Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Cefazolin is dosed at 22 mg/kg IV q2h intraoperative in dogs, per MarcellinLittle DJ, Papich MG, Richardson DC, DeYoung DJ. Pharmacokinetic model for cefazolin distribution during total hip arthroplasty in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 1996;57:720-723. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1996.57.05.720 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.228 (2026-08-01).. Cefazolin is used in dogs for Surgical prophylaxis. Routes documented in dogs: IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cefazolin in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ancef, Kefzol
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 22 mg/kg | q2h intraoperative | Single dose pre-op, repeat q2h during surgery | Surgical prophylaxis | Strong | MarcellinLittle DJ, Papich MG, Richardson DC, DeYoung DJ. Pharmacokinetic model for cefazolin distribution during total hip arthroplasty in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 1996;57:720-723. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1996.57.05.720 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.228 (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.
Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. First-generation cephalosporin with excellent gram-positive coverage. Commonly used for surgical prophylaxis.
Perioperative use common. Adjust dose in renal impairment. Pain at IM injection site.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Cefazolin dose range in dogs, with cited source references: IV 22 mg/kg q2h intraoperative. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Cefazolin in dogs: IV.
Cited course lengths for Cefazolin in dogs include: Single dose pre-op, repeat q2h during surgery. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Cefazolin is indicated in dogs for: Surgical prophylaxis.
These are general warnings for Cefazolin across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Perioperative use common. Adjust dose in renal impairment. Pain at IM injection site.
Why a species-specific page? Cefazolin 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.