ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/dimercaprol-bal
US brand names:BAL in Oil
Dimercaprol (BAL) is dosed at 2.5–5 mg/kg IM q4-6h initially, then q12h in african grey parrots, per Tully TN. Psittacine therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:59-90. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.469 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.9 (Agents Used in the Treatment of Toxicologic Conditions of Birds). 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.
Dithiol compound that chelates arsenic, gold, mercury, and lead by forming stable ring complexes excreted via bile and urine.
Painful IM injection. Peanut oil vehicle — avoid in peanut-allergic patients. Hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic. Hypertensive crisis possible. Keep patient NPO during treatment.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Dog (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 2 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) | IM | 2.5–5 mg/kg | q4h x 2 days, then q12h until recovery | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed (2023) [DB cites 9th], printed p.401 (corpus PDF p.428), DOGS & CATS 'Arsenic toxicosis'; concordant with BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed Part A, printed p.127 (PDF p.143) — EDITION NOTE 2026-08-06: this rule's Plumb's reference names the 9th edition, which is not held and was never consulted. The held copy is the 10th ed (2023). The Plumb's line was never confirmed against the held edition, so rely on it only as background; any other source named in this citation is unaffected. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
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