ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/potassium-citrate
US brand names:Urocit-K
Potassium Citrate is dosed at 10–30 mg/kg PO q12h in guinea pigs, per Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — 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). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350. 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
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 4 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) | 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 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.302 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.275, Citrate, Potassium monograph spanning p.274-275; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 40–75 mg/kg | q12h |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| 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 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.302 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.274, Citrate, Potassium monograph spanning p.274-275; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |