ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/potassium-citrate
US brand names:Urocit-K
Potassium Citrate is dosed at 33 mg/kg PO q8h in rabbits, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, Table 10.10 'Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits', p.879: 'Potassium citrate 33 mg/kg q8h166'. Route confirmed and dose independently corroborated by BSAVA Part B printed p.245: 'Mammals: Rabbits: 33 mg/kg p.o. q8h' and FRR 4th ed. Table A.5 printed p.630, Rabbits column: '33 mg/kg PO q8h'. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits). Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Alkalinizes urine by providing citrate (metabolized to bicarbonate). Citrate also inhibits calcium oxalate crystal formation by chelating calcium.
First-line for calcium oxalate stone prevention. GI upset common — give with food. Monitor urine pH (target 6.5-7.0). Hyperkalemia risk in renal disease.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs
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| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 50–75 mg/kg | q12h | Strong | Stevenson AE, Wrigglesworth DJ, Smith BHE, Markwell PJ. Effects of dietary potassium citrate supplementation on urine pH and urinary relative supersaturation of calcium oxalate and struvite in healthy dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2000;61(4):430-435. doi:10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.430 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.275, Citrate, Potassium monograph spanning p.274-275. |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 40–75 mg/kg | q12h | Moderate | Polzin DJ. Evidence-based step-wise approach to managing chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2013;23(2):205-215. doi:10.1111/vec.12034 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.274, Citrate, Potassium monograph spanning p.274-275. |
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