Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.
Loperamide is dosed at 0.1 mg/kg PO q8h x3d, then q24h x2d in rabbits, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.878 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.776, Loperamide monograph spanning p.775-776. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits). Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Mu-opioid receptor agonist in GI tract, slowing motility and increasing segmental contractions. Increases fluid/electrolyte absorption.
Side effects & warnings
CONTRAINDICATED in MDR1-mutant dogs (crosses BBB — severe CNS depression). Avoid in cats. Do not use in infectious diarrhea. May cause constipation, bloating, ileus.
Species with Loperamide dosing data (11 dose rules)
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Sample dosing (2 of 11 cited rules)
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 10 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.
Plumb's 10th ed printed p.775, Loperamide monograph spanning p.775-776.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Plumb's 10th ed printed p.775, Loperamide monograph spanning p.775-776.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
· 66. Harkness JE. A Practitioner's Guide to Domestic Rodents, American Animal Hospital Association, Lakewood, CO; 1993. | 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.801 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents).
· 66. Harkness JE. A Practitioner's Guide to Domestic Rodents, American Animal Hospital Association, Lakewood, CO; 1993.; 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.801 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents).
· Harkness JE. A Practitioner's Guide to Domestic Rodents, American Animal Hospital Association, Lakewood, CO; 1993. / Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.801 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents).
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