Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Chlorhexidine is used in dogs for Wound lavage, surgical prep, skin antisepsis, Interdigital dermatitis (foot soaks), Dental home care rinse, Pyoderma (topical therapy). Routes documented in dogs: TOPICAL. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 4 cited dose rules for Chlorhexidine in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Nolvasan, CHX Guard
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOPICAL | See the cited source for the printed regimen | q12-24h | As needed | Wound lavage, surgical prep, skin antisepsis | 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 |
| TOPICAL | See the cited source for the printed regimen | q24h | Daily soaks for 10 minutes | Interdigital dermatitis (foot soaks) | Moderate | 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 |
| TOPICAL | See the cited source for the printed regimen | q12h | Ongoing dental care | Dental home care rinse | Moderate | 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 |
| TOPICAL | See the cited source for the printed regimen | q24-48h | During treatment course | Pyoderma (topical therapy) | 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 |
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Cationic biguanide that disrupts bacterial cell membranes. Broad-spectrum bactericidal with residual activity on skin.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Chlorhexidine dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: TOPICAL See the cited source for the printed regimen q12-24h; TOPICAL See the cited source for the printed regimen q24h; TOPICAL See the cited source for the printed regimen q12h; TOPICAL See the cited source for the printed regimen q24-48h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Chlorhexidine in dogs: TOPICAL.
Cited course lengths for Chlorhexidine in dogs include: As needed; Daily soaks for 10 minutes; Ongoing dental care; During treatment course. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Chlorhexidine is indicated in dogs for: Wound lavage, surgical prep, skin antisepsis, Interdigital dermatitis (foot soaks), Dental home care rinse, Pyoderma (topical therapy).
These are general warnings for Chlorhexidine across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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.
Why a species-specific page? Chlorhexidine 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.