ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/ursodiol
US brand names:Actigall, Ursodex
Ursodiol is dosed at 15 mg/kg PO q12h in ferrets, per Burgess M, Garner M. Clinical aspects of inflammatory bowel disease in ferrets. Exot DVM. 2002;4(2):29-34. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.959 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Ferrets.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. 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) drugsAll Ferret 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 3 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). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1288, Ursodiol monograph spanning p.1287-1288; 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 |
| 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). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1288, Ursodiol monograph spanning p.1287-1288; 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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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.