Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Dexamethasone is dosed at 0.1–0.5 mg/kg IM q24h in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.364, Dexamethasone monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Dexamethasone is used in dogs for Anti-inflammatory, immune-mediated disease, Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (diagnostic), IMHA (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia), Anti-inflammatory (when PO/IM/IV not feasible). Routes documented in dogs: IM, IV, PO, SC. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 5 cited dose rules for Dexamethasone in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Azium, Dexafort
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.1–0.5 mg/kg | q24h | Short course; taper | Anti-inflammatory, immune-mediated disease | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.364, Dexamethasone monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| IV | 0.01 mg/kg | once | Single diagnostic dose | Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (diagnostic) | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.364, Dexamethasone monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| IV | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q12-24h | Taper over weeks-months | IMHA (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia) | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.364, Dexamethasone monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| PO | 0.05–0.2 mg/kg | q12-24h | Taper over weeks | Anti-inflammatory, immune-mediated disease | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.391 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; 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 |
| SC | 0.1–0.3 mg/kg | q24h | Short course | Anti-inflammatory (when PO/IM/IV not feasible) | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.364, Dexamethasone monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1–0.3 | — | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.131 | anti-inflammatory dose 0.1-0.3 mg/kg. |
| 0.2 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.131 | 0.2 mg/kg i.v. repeat daily until able to use oral medication. |
| 0.01–0.16 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.131 | 0.01-0.16 mg/kg i.m., s.c., p.o. q24h for 3-5 days maximum. |
| 0.5 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.131 | 0.5 mg/kg i.v. once. |
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Potent synthetic glucocorticoid. Suppresses inflammation, immune responses, and allergic reactions. 25-30x potency of cortisol.
Immunosuppressive. PU/PD, polyphagia. Avoid in active infections without antibiotic coverage. Prolonged use causes iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. Avoid in reptiles if possible (severe immunosuppression).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dexamethasone dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: IM 0.1–0.5 mg/kg q24h; IV 0.01 mg/kg once; IV 0.2–0.5 mg/kg q12-24h; PO 0.05–0.2 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dexamethasone in dogs: IM, IV, PO, SC.
Cited course lengths for Dexamethasone in dogs include: Short course; taper; Single diagnostic dose; Taper over weeks-months; Taper over weeks. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Dexamethasone is indicated in dogs for: Anti-inflammatory, immune-mediated disease, Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (diagnostic), IMHA (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia), Anti-inflammatory (when PO/IM/IV not feasible).
These are general warnings for Dexamethasone across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Immunosuppressive. PU/PD, polyphagia. Avoid in active infections without antibiotic coverage. Prolonged use causes iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. Avoid in reptiles if possible (severe immunosuppression).
Why a species-specific page? Dexamethasone 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.
| 0.3–5 |
| IM |
| BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.131 |
| 0.3-5 mg/kg i.m., s.c., p.o. q24h for up to 5 days. |
| 0.01–0.015 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.131 | low dose dexamethasone suppression test (0.01-0.015 mg/kg i.v.) |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.