ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/chlorhexidine-shampoo
US brand names:ChlorhexiDerm, Hexadene
Disrupts bacterial cell membranes by binding to negatively charged cell wall components. Bactericidal at high concentrations, bacteriostatic at low. Residual antimicrobial activity on skin.
First-line medicated shampoo for pyoderma. Leave on 10 minutes for contact time. 4% formulation for deep pyoderma. May cause dryness — follow with conditioner. Avoid eyes and ears.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 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 | Gold standard for bacterial skin infections | Bathe 2-3x weekly; 10-min contact time | Strong | Murayama N, Nagata M, Terada Y, et al: Efficacy of a surgical scrub including 2% chlorhexidine acetate for canine superficial pyoderma. Vet Dermatol 2010. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00898.x — Verified against Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology, 7th Ed, p.200 (2026-08-01). |
| Cat (Domestic) | Topical | Use 2% concentration in cats | Bathe 1-2x weekly; 10-min contact time | Moderate | Verified against Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology, 7th Ed, p.261 (2026-08-01). |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.