Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Cytarabine is dosed at 50 mg/m2 SC SC q12h x 2 days, repeat q3 weeks in dogs, per Zarfoss M, Schatzberg S, Venator K, et al. Combined cytosine arabinoside and prednisone therapy for meningoencephalitis of unknown aetiology in 10 dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 2006;47(10):588-595. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.2006.00172.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.358 (2026-08-01).. Cytarabine is used in dogs for GME (granulomatous meningoencephalitis). Routes documented in dogs: SC. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cytarabine in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Cytosar-U
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 50 mg/m2 | SC q12h x 2 days, repeat q3 weeks | Multiple cycles | GME (granulomatous meningoencephalitis) | Moderate | Zarfoss M, Schatzberg S, Venator K, et al. Combined cytosine arabinoside and prednisone therapy for meningoencephalitis of unknown aetiology in 10 dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 2006;47(10):588-595. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.2006.00172.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.358 (2026-08-01). |
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Converted to ara-CTP which inhibits DNA polymerase and incorporates into DNA causing chain termination. S-phase specific.
Used for lymphoma/leukemia protocols and GME. Myelosuppression dose-limiting. SC CRI protocol for GME (cytarabine arabinoside). Handle with chemotherapy precautions.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Cytarabine dose range in dogs, with cited source references: SC 50 mg/m2 SC q12h x 2 days, repeat q3 weeks. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Cytarabine in dogs: SC.
Cited course lengths for Cytarabine in dogs include: Multiple cycles. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Cytarabine is indicated in dogs for: GME (granulomatous meningoencephalitis).
These are general warnings for Cytarabine across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Used for lymphoma/leukemia protocols and GME. Myelosuppression dose-limiting. SC CRI protocol for GME (cytarabine arabinoside). Handle with chemotherapy precautions.
Why a species-specific page? Cytarabine 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.