Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Isotretinoin is dosed at 1–2 mg/kg PO q24h in dogs, per Werner AH, Power HT: Retinoids in veterinary dermatology. Clin Dermatol 12(4):579-586, 1994. doi:10.1016/0738-081x(94)90226-7 — Verified against Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology, 7th Ed, p.152 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.152' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.140; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.140. — SOURCE EDITION: Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology — ISBN 9781416000280, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781416000280. Isotretinoin is used in dogs for Intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma, Sebaceous adenitis / idiopathic seborrhea. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Isotretinoin in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Accutane, Claravis
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 1–2 mg/kg | q24h | Chronic use; monitor lipids and liver quarterly | Intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma | Moderate | Werner AH, Power HT: Retinoids in veterinary dermatology. Clin Dermatol 12(4):579-586, 1994. doi:10.1016/0738-081x(94)90226-7 — Verified against Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology, 7th Ed, p.152 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.152' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.140; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.140. — SOURCE EDITION: Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology — ISBN 9781416000280, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781416000280 |
| PO | 1–2 mg/kg | q12h-q24h | 3-4 month trial; chronic in some cases | Sebaceous adenitis / idiopathic seborrhea | Moderate | White SD, Rosychuk RA, Scott KV, et al: Sebaceous adenitis in dogs and results of treatment with isotretinoin and etretinate: 30 cases (1990-1994). J Am Vet Med Assoc 207(2):197-200, 1995. — Verified against Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology, 7th Ed, p.591 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology — ISBN 9781416000280, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781416000280 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.444 | • 1-3 mg/kg/day (up to a maximum recommended dose of 3-4 mg/kg/day PO). |
| 3–4 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.444 | • 1-3 mg/kg/day (up to a maximum recommended dose of 3-4 mg/kg/day PO). |
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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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.
13-cis-retinoic acid that decreases sebaceous gland size and sebum production. Normalizes follicular keratinization and has anti-inflammatory effects.
Highly teratogenic — do not use in pregnant or breeding animals. Causes keratoconjunctivitis sicca, hepatotoxicity, and hyperostosis. Monitor tear production, liver enzymes, and triglycerides.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Isotretinoin dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: PO 1–2 mg/kg q24h; PO 1–2 mg/kg q12h-q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Isotretinoin in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Isotretinoin in dogs include: Chronic use; monitor lipids and liver quarterly; 3-4 month trial; chronic in some cases. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Isotretinoin is indicated in dogs for: Intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma, Sebaceous adenitis / idiopathic seborrhea.
These are general warnings for Isotretinoin across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Highly teratogenic — do not use in pregnant or breeding animals. Causes keratoconjunctivitis sicca, hepatotoxicity, and hyperostosis. Monitor tear production, liver enzymes, and triglycerides.
Why a species-specific page? Isotretinoin 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.