Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Contraindicated in Tortoise / Turtle
Ivermectin is dosed at 0.2–0.4 mg/kg PO q7d x 4 treatments in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.709, Ivermectin monograph spanning p.709-713. — Plumb's 10th ed, Ivermectin monograph, printed p.709-713. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.712, Ivermectin monograph. Ivermectin is used in dogs for Sarcoptic mange, Heartworm prevention, Generalized demodicosis (high dose), Sarcoptic mange, cheyletiellosis. Routes documented in dogs: PO, SC. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 5 cited dose rules for Ivermectin in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ivomec, Heartgard
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.2–0.4 mg/kg | q7d x 4 treatments | 3-4 weekly treatments | Sarcoptic mange | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.709, Ivermectin monograph spanning p.709-713. — Plumb's 10th ed, Ivermectin monograph, printed p.709-713. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.712, Ivermectin monograph.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO | 0.006–0.012 mg/kg | q30d | Monthly for prevention; daily for demodicosis (0.3-0.6 mg/kg) | Heartworm prevention | Strong | Heartgard® Tablets [Package Insert]. Merial; 2015. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.709, Ivermectin monograph spanning p.709-713. — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Ivermectin monograph, printed p.711, DOGS: "Heartworm prevention (label dosage; FDA-approved): Minimum dosage of 6 ug/kg (0.006 mg/kg) PO per month."Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO | 0.3–0.6 mg/kg | q24h | Until 2 negative skin scrapings 1 month apart | Generalized demodicosis (high dose) | Strong |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
The sources disagree for this combination. The ranges below do not overlap on a comparable route. This is not an error in one of them — published veterinary references differ, and reconciling them for a particular patient is a clinical judgement.
| Dose (mcg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.232 | 300-600 μg (micrograms)/kg p.o. daily. • Effective for sarcoptic mange (200-400 μg/kg p.o., s.c. q2wks for |
| 200–400 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.232 | s)/kg p.o. daily. • Effective for sarcoptic mange (200-400 μg/kg p.o., s.c. q2wks for 4-6 weeks) and cheyletiellosis (200-300 μg/kg p.o., s.c. |
| 200–300 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.232 | μg/kg p.o., s.c. q2wks for 4-6 weeks) and cheyletiellosis (200-300 μg/kg p.o., s.c. q1-2wks for 6-8 weeks) but other options (selamectin, moxidectin) a |
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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 dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ivermectin dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: PO 0.2–0.4 mg/kg q7d x 4 treatments; PO 0.006–0.012 mg/kg q30d; PO 0.3–0.6 mg/kg q24h; SC 0.2–0.4 mg/kg q14d. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ivermectin in dogs: PO, SC.
Cited course lengths for Ivermectin in dogs include: 3-4 weekly treatments; Monthly for prevention; daily for demodicosis (0.3-0.6 mg/kg); Until 2 negative skin scrapings 1 month apart; 2-4 treatments. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ivermectin is indicated in dogs for: Sarcoptic mange, Heartworm prevention, Generalized demodicosis (high dose), Sarcoptic mange, cheyletiellosis.
These are general warnings for Ivermectin across species; consult the dog 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 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.
| 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 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.709, Ivermectin monograph spanning p.709-713. |
| SC | 0.2–0.4 mg/kg | q14d | 2-4 treatments | Sarcoptic mange | Moderate | Koch S, Torres S, Plumb DC. Small Animal Dermatology Drug Handbook. Wiley-Blackwell; 2012. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.709, Ivermectin monograph spanning p.709-713.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| SC | 0.2–0.4 mg/kg | q14d for 3 treatments | As needed | Sarcoptic mange, cheyletiellosis | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.709, Ivermectin monograph spanning p.709-713. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.712, Ivermectin monograph.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| 6 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.450 | • Heartworm preventative: 6 mcg/kg q30day PO. |
| 50 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.450 | • Microfilaricide: 50 mcg/kg PO 2 weeks after adulticide therapy. |
| 200–400 | IM | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.450 | • Ectoparasite therapy: 200-400 mcg/kg (0.2-0.4 mg/kg) IM, SQ, or PO. |
| 100 | — | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.450 | • Demodicosis therapy: Start with 100 mcg/kg/day (0.1 mg/kg) and increase dose |
| 100 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.450 | by 100 mcg/kg/day to 600 mcg/kg/day (0.6 mg