Which species have cited Chlorhexidine dosing data?

Chlorhexidine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 5 species: Ball Python, Bearded Dragon, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Guinea Pig.

Is Chlorhexidine a controlled substance?

Chlorhexidine is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Chlorhexidine

US brand names:Nolvasan, CHX Guard

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Ophthalmic

Routes

TOPICAL

Indications

Dental home care rinseDental rinseInterdigital dermatitis (foot soaks)mouth rot (stomatitis)oral wound carePyoderma (topical therapy)Scale rotskin antisepsissurgical prepWound cleaningWound lavagewound management

Mechanism of Action

Cationic biguanide that disrupts bacterial cell membranes. Broad-spectrum bactericidal with residual activity on skin.

Side effects & warnings

TOXIC to cats at concentrations >0.05% for mucous membranes. Ototoxic — never use in ear canal if tympanic membrane is ruptured. Dilute appropriately for wound lavage (0.05%). Inactivated by organic matter.

Species with Chlorhexidine dosing data (9 dose rules)

Ball Python Bearded Dragon Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Guinea Pig

Species references:All Ball Python drugs All Bearded Dragon drugs All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Guinea Pig drugs

Evidence levels across 9 dose rules

Moderate×6Strong×3

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 4 published sources

· Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Verified against Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles) (2026-08-01). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table and not the page is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929
· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy) — Chlorhexidine, Topical monograph and its product tables, printed p.1442-1446 (corpus PDF p.1469-1473). The ORAL RINSES product table carrying the 0.12% dog-and-cat concentration is on printed p.1446, a page whose running head already reads "Chloroxylenol, Topical". — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207
· Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets, p.85 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.85' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.71; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.71. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712,

Sample dosing (2 of 9 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 5 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	TOPICAL	See the cited source for the printed regimen	q12-24h	Strong	Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1470 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1442, Chlorhexidine, Topical monograph spanning p.1442-1445; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207
Dog (Domestic)	TOPICAL	See the cited source for the printed regimen	q24-48h	Strong	Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1470 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1442, Chlorhexidine, Topical monograph spanning p.1442-1445; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207,

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