Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Azithromycin is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q24h in dogs, per Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01).. Azithromycin is used in dogs for Respiratory infections, Bartonella, skin, Papillomatosis, Mycobacterial infections, Kennel cough (Bordetella adjunct). Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 4 cited dose rules for Azithromycin in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Zithromax
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h | 5-7 days, or pulse therapy q48h for chronic conditions | Respiratory infections, Bartonella, skin | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h | 10 days | Papillomatosis | Weak | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h | Months (in combination with other antimycobacterials) | Mycobacterial infections | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h | 5-7 days | Kennel cough (Bordetella adjunct) | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01). |
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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.
Binds to 50S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Concentrates in tissues with long half-life.
CONTRAINDICATED orally in rabbits and guinea pigs (fatal dysbiosis). May cause GI upset. Long tissue half-life means prolonged effect after discontinuation.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Azithromycin dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: PO 5–10 mg/kg q24h; PO 5–10 mg/kg q24h; PO 5–10 mg/kg q24h; PO 5–10 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Azithromycin in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Azithromycin in dogs include: 5-7 days, or pulse therapy q48h for chronic conditions; 10 days; Months (in combination with other antimycobacterials); 5-7 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Azithromycin is indicated in dogs for: Respiratory infections, Bartonella, skin, Papillomatosis, Mycobacterial infections, Kennel cough (Bordetella adjunct).
These are general warnings for Azithromycin across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED orally in rabbits and guinea pigs (fatal dysbiosis). May cause GI upset. Long tissue half-life means prolonged effect after discontinuation.
Why a species-specific page? Azithromycin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — 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.