Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Dantrolene is dosed at 1–5 mg/kg IV q15 min until effect in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed. Dantrolene is used in dogs for Malignant hyperthermia (emergency), Urethral sphincter spasm. Routes documented in dogs: IV, PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Dantrolene in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Dantrium
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 1–5 mg/kg | q15 min until effect | Emergency | Malignant hyperthermia (emergency) | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 1–5 mg/kg | q8h | Short-term | Urethral sphincter spasm | Weak | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.367 (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 calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via ryanodine receptor blockade, reducing skeletal muscle contraction strength.
Treatment of choice for malignant hyperthermia. Hepatotoxicity with chronic oral use. Muscle weakness. IV form requires large volume reconstitution. Monitor liver function.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dantrolene dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: IV 1–5 mg/kg q15 min until effect; PO 1–5 mg/kg q8h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dantrolene in dogs: IV, PO.
Cited course lengths for Dantrolene in dogs include: Emergency; Short-term. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Dantrolene is indicated in dogs for: Malignant hyperthermia (emergency), Urethral sphincter spasm.
These are general warnings for Dantrolene across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Treatment of choice for malignant hyperthermia. Hepatotoxicity with chronic oral use. Muscle weakness. IV form requires large volume reconstitution. Monitor liver function.
Why a species-specific page? Dantrolene 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.