Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Penicillamine is dosed at 10–15 mg/kg PO q12h in cats, per Hurwitz BM, Center SA, Randolph JF, et al. Presumed primary and secondary hepatic copper accumulation in cats. Javma-Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2014;244:68-77. doi:10.2460/javma.244.1.68 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1018 (2026-08-01).. Penicillamine is used in cats for Copper hepatopathy. Routes documented in cats: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Penicillamine in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Cuprimine, Depen, D-Penicillamine
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 10–15 mg/kg | q12h | Long-term; monitor hepatic values | Copper hepatopathy | Weak | Hurwitz BM, Center SA, Randolph JF, et al. Presumed primary and secondary hepatic copper accumulation in cats. Javma-Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2014;244:68-77. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1018 (2026-08-01). |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your cat's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Chelates copper, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals, forming soluble complexes excreted by the kidneys. Also has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.
Give on empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). GI upset common — start low and increase gradually. Monitor CBC and urinalysis (proteinuria). Primary use: copper-associated hepatopathy (Bedlington Terriers, others).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Penicillamine dose range in cats, with cited source references: PO 10–15 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Penicillamine in cats: PO.
Cited course lengths for Penicillamine in cats include: Long-term; monitor hepatic values. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Penicillamine is indicated in cats for: Copper hepatopathy.
These are general warnings for Penicillamine across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Give on empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). GI upset common — start low and increase gradually. Monitor CBC and urinalysis (proteinuria). Primary use: copper-associated hepatopathy (Bedlington Terriers, others).
Why a species-specific page? Penicillamine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — 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.