Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Hydrocortisone Oral is dosed at 0.4–0.8 mg/kg PO q12-24h (once to twice daily) in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed, Hydrocortisone monograph, Dosages - DOGS/CATS, corpus p.643 (printed p.616). Hydrocortisone Oral is used in dogs for Hypoadrenocorticism (glucocorticoid replacement). Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Hydrocortisone Oral in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Cortef
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.4–0.8 mg/kg | q12-24h (once to twice daily) | Lifelong for Addison's; adjust based on clinical signs | Hypoadrenocorticism (glucocorticoid replacement) | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed, Hydrocortisone monograph, Dosages - DOGS/CATS, corpus p.643 (printed p.616) |
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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.
Identical to endogenous cortisol. Binds glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors, providing physiologic replacement in adrenal insufficiency.
Shortest-acting oral corticosteroid — may need 2-3 daily doses. Used for Addison's disease replacement. Both gluco- and mineralocorticoid effects.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Hydrocortisone Oral dose range in dogs, with cited source references: PO 0.4–0.8 mg/kg q12-24h (once to twice daily). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Hydrocortisone Oral in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Hydrocortisone Oral in dogs include: Lifelong for Addison's; adjust based on clinical signs. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Hydrocortisone Oral is indicated in dogs for: Hypoadrenocorticism (glucocorticoid replacement).
These are general warnings for Hydrocortisone Oral across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Shortest-acting oral corticosteroid — may need 2-3 daily doses. Used for Addison's disease replacement. Both gluco- and mineralocorticoid effects.
Why a species-specific page? Hydrocortisone Oral 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.