ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/spironolactone
US brand names:Aldactone
Spironolactone is dosed at 1 mg/kg PO q12h in african grey parrots, per 848. Sedacca CD, Campbell TW, Bright JM, et al. Chronic cor pulmonale secondary to pulmonary atherosclerosis in an African grey parrot. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009;234(8):1055-1059. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.494 doi:10.2460/javma.234.8.1055 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by Samour J (ed), Avian Medicine, 3rd ed, Elsevier 2016 (ISBN 978-0-7234-3832-8), Table 13-11: Spironolactone, Parrots, 1-1 mg/kg (PO). A second text, independent of the source already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Avian Medicine (Samour) — ISBN 9780723438328, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780723438328. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Competitively blocks aldosterone at mineralocorticoid receptors in the distal nephron. Potassium-sparing diuretic with anti-fibrotic cardiac effects.
Hyperkalemia risk, especially with ACE inhibitors. Monitor electrolytes. Anti-androgenic effects (gynecomastia). Used in CHF as adjunct to furosemide. Give with food.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Chinchilla drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Green-cheeked Conure 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 1–2 mg/kg | q12h | Moderate | Acierno MJ, Brown S, Coleman AE, et al. ACVIM consensus statement: guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and management of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32(6):1803-1822. doi:10.1111/jvim.15331 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1204 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1175, Spironolactone monograph spanning p.1175-1176; 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 |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 1–2 mg/kg | q12h | Weak |
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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 (held edition 10th, 2023), Spironolactone monograph, printed p.1177 (corpus p.1204), CATS section: "Adjunctive treatment of hypertension (extra-label): 1 - 2 mg/kg PO every 12 hours." Superscript 21 resolves to Acierno MJ, Brown S, Coleman AE, et al. ACVIM consensus statement: guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and management of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32(6):1803-1822. — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1175, Spironolactone monograph spanning p.1175-1176; 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 |