ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/ivermectin
US brand names:Ivomec, Heartgard
Contraindicated in Tortoise / Turtle
Ivermectin is dosed at 0.2 mg/kg SC Once, repeat in 14 days in ball pythons, per Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. / 127. Flach EJ, Riley J, Mutlow AG, et al. Pentastomiasis in Bosc’s monitor lizards (Varanus exanthematicus) caused by an undescribed Sambonia species. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2000;31:91-95. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.227 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, . Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Potentiates glutamate-gated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of parasites.
TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 41 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 0.006–0.012 mg/kg | q30d | Strong | Heartgard® Tablets [Package Insert]. Merial; 2015. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.738 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.709, Ivermectin monograph spanning p.709-713; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Ivermectin monograph, printed p.711 (corpus PDF p.738), DOGS: "Heartworm prevention (label dosage; FDA-approved): Minimum dosage of 6 ug/kg (0.006 mg/kg) PO per month." [INDICATION NARROWED 2026-08-12, two readers — the printed canine generalized-demodicosis target on printed p.712 is 600 ug/kg (0.6 mg/kg) PO once daily, 50 to 100 times this row's served dose.] |
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 0.3–0.6 mg/kg | q24h |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Species references:All African Clawed Frog drugsAll African Grey Parrot drugsAll African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Axolotl drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Blue-and-Gold Macaw drugsAll Budgerigar drugsAll Canary drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Cattle (Beef/Dairy) drugsAll Chicken (Poultry) drugsAll Chinchilla drugsAll Corn Snake drugsAll Degu drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Domestic Pigeon drugsAll Dwarf Hamster drugsAll Ferret drugs
| Mueller RS, Bensignor E, Ferrer L, et al. Treatment of demodicosis in dogs: 2011 clinical practice guidelines. Vet Dermatol. 2012;23(2):86-96, e20-21. / 50. Waisglass S. Demodicosis update--some considerations to increase your success rate. Presented at: WVC; 2009. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2011.01026.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.739 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.709, Ivermectin monograph spanning p.709-713; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |