Which species have cited Ketoconazole dosing data?

Ketoconazole dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 33 species: African Grey Parrot, African Pygmy Hedgehog, Amazon Parrot, Ball Python, Bearded Dragon, Blue-and-Gold Macaw, Blue-tongue Skink, Canary, Cat (Domestic), Chinchilla, Corn Snake, Degu, Dog (Domestic), Domestic Pigeon, Dwarf Hamster, Eastern Box Turtle, Ferret, Gerbil, Great Horned Owl, Green-cheeked Conure, Guinea Pig, Harris Hawk, Lovebird, Mouse, Peregrine Falcon, Pet Rat, Rabbit (Domestic), Red-eared Slider, Red-tailed Hawk, Russian Tortoise, Sulcata Tortoise, Umbrella Cockatoo, Zebra Finch.

Is Ketoconazole a controlled substance?

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

Ketoconazole

US brand names:Nizoral

Calculate dosage

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

Ketoconazole is dosed at 10–40 mg/kg PO q24h in rabbits, per Fehr M. Zoonotic potential of dermatophytosis in small mammals. J Exot Pet Med. 2015;24:308-316. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.847 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Rabbits.a). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antifungal

Routes

Indications

CandidacandidiasisDermatophytosis Fungal infection Fungal infection (candidiasis / systemic mycoses)Fungal infection (general)Malassezia dermatitisMycosisRefractory candidiasisSystemic fungal infection Systemic fungal infection (fungistatic imidazole)Systemic mycoses

Show all 15

Systemic mycoses (extra-label)Systemic/cutaneous mycosisUsed

Mechanism of Action

Inhibits lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase (CYP51), blocking ergosterol synthesis in fungal membranes. At high doses, inhibits adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis.

Side effects & warnings

Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes. Strong CYP inhibitor (many drug interactions). Requires gastric acid for absorption (do not give with antacids). Also used for Cushing's disease (adrenal steroidogenesis inhibition).

Species with Ketoconazole dosing data (35 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot African Pygmy Hedgehog Amazon Parrot Ball Python Bearded Dragon Blue-and-Gold Macaw Blue-tongue Skink Canary Cat (Domestic)Chinchilla Corn Snake Degu Dog (Domestic)Domestic Pigeon Dwarf Hamster

Evidence levels across 35 dose rules

Moderate×18Weak×16Strong×1

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

Sample dosing (2 of 35 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 33 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)	PO	5–10 mg/kg	q12h	Strong	Hillier A. Why are these nails falling off? Claw diseases of the dog. Presented at: Atlantic Coast Vet Conference (ACVC); 2015. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.725, Ketoconazole, Systemic monograph spanning p.725-728.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Cat (Domestic)	PO	5–10 mg/kg	q12-24h	Moderate	Medleau L, Greene CE, Rakich PM. Evaluation of ketoconazole and itraconazole for treatment of disseminated cryptococcosis in cats. Am J Vet Res. 1990;51(9):1454-1458. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1990.51.09.1454 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.725, Ketoconazole, Systemic monograph spanning p.725-728.

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Backed by 25 published sourcesShow

· 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.772 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).
· 149. Jepson L. Lizards. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier; 2009:268-314. | 150. Jepson L. Snakes. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier; 2009:315-357. | 151. Jepson L. Turtles and tortoises. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier; 2009:358-411. — Source: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1405
· 177. Coles BH. Prescribing for exotic birds. In: Bishop Y, eds. The Veterinary Formulary, 5th ed., Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK; 2001:99-105. | 490. Kollias GV Jr., Palgut J, Rossi J, et al. The use of ketoconazole in birds: preliminary pharmacokinetics and clinical applications. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1986:103. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

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Other formulations of Ketoconazole

Ketoconazole Topical

Calculate Dosage for Ketoconazole

· 177. Coles BH. Prescribing for exotic birds. In: Bishop Y, eds. The Veterinary Formulary, 5th ed., Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK; 2001:99-105. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· 47. Marshall KL. Fungal diseases in small mammals: therapeutic trends and zoonotic considerations. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2003;6(2):415-427. | 68. Smith A. General husbandry and medical care of hedgehogs. In: Bonagura JD, eds. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XIII: Small Animal Practice; WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 2000:1128-1133. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.735 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Hedgehogs).

