Ursodiol 101: What You Need to Know if Your Dog or Cat Needs Ursodiol

Ursodiol is a hydrophilic bile acid naturally created by the body. The medication form of Ursodiol is used to treat chronic liver diseases and to prevent and attempt to dissolve gallstones in dogs and cats. Ursodiol restores healthy liver function by promoting regeneration of healthy liver tissue.

Your veterinarian may prescribe Ursodiol under the brand names Actigall®, Urso®, or Ursofalk®. It is given by mouth in the form of a capsule, tablet, or liquid suspension and should be given with food.

Veterinarians typically prescribe Ursodiol for dogs and cats to treat a wide range of liver and gallbladder conditions including chronic hepatitis, cholesterol containing gallstones, congenital portosystemic shunts, primary biliary cirrhosis, juvenile fibrosing liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease.

Ursodiol is also used for adjunctive treatment of hepatobiliary disease, particularly cholestasis in cats. It may be effective in treating biliary sludge.

Ursodiol decreases the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the intestines. It also increases cholesterol's breakdown rate, making it very effective as a non-surgical solution for gallstones.

Ursodiol is naturally occurring in the body, so side effects are generally mild. The most common side effects are vomiting or diarrhea. Other possible side effects include lack of appetite, tiredness, yellowing of the skin, eyes, or gums, headaches,

This short-acting medication should stop working within 24 hours, although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease.

If you suspect that your pet is having an adverse reaction to Ursodiol, take it to a veterinarian for emergency treatment immediately.

• Ursodiol's effectiveness can be decreased by estrogens, which increase the body's cholesterol levels.
• Antacids that contain aluminum can decrease the body's ability to absorb Ursodiol, so do not administer them to your pet unless your vet has given approval.
• Cholestyramine Resin and Taurine can reduce effectiveness.
• Tell your veterinarian if your pet is taking any of these medicines.

• Do not give Ursodiol to rabbits, guinea pigs, or rodents.
• It may interact with serum bile acid tests and may cause falsely elevated values.
• Should be used cautiously in pets that may have complications or hypersensitivity related to gallstones such as biliary obstruction, cholecystitis, or pancreatitis.
• Should be used cautiously in pregnant and lactating pets.

Veterinarians prescribe a specific dosage of Ursodiol based on the pet’s weight and condition. It is given orally as a tablet, oral powder, or oral suspension. The most commonly used dosing strengths of Ursodiol are 250 mg, 300 mg, and 500 mg. Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s dosing instructions carefully.

When the appropriate dosage form is not available, it may be compounded by a specialty pharmacy. Wedgewood specializes in compounding and provides medication options that help ensure accurate dosing, especially for hard to medicate pets. Click here for a complete list of Wedgewood’s dosing forms and strengths for Ursodiol.

• Anhydrous Oral Suspension
• Capsule
• Chew Treat
• Oral Oil Suspension
• Oral Powder
• Oral Suspension
• Tablet
• Transdermal Gel

If you miss giving your pet a dose, give the next dose as soon as you remember or, if it is close to the next scheduled dose, return to the regular schedule. Do not double dose to catch up. If you are not sure what to do, call your veterinarian and follow their directions.

Ursodiol occurs naturally in the body. An overdose will cause similar but more severe clinical signs of the side effects listed above.

If you suspect your pet or another animal has accidentally overdosed or has eaten this medication inadvertently, immediately contact your veterinarian or the A.S.P.C.A.’s Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Remember to take your prescription container with you when you take your pet for treatment. If you or someone else has ingested this medication, call the National Capital Poison Center at 800-222-1222.

Compounded medicines are prepared for the exact strength your veterinarian prescribes. The price of the medication will depend on the dosage and the medication form, with certain dosage forms and higher strengths generally being more expensive.

In addition, the cost of a medication will depend upon the price of the other active pharmaceutical ingredients and may increase the cost of the finished drug.

How Long Does It Take for Ursodiol to Work?

• Ursodiol is absorbed within a few hours of being given. You should notice improvements within a few days.
• If your pet is being treated for gallstones, it may take 3–6 weeks to dissolve them.
• If your pet is being treated for hepatitis, liver enzymes may not show any changes for at least 4 weeks.

How Long Should My Pet Be on Ursodiol?

Pets need to continue Ursodiol treatment until liver enzymes are normal and all signs of liver disease are resolved. Even if the gallbladder stones are resolved in 3–6 weeks, your veterinarian may decide to continue Ursodiol as maintenance therapy for gallstones or as long-term therapy to eliminate biliary sludge.

Can Ursodiol Cause Liver Problems in Dogs?

There have been some reports of pets developing mild elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, and the liver becoming worse when on Ursodiol. When pets with healthy liver function were treated with Ursodiol, no liver pathology developed, and liver enzyme values remained normal.

Is There Any Monitoring That Needs to Be Done with Ursodiol?

Your veterinarian will perform liver function tests to monitor your pet. A liver panel is a blood test that measures different enzymes, proteins, and other substances made by the liver. Your veterinarian will most likely test liver function before starting Ursodiol to establish a baseline and then further blood monitoring will be needed based on the underlying reason the pet needs the medication.

This article is meant to provide general and not medical advice. We strongly recommend that a veterinarian be consulted for the specific medical needs of your animal.

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