Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Cosyntropin is dosed at 0.005 mg/kg IV Single dose (diagnostic) in dogs, per 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).. Cosyntropin is used in dogs for ACTH stimulation test. Routes documented in dogs: IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cosyntropin in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Cortrosyn
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.005 mg/kgmax 0.25 mg total | Single dose (diagnostic) | Collect pre and 1-hour post cortisol |
| ACTH stimulation test |
| 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). |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Cosyntropin dose range in dogs, with cited source references: IV 0.005 mg/kg Single dose (diagnostic). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Cosyntropin in dogs: IV.
Cited course lengths for Cosyntropin in dogs include: Collect pre and 1-hour post cortisol. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Cosyntropin is indicated in dogs for: ACTH stimulation test.
These are general warnings for Cosyntropin across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Diagnostic agent — not for chronic therapy. Rare anaphylaxis. Reconstituted solution stable 24 hours refrigerated.
Why a species-specific page? Cosyntropin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.