Alendronate for Dog
Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Alendronate is used in dog for Osteopenia / bone pain (osteolytic lesions). Routes documented in dog: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Alendronate in dog, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Fosamax
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q24h or once weekly | Long-term; minimum 3-6 months | Osteopenia / bone pain (osteolytic lesions) | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Mechanism of action
Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption by binding to hydroxyapatite and inducing osteoclast apoptosis.
Side effects & warnings
Esophageal irritation risk — give with water, keep upright. May cause jaw osteonecrosis rarely. Used in cats for idiopathic hypercalcemia.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dog may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Other Endocrine drugs with dog dosing
Alendronate dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Alendronate pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dog — 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.