg IV once (ACTH stimulation test) in rabbits, per Conner C, Di Girolamo N, Kanda I, et al. Intravenous cosyntropin optimal dose determination in rabbits. Proc ExoticsCon; 2021;191. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.877 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Synthetic analog of ACTH (first 24 amino acids). Stimulates adrenal cortex to produce cortisol. Used diagnostically for ACTH stimulation test.
Diagnostic agent — not for chronic therapy. Rare anaphylaxis. Reconstituted solution stable 24 hours refrigerated.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Rabbit (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 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 0.125 mg/cat | Single dose (diagnostic) | Strong | Peterson ME, Kemppainen RJ. Comparison of the immunoreactive plasma corticotropin and cortisol responses to two synthetic corticotropin preparations (tetracosactrin and cosyntropin) in healthy cats. Am J Vet Res. 1992;53(10):1752-1755. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1992.53.10.1752; Peterson ME, Kemppainen RJ. Dose-response relation between plasma-concentrations of corticotropin and cortisol after administration of incremental doses of cosyntropin for corticotropin stimulation testing in cats. Am J Vet Res. 1993;54(2):300-304. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1993.54.02.300 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.342 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.314, Cosyntropin monograph spanning p.314-315; 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 |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Dog (Domestic) |
| IV, IM |
| 0.005 mg/kg |
| Single dose (diagnostic) |
| Strong |
| Behrend EN, Kooistra HS, Nelson R, Reusch CE, Scott-Moncrieff JC. Diagnosis of Spontaneous Canine Hyperadrenocorticism: 2012 ACVIM Consensus Statement (Small Animal). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2013;27(6):1292-1304. doi:10.1111/jvim.12192; Aldridge C, Behrend EN, Kemppainen RJ, et al. Comparison of 2 Doses for ACTH Stimulation Testing in Dogs Suspected of or Treated for Hyperadrenocorticism. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30(5):1637-1641. doi:10.1111/jvim.14528 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.342 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.314, Cosyntropin monograph spanning p.314-315; 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 — CEILING: Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, printed p.189 — "inject 5 mcg/kg IV or IM ... Maximum dose for dogs should be 250 mcg." |