Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Dimercaprol (BAL) is dosed at 2.5–5 mg/kg IM q4h x 2 days, then q12h until recovery in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed (2023) [DB cites 9th], printed p.401 (corpus PDF p.428), DOGS & CATS 'Arsenic toxicosis'; concordant with BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed Part A, printed p.127 (PDF p.143) — EDITION NOTE 2026-08-06: this rule's Plumb's reference names the 9th edition, which is not held and was never consulted. The held copy is the 10th ed (2023). The Plumb's line was never confirmed against the held edition, so rely on it only as background; any other source named in this citation is unaffected. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Dimercaprol (BAL) is used in dogs for Arsenic/Gold poisoning. Routes documented in dogs: IM. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Dimercaprol (BAL) in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: BAL in Oil
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 2.5–5 mg/kg | q4h x 2 days, then q12h until recovery | Intensive first 48 hours with frequent dosing, then taper over 5-7 days | Arsenic/Gold poisoning | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed (2023) [DB cites 9th], printed p.401 (corpus PDF p.428), DOGS & CATS 'Arsenic toxicosis'; concordant with BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed Part A, printed p.127 (PDF p.143) — EDITION NOTE 2026-08-06: this rule's Plumb's reference names the 9th edition, which is not held and was never consulted. The held copy is the 10th ed (2023). The Plumb's line was never confirmed against the held edition, so rely on it only as background; any other source named in this citation is unaffected. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5–5 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.143 | 2.5-5 mg/kg i.m. q4h for 2 days, then progressively increase dosing interval to q12h until recovery. |
| 5 | — | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.143 | increase dosing interval to q12h until recovery. (Note: the 5 mg/kg dose should only be used on the first day when severe acute intoxication occurs.) Aggress |
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.
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Dithiol compound that chelates arsenic, gold, mercury, and lead by forming stable ring complexes excreted via bile and urine.
Painful IM injection. Peanut oil vehicle — avoid in peanut-allergic patients. Hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic. Hypertensive crisis possible. Keep patient NPO during treatment.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dimercaprol (BAL) dose range in dogs, with cited source references: IM 2.5–5 mg/kg q4h x 2 days, then q12h until recovery. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dimercaprol (BAL) in dogs: IM.
Cited course lengths for Dimercaprol (BAL) in dogs include: Intensive first 48 hours with frequent dosing, then taper over 5-7 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Dimercaprol (BAL) is indicated in dogs for: Arsenic/Gold poisoning.
These are general warnings for Dimercaprol (BAL) across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Painful IM injection. Peanut oil vehicle — avoid in peanut-allergic patients. Hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic. Hypertensive crisis possible. Keep patient NPO during treatment.
Why a species-specific page? Dimercaprol (BAL) 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.