Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Spironolactone is dosed at 1–2 mg/kg PO q12h in dogs, per 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. Spironolactone is used in dogs for CHF adjunct (with furosemide). Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Spironolactone in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Aldactone
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 1–2 mg/kg | q12h | Long-term | CHF adjunct (with furosemide) | 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 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–4 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.402 | 2-4 mg/kg p.o. q24h. |
| 2–4 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.768 | • 2-4 mg/kg/day (or 1-2 mg/kg q12h) PO. In dogs, start with 2 mg/kg/day and |
| 1–2 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.768 | • 2-4 mg/kg/day (or 1-2 mg/kg q12h) PO. In dogs, start with 2 mg/kg/day and |
| 2 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.768 | • 2-4 mg/kg/day (or 1-2 mg/kg q12h) PO. In dogs, start with 2 mg/kg/day and |
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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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Spironolactone dose range in dogs, with cited source references: PO 1–2 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Spironolactone in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Spironolactone in dogs include: Long-term. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Spironolactone is indicated in dogs for: CHF adjunct (with furosemide).
These are general warnings for Spironolactone across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Hyperkalemia risk, especially with ACE inhibitors. Monitor electrolytes. Anti-androgenic effects (gynecomastia). Used in CHF as adjunct to furosemide. Give with food.
Why a species-specific page? Spironolactone pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.
| 4 |
| — |
| Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.768 |
| increase gradually, not to exceed 4 mg/kg/day. In Europe, the approved dose for |
| 2 | — | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.768 | dogs is 2 mg/kg per day. |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.