ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/ranitidine
US brand names:Zantac
Ranitidine is dosed at 5 mg/kg PO q12h in chinchillas, 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.
Competitively blocks H2 receptors on parietal cells, reducing gastric acid secretion. Also has prokinetic activity via acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
Less drug interaction potential than cimetidine. Prokinetic effect makes it preferred over famotidine when motility enhancement also desired. Administer slowly IV. Note: human formulation withdrawn in some markets.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Chinchilla drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs
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A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 2.5–3.5 mg/kg | q12h | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1111, Ranitidine monograph spanning p.1111-1113; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1113, Ranitidine monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 2 mg/kg | q8-12h | Moderate | Bersenas AME. Antacid therapy. In: Bonagura JD, Twedt DC, eds. Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy XV. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2014. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1140 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1113, Ranitidine monograph spanning p.1111-1113; 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, |
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