What is Furosemide used for?

Furosemide is indicated for: Acute CHF, Acute CHF (emergency), Acute pulmonary edema, acute renal failure, Acute respiratory distress, ascites, Ascites (hepatic or neoplastic), Cardiac disease adjunct, Cardiogenic pulmonary edema (chronic management), CHF, CHF maintenance, Chronic cardiac disease management, Diuretic, edema, EIPH, fluid overload, Oliguric renal failure (to promote urine production), pleural effusion, Pleural effusion (chronic management), Pulmonary edema, pulmonary edema (emergency), Respiratory distress.

What routes can Furosemide be administered by?

Available routes: PO, IV, IM, SC.

Which species have cited Furosemide dosing data?

Furosemide dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 8 species: African Grey Parrot, Bearded Dragon, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Guinea Pig, Horse (Equine), Rabbit (Domestic), Sugar Glider.

Is Furosemide a controlled substance?

Furosemide is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Furosemide

US brand names:Lasix, Salix

Also known as: Frusemide

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Furosemide is dosed at 2–5 mg/kg IM q12-24h in bearded dragons, per Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166.; Jepson L. Snakes. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2009:315-357.; Jepson L. Turtles and tortoises. In: Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2009:358-411. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.273 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Cardiovascular

Routes

POIVIMSC

Indications

Acute CHF

Acute CHF (emergency)

Acute pulmonary edema

Acute respiratory distress

Ascites (hepatic or neoplastic)

Cardiac disease adjunct

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema (chronic management)

Chronic cardiac disease management

Pleural effusion (chronic management)

pulmonary edema (emergency)

Respiratory distress

Mechanism of Action

Inhibits sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter (NKCC2) in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, producing potent diuresis.

Side effects & warnings

Monitor electrolytes (hypokalemia, hyponatremia). Ototoxicity at high IV doses. Dehydration risk. May worsen renal azotemia. Adjust dose based on clinical response.

Evidence levels across 23 dose rules

Extrapolated×8Strong×10Moderate×4Weak×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 18 published sources

· Acierno MJ, Brown S, Coleman AE, et al. ACVIM consensus statement: guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and management of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32:1803-1822. doi:10.1111/jvim.15331 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.593 (2026-08-01).
· Beaufrere H, Schilliger L, Pariaut R. Cardiovascular system. In: Mitchell M, Tully T, eds. Current Therapy in Exotic Pet Practice; Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2016:151-220.; Fitzgerald BC, Dias S, Martorell J. Cardiovascular drugs in avian, small mammal, and reptile medicine. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2018;21(2):399-442. doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2018.01.015 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.491 (2026-08-01).
· Beaufrere H, Schilliger L, Pariaut R. Cardiovascular system. In: Mitchell M, Tully T, eds. Current Therapy in Exotic Pet Practice; Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2016:151-220.; Fitzgerald BC, Dias S, Martorell J. Cardiovascular drugs in avian, small mammal, and reptile medicine. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2018;21(2):399-442. ; Pees M, Krautwald-Junghanns M-E, Straub J. Evaluating and treating the cardiovascular system. In: Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL, eds. Clinical Avian Medicine. 2006;Vol I:379-394. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.491 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 23 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 8 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	2–4 mg/kg	q6-8h	Strong	Keene BW, Atkins CE, Bonagura JD, et al. ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33:1127-1140. doi:10.1111/jvim.15488 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.592 (2026-08-01).
Dog (Domestic)	PO	2–4 mg/kg	q8-12h	Strong	Chew D, Schenck P, Jaeger J. Assessment and treatment of clinical cases with elusive disorders of hypercalcemia. Presented at: ACVIM Forum; 2003. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.593 (2026-08-01).

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· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, Table 10.8 'Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rabbits', p.872 (Furosemide continuation): '1-4 mg/kg PO, SC q8, 12, or 24h181b'

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, Table 10.8 'Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rabbits', p.872 (continuation of the Furosemide entry begun on p.871): '1-4 mg/kg SC, IM, IV q4-6h194,241 prn — Pulmonary edema'

· Chew D, Schenck P, Jaeger J. Assessment and treatment of clinical cases with elusive disorders of hypercalcemia. Presented at: ACVIM Forum; 2003. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.593 (2026-08-01).

· Cote E. Feline congestive heart failure: Current diagnosis and management. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2017;47(5):1055-1064. PMID: 28647113 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.593 (2026-08-01).

· DISAL - Furosemide Injection [US Product Label for Dogs, Horses]. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.; 2019. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=62c22d28-4efb-409d-8da6-113f2802347c — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.594 (2026-08-01).

· DeFrancesco TC. Management of cardiac emergencies in small animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43(4):817-842. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2013.03.012 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.593 (2026-08-01).

· Hess L. Sugar gliders. In: Aiello SE, eds. Merck Veterinary Manual; Merck & Co., Kenilworth, NJ; 2016:2035-2043.; Brust DM. What every veterinarian needs to know about sugar gliders. Exotic DVM. 2009;11:32-41.; Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. Part B: Exotic Pets, 10th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.711 (2026-08-01).

· Keene BW, Atkins CE, Bonagura JD, et al. ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33:1127-1140. doi:10.1111/jvim.15488; DeFrancesco TC. Management of cardiac emergencies in small animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43(4):817-842. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2013.03.012 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.592 (2026-08-01).

· Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166.; Jepson L. Snakes. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2009:315-357.; Jepson L. Turtles and tortoises. In: Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2009:358-411. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.273 (2026-08-01).

· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.794 (2026-08-01).

· Mogg T. Equine cardiac disease: clinical pharmacology and therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 1999;15:523-534. doi:10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30130-x; Redpath A, Bowen M. Cardiac therapeutics in horses. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2019;35(1):217-241. doi:10.1016/j.cveq.2018.11.004 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.593 (2026-08-01).

· Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th Ed., 'Furosemide', Small Animal Dosage, printed p.348 (corpus page 376): 'Cats — Start with 1 mg/kg, then increase as needed, within a range of 1-4 mg/kg q8-24h IV, IM, SQ, or PO.'

· Plumb DC. Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th ed., Wiley Blackwell, Ames, IA; 2018. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.878 (2026-08-01).

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed