Livestock · Bos taurus · typical adult weight 250.00–900.00 kg
Ivermectin is dosed at 0.2 mg/kg PO single dose in cattle, per US FDA. Ivomec Cattle Paste 0.153% (ivermectin), NADA 137-006, Boehringer Ingelheim. https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/retrievePreviewBean/2012 - cattle (beef; dairy not of breeding age); 23 mg per 250 lb BW (0.2 mg/kg) orally; meat 24 d; no milk withdrawal established.. Ivermectin is used in cattle for GI nematodes, lungworms, Internal and external parasites. Routes documented in cattle: PO, SC. A typical adult cattle weighs 250.00–900.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ivermectin in cattle, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ivomec, Heartgard
Contraindicated in Tortoise / Turtle
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.2 mg/kg | single dose | GI nematodes, lungworms | Strong | US FDA. Ivomec Cattle Paste 0.153% (ivermectin), NADA 137-006, Boehringer Ingelheim. https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/retrievePreviewBean/2012 - cattle (beef; dairy not of breeding age); 23 mg per 250 lb BW (0.2 mg/kg) orally; meat 24 d; no milk withdrawal established. |
| SC | 0.2 mg/kg | single dose | Internal and external parasites | Strong | Ivomec® 1% Injection for Cattle and Swine [Product Label]. Merial; 2010. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.739 (2026-08-01). |
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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.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cattle may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ivermectin dose ranges in cattle, with cited source references: PO 0.2 mg/kg single dose; SC 0.2 mg/kg single dose. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ivermectin in cattle: PO, SC.
Ivermectin is indicated in cattle for: GI nematodes, lungworms, Internal and external parasites.
These are general warnings for Ivermectin across species; consult the cattle dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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.
Why a species-specific page? Ivermectin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cattle — 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.