Diazepam for Dogs

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, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted), Diazepam, book p.380 (corpus PDF p.407), DOGS - cluster seizures or status epilepticus (extra-label), IV (bolus) — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. 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

Dose ranges

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)	Weak

Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted), Diazepam, book p.380 (corpus PDF p.407), DOGS - cluster seizures or status epilepticus (extra-label), IV (bolus) — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

What each reference text prints

Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.

The sources disagree for this combination. The ranges below do not overlap on a comparable route. This is not an error in one of them — published veterinary references differ, and reconciling them for a particular patient is a clinical judgement.

Printed doses in % for this drug and species, by source
Dose (%)	Route	Source	As printed
50	—	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.257	• CRI: 15 mcg/kg/min (1 mg/kg/hr), which can be decreased by 50% in some

Printed doses in mcg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mcg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
15	—	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.257	• CRI: 15 mcg/kg/min (1 mg/kg/hr), which can be decreased by 50% in some

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Mechanism of action

Enhances GABA-A receptor activity by binding the benzodiazepine site, increasing chloride ion conductance, producing sedation, anxiolysis, muscle relaxation, and anticonvulsant effects.

Side effects & warnings

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Diazepam for Dogs?

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.

How is Diazepam administered in Dogs?

Documented routes for Diazepam in dogs: IV, RECTAL.

How long is Diazepam given in Dogs?

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.

What conditions does Diazepam treat in Dogs?

Diazepam is indicated in dogs for: Status epilepticus (emergency), At-home seizure emergency.

What are the side effects of Diazepam in Dogs?

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.

Printed doses in mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
0.5–2	PO	BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.136	0.5-2.0 mg/kg p.o as required.
0.2–0.5	IV	BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.136	0.2-0.5 mg/kg i.v., i.m.
0.5–1	IV	BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.136	ures, including status epilepticus: bolus dose of 0.5-1 mg/kg i.v. or intrarectally (if venous access is not available). Time to onset of clinical effe
1	—	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.257	• CRI: 15 mcg/kg/min (1 mg/kg/hr), which can be decreased by 50% in some
0.2	IV	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed

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.