ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/l-carnitine
US brand names:Carnitor
L-Carnitine is dosed at 50 mg/kg PO q12h in african pygmy hedgehogs, per 12. Delk KW, Eshar D, Garcia E, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of congestive heart failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy in a hedgehog. J Small Anim Pract. 2014;55:174-177. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.744 doi:10.1111/jsap.12169 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Hedgehogs). 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.
Essential for transport of long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation. Required for myocardial energy metabolism.
Used for dilated cardiomyopathy (especially Boxers, Dobermans, Cocker Spaniels) and hepatic lipidosis in cats. Very safe. GI upset at high doses. Expensive at therapeutic doses.
Species references:All African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Sugar Glider 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 4 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 | 100–200 mg/kg | q8-12h | Moderate | Sanderson SL. Taurine and carnitine in canine cardiomyopathy. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2006;36(6). doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2006.08.010 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.216 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.189, Carnitine monograph; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 250–500 mg per cat | q24h | Moderate |
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