What is Potassium Chloride used for?

Potassium Chloride is indicated for: Hypokalemia.

Which species have cited Potassium Chloride dosing data?

Potassium Chloride dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 2 species: Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic).

Is Potassium Chloride a controlled substance?

Potassium Chloride is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What is the constant rate infusion (CRI) dose for Potassium Chloride?

Potassium Chloride has 2 CRI dose rules in the ExoticRx formulary, covering Dog (Domestic), Cat (Domestic). See the CRI section on this page for routes, dose ranges, and source citations.

Potassium Chloride

US brand names:KCl, K-Dur

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Miscellaneous

Routes

IVPO

Indications

Hypokalemia

Mechanism of Action

Essential electrolyte for cellular function, nerve conduction, and muscle contraction. Replaces potassium deficit.

Side effects & warnings

NEVER give IV push — must dilute and infuse slowly. Cardiac arrhythmia and death risk with rapid infusion. Maximum rate 0.5 mEq/kg/hr. Monitor ECG.

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Strong×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Constant rate infusion (CRI)

Potassium Chloride CRI dose rules from the ExoticRx formulary. Verify against current literature before clinical use; CRI rates differ from bolus dosing and route, dilution, and monitoring matter. Sign in for the complete per-species CRI protocol set.

Species	Route	Rate	Indication	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	NEVER bolus IVCRI based on serum K+	Hypokalemia	Strong	Wells RJ. Treatment of Hypokalemia. Paper presented at: International Vet Emerg Crit Care: IVECCS 2015. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1046-1047, Potassium (-Acetate, -Chloride, -Gluconate) monograph, Dosages.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Cat (Domestic)	IV	NEVER bolusCRI based on serum K+	Hypokalemia	Strong	Wells RJ. Treatment of Hypokalemia. Paper presented at: International Vet Emerg Crit Care: IVECCS 2015. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1046-1047, Potassium (-Acetate, -Chloride, -Gluconate) monograph, Dosages.

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

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)	IV	NEVER bolus IV	CRI based on serum K+	Strong	Wells RJ. Treatment of Hypokalemia. Paper presented at: International Vet Emerg Crit Care: IVECCS 2015. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1046-1047, Potassium (-Acetate, -Chloride, -Gluconate) monograph, Dosages.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Cat (Domestic)	IV	NEVER bolus	CRI based on serum K+	Strong	Wells RJ. Treatment of Hypokalemia. Paper presented at: International Vet Emerg Crit Care: IVECCS 2015. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1046-1047, Potassium (-Acetate, -Chloride, -Gluconate) monograph, Dosages.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

Backed by a published sourceShow

· Wells RJ. Treatment of Hypokalemia. Paper presented at: International Vet Emerg Crit Care: IVECCS 2015. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1046-1047, Potassium (-Acetate, -Chloride, -Gluconate) monograph, Dosages.

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Dog (Domestic)IV
NEVER bolus IVCRI based on serum K+
Hypokalemia
StrongWells RJ. Treatment of Hypokalemia. Paper presented at: International Vet Emerg Crit Care: IVECCS 2015. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1046-1047, Potassium (-Acetate, -Chloride, -Gluconate) monograph, Dosages.
Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Cat (Domestic)IV
NEVER bolusCRI based on serum K+
Hypokalemia
StrongWells RJ. Treatment of Hypokalemia. Paper presented at: International Vet Emerg Crit Care: IVECCS 2015. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1046-1047, Potassium (-Acetate, -Chloride, -Gluconate) monograph, Dosages.
Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.