ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/liothyronine
US brand names:Cytomel
Liothyronine is dosed at 4–6 mcg/kg PO q8h in dogs, per Scott-Moncrieff JC. Chapter 3: Hypothyroidism. In: Canine and Feline Endocrinology. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2015. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.793 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.764, Liothyronine monograph spanning p.764-765; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Synthetic triiodothyronine (T3) that directly activates thyroid hormone receptors, increasing basal metabolic rate, protein synthesis, and oxygen consumption.
Short half-life requires multiple daily doses. Narrow therapeutic index. Used when levothyroxine alone is insufficient. Monitor thyroid levels.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
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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) | PO | 4–6 mcg/kg | q8h | Moderate | Scott-Moncrieff JC. Chapter 3: Hypothyroidism. In: Canine and Feline Endocrinology. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2015. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.793 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.764, Liothyronine monograph spanning p.764-765; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 4.4 mcg/kg | q8-12h | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.764, Liothyronine monograph spanning p.764-765; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, |
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