ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/ursodiol
US brand names:Actigall, Ursodex
Ursodiol is dosed at 10–15 mg/kg PO q24h in cats, per Twedt DC, Armstrong PJ, Simpson KW. Chapter 150: Feline Cholangitis. In: Bonagura JD, Twedt DC, eds. Current Veterinary Therapy XV. Elsevier Saunders; 2014:614-621. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1315 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Hydrophilic bile acid that displaces toxic hydrophobic bile acids from the bile acid pool. Choleretic, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory effects.
Give with food. Monitor liver enzymes. CONTRAINDICATED in complete biliary obstruction. Generally well-tolerated. Used in cholangiohepatitis, gallbladder mucocele, chronic hepatitis.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (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 2 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 | 10–15 mg/kg | q24h | Moderate | Twedt DC, Armstrong PJ, Simpson KW. Chapter 150: Feline Cholangitis. In: Bonagura JD, Twedt DC, eds. Current Veterinary Therapy XV. Elsevier Saunders; 2014:614-621. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1315 (2026-08-01). |
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 10–15 mg/kg | q24h | Moderate | Watson PJ. Chapter 142: Chronic Hepatitis Therapy. In: Bonagura JD, Twedt DC, eds. Current Veterinary Therapy XV. Elsevier Saunders; 2014:583-587. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1315 (2026-08-01). |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.