Cosyntropin for Dog
Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Cosyntropin is used in dog for ACTH stimulation test. Routes documented in dog: IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cosyntropin in dog, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Cortrosyn
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.005 mg/kg | Single dose (diagnostic) | Collect pre and 1-hour post cortisol | ACTH stimulation test | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
Absolute dose ceiling, regardless of body weight: 0.25 mg total (IV).
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Mechanism of action
Synthetic analog of ACTH (first 24 amino acids). Stimulates adrenal cortex to produce cortisol. Used diagnostically for ACTH stimulation test.
Side effects & warnings
Diagnostic agent — not for chronic therapy. Rare anaphylaxis. Reconstituted solution stable 24 hours refrigerated.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dog may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Other Endocrine drugs with dog dosing
Cosyntropin dosing in other species
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 dog — 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.