· 490. Kollias GV Jr., Palgut J, Rossi J, et al. The use of ketoconazole in birds: preliminary pharmacokinetics and clinical applications. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1986:103. | 177. Coles BH. Prescribing for exotic birds. In: Bishop Y, eds. The Veterinary Formulary, 5th ed., Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK; 2001:99-105. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· 490. Kollias GV Jr., Palgut J, Rossi J, et al. The use of ketoconazole in birds: preliminary pharmacokinetics and clinical applications. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1986:103. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· 665. Orosz SE, Frazier DL. Antifungal agents: a review of their pharmacology and therapeutic indications. J Avian Med Surg. 1995;9:8-18. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· Bauck L, Brash M. Survey of diseases of the Lady Gouldian finch. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1999:204-212. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.427 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· Fehr M. Zoonotic potential of dermatophytosis in small mammals. J Exot Pet Med. 2015;24:308-316. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.847 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Rabbits.a).

· Hillier A. Why are these nails falling off? Claw diseases of the dog. Presented at: Atlantic Coast Vet Conference (ACVC); 2015. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.725, Ketoconazole, Systemic monograph spanning p.725-728.

· Jacobson ER. Antimicrobial drug use in reptiles. In: Prescott JF, Baggot JD, eds. Antimicrobial Therapy in Veterinary Medicine; Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA; 1993:543-552. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.222 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles).

· Jacobson ER. Antimicrobial drug use in reptiles. In: PrescottJF, Baggot JD, eds. Antimicrobial Therapy in Veterinary Medicine; Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA; 1993:543-552. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.222 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles).

· 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. | 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.222

· Jepson L. Turtles and tortoises. In: Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2009:358-411. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.222 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles).

· Medleau L, Greene CE, Rakich PM. Evaluation of ketoconazole and itraconazole for treatment of disseminated cryptococcosis in cats. Am J Vet Res. 1990;51(9):1454-1458. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1990.51.09.1454 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.725, Ketoconazole, Systemic monograph spanning p.725-728.

· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.772 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).

· Page CD, Mautino M, Derendorf H, et al. Multiple dose pharmacokinetics of ketoconazole administered orally to gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). J Zoo Wildl Med. 1991;22:191-198. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles).

· Papich MG. Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, Ketoconazole, Small Animal Dosage, Cats, printed p.431 - "5-10 mg/kg q8-12h PO." CAVEAT FROM THE OTHER HELD BOOK - Plumb's 10th ed printed p.728 CATS states "Use is controversial, and some clinicians recommend against using ketoconazole in cats because of […]", and printed p.726 "anorexia, weight loss, and hepatotoxic effects are possible".

· Phalen DN. Common bacterial and fungal infectious diseases in pet birds. Suppl Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet. 2003;25:43-48. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, Ketoconazole (Systemic), REPTILES section, printed p.728 (printed 728)

· Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO, 2021, Appendix: Formulary (Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW), Table A.2 'Antifungal Agents Used in Small Mammals', Ferrets column, printed p.623: 'Ketoconazole 10-30 mg/kg PO q12-24h' - the range served. NOTE: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed Table 11.2 and its ref 71 (Lewington 2000) both print a HIGHER ceiling, 10-50 mg/kg PO q12-24h. The served 30 mg/kg ceiling is the lower of two disagreeing sources.

· Rosskopf WJ, Woerpel RW. Practical avian therapeutics. Proc Basics Avian Med (Sydney), 1996:75-81. | Rupiper DJ, Ehrenberg M. Practical pigeon medicine. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet, 1997:479-497. - Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds), pigeon row: '20-40 mg/kg PO q12h x 15-60 days784,791 | Pigeons'. THE APPENDED 'doi:10.1016/s0195-5616(91)50136-4' IS DELETED: resolved live against Crossref it returns a DIFFERENT publication, Rosskopf and Woerpel, Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 21(6):1265-1271, 1991.

· Samour, Avian Medicine, 3rd Ed. (raptor formulary appendix), p.660. Row as printed binds this dose to raptors on its own line: "Ketoconazole Nizoral (Janssen) Raptors IM 25 mg/kg bid for 7 d Used for treatment of candidiasis […]".

· Sharp NJ, Sullivan M. Use of ketoconazole in the treatment of canine nasal aspergillosis. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1989;194(6):782-786. doi:10.2460/javma.1989.194.06.782 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.725, Ketoconazole, Systemic monograph spanning p.725-728.