Sodium and potassium iodide have both been used to treat selected bacterial, actinomycete, and fungal infections, although sodium iodide is preferred. The in vivo effects of iodides against fungal cells are not well understood. Iodide is readily absorbed from the GI tract and distributes freely into the extracellular fluid and glandular secretions. Iodide concentrates in the thyroid gland (50 times corresponding plasma level) and to a much lesser degree in salivary, lacrimal, and tracheobronchial glands. Longterm use at high levels leads to accumulation in the body and to iodinism.

Clinical signs of iodinism include lacrimation, salivation, increased respiratory secretions, coughing, inappetence, dry scaly skin, and tachycardia. Cardiomyopathy has been reported in cats. Host defense systems, such as decreased immunoglobulin production and reduced phagocytic ability of leukocytes, are also impaired. Iodinism may also lead to abortion and infertility.

Sodium iodide has been used successfully to treat cutaneous and cutaneous/lymphadenitis forms of sporotrichosis; attempts to control various other mycotic infections with iodides yield equivocal results.

The dosage for sodium iodide (20% solution) is 44 mg/kg, PO, sid for dogs, and 22 mg/kg, PO, sid for cats. The dose for horses is 125 mL of 20% sodium iodide solution, IV, sid for 3 days, then 30 g, PO, sid for 30 days after clinical remission. The dosage rate for treating actinomycosis and actinobacillosis in cattle is 66 mg/kg, by slow IV, repeated weekly. Potassium iodide should never be injected IV.

Last full review/revision March 2012 by Dawn Merton Boothe, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP