Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Diazepam is dosed at 0.5–1 mg/kg IV q10 min, up to 3 doses in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th ed., Diazepam, book p.380 (corpus PDF p.407), DOGS - cluster seizures or status epilepticus (extra-label), IV (bolus). Diazepam is used in dogs for Status epilepticus (emergency), At-home seizure emergency. Routes documented in dogs: IV, RECTAL. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Diazepam in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Valium
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q10 min, up to 3 doses | Emergency acute seizure control | Status epilepticus (emergency) | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th ed., Diazepam, book p.380 (corpus PDF p.407), DOGS - cluster seizures or status epilepticus (extra-label), IV (bolus) |
| RECTAL | 0.5–2 mg/kg | at seizure onset; up to 3 times in 24 hours | Emergency | At-home seizure emergency | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th ed., Diazepam, book p.380 (corpus PDF p.407), DOGS - cluster seizures or status epilepticus (extra-label), Rectal |
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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.
Enhances GABA-A receptor activity by binding the benzodiazepine site, increasing chloride ion conductance, producing sedation, anxiolysis, muscle relaxation, and anticonvulsant effects.
HEPATOTOXICITY in cats (oral use — acute hepatic necrosis, sometimes fatal). Short duration in dogs (rapid redistribution). Avoid IM (erratic absorption). Reversible with flumazenil. Controlled substance.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Diazepam dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: IV 0.5–1 mg/kg q10 min, up to 3 doses; RECTAL 0.5–2 mg/kg at seizure onset; up to 3 times in 24 hours. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Diazepam in dogs: IV, RECTAL.
Cited course lengths for Diazepam in dogs include: Emergency acute seizure control; Emergency. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Diazepam is indicated in dogs for: Status epilepticus (emergency), At-home seizure emergency.
These are general warnings for Diazepam across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. HEPATOTOXICITY in cats (oral use — acute hepatic necrosis, sometimes fatal). Short duration in dogs (rapid redistribution). Avoid IM (erratic absorption). Reversible with flumazenil. Controlled substance.
Why a species-specific page? Diazepam 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.