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 BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed, Part A — Canine and Feline, Azithromycin, printed p.40 (Use: "Useful in the management of respiratory tract, mild to moderate skin and soft tissue, and […]") and printed p.41 (DOSES: "Dogs: 5-10 mg/kg p.o. q24h. May increase dosing interval to q48h after 3-5 days of treatment."). Clinical caution from Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Azithromycin monograph, printed p.121: "Azithromycin also has activity against Mycobacterium spp, but it is not recommended for Mycobacterium avium complex.". Azithromycin is used in dogs for Mycobacterial infections, Susceptible infections (extra-label) — remove 'Bartonella' and 'skin'. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 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 | Months (in combination with other antimycobacterials) | Mycobacterial infections | Moderate |
| BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed, Part A — Canine and Feline, Azithromycin, printed p.40 (Use: "Useful in the management of respiratory tract, mild to moderate skin and soft tissue, and […]") and printed p.41 (DOSES: "Dogs: 5-10 mg/kg p.o. q24h. May increase dosing interval to q48h after 3-5 days of treatment."). Clinical caution from Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Azithromycin monograph, printed p.121: "Azithromycin also has activity against Mycobacterium spp, but it is not recommended for Mycobacterium avium complex."Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h | 5-7 days, or pulse therapy q48h for chronic conditions | Susceptible infections (extra-label) — remove 'Bartonella' and 'skin' | Strong | Plumb's 10th ed printed p.122, Azithromycin monograph spanning p.120-122.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–10 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.57 | 5-10 mg/kg p.o. q24h. May increase dosing interval to q48h after 3-5 days of treatment |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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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. 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: Months (in combination with other antimycobacterials); 5-7 days, or pulse therapy q48h for chronic conditions. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Azithromycin is indicated in dogs for: Mycobacterial infections, Susceptible infections (extra-label) — remove 'Bartonella' and 'skin'.
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.