Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Doxycycline is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg IV q12h in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed. Doxycycline is used in dogs for Severe tick-borne disease, hospitalized patients, Tick-borne diseases, respiratory infections, Lyme, Leptospirosis (elimination phase), Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRD). Routes documented in dogs: IV, PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 7 cited dose rules for Doxycycline in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Vibramycin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | Until oral feasible | Severe tick-borne disease, hospitalized patients | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12-24h | 14-28 days for tick-borne diseases | Tick-borne diseases, respiratory infections, Lyme | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5 mg/kg | q12h | 14 days minimum | Leptospirosis (elimination phase) | Strong | Carrade DD, Foley JE, Borjesson DL, Sykes JE. Canine granulocytic anaplasmosis: a review. J Vet Intern Med. 2009;23:1129-1141. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2009.0384.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | 10-14 days | Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRD) | Strong | Nelson C, McCall JW, Jones S, Moorhead AR. American Heartworm Society Current Canine Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) Infection in Dogs. American Heartworm Society website; https://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/american-heartworm-society-guidelines. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.07.008 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | 14-21 days | Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 10 mg/kg | q12h | 4 weeks before melarsomine; 30 days concurrent with ivermectin | Heartworm treatment adjunct (slow kill) | Strong | Nelson C, McCall JW, Jones S, Moorhead AR. American Heartworm Society Current Canine Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) Infection in Dogs. American Heartworm Society website; https://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/american-heartworm-society-guidelines. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.07.008 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | 14-28 days | Anaplasmosis | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.463 (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 protein synthesis by binding to 30S ribosomal subunit, preventing aminoacyl-tRNA attachment.
Can cause esophageal strictures in cats if not followed by water. Photosensitivity. Avoid in pregnant animals (tooth discoloration in fetus).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Doxycycline dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: IV 5–10 mg/kg q12h; PO 5–10 mg/kg q12-24h; PO 5 mg/kg q12h; PO 5–10 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Doxycycline in dogs: IV, PO.
Cited course lengths for Doxycycline in dogs include: Until oral feasible; 14-28 days for tick-borne diseases; 14 days minimum; 10-14 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Doxycycline is indicated in dogs for: Severe tick-borne disease, hospitalized patients, Tick-borne diseases, respiratory infections, Lyme, Leptospirosis (elimination phase), Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRD), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Heartworm treatment adjunct (slow kill), Anaplasmosis.
These are general warnings for Doxycycline across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Can cause esophageal strictures in cats if not followed by water. Photosensitivity. Avoid in pregnant animals (tooth discoloration in fetus).
Why a species-specific page? Doxycycline 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.