ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/pentosan-polysulfate
US brand names:Cartrophen Vet, Elmiron
Pentosan Polysulfate is dosed at 3 mg/kg SC q5-7d x 4 treatments in guinea pigs, per 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.802 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Semi-synthetic polysulfated xylanopyranose. Stimulates proteoglycan synthesis, inhibits catabolic enzymes, improves blood flow to subchondral bone.
SC injection series for OA (weekly x 4). May affect coagulation. Also used for feline interstitial cystitis (oral). Not available in USA (available in Australia, EU).
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Guinea Pig 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 3 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) | SC | 3 mg/kg | weekly x 4 | Moderate | Budsberg SC, Bergh MS, Reynolds LR et al. (2007) Evaluation of pentosan polysulfate sodium in the postoperative recovery from cranial cruciate injury in dogs: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Veterinary Surgery 36, 234-244 doi:10.1111/j.1532-950x.2007.00256.x — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.327 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.327' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.311; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.311. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705 |
| Cat (Domestic) | SC | 3 mg/kg | once weekly for 4 weeks |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed (HELD), Pentosan Polysulfate (PPS), Dosages/CATS, printed p.1000 (corpus p.1028); dose corroborated by BSAVA 10th printed p.311 (corpus p.327) — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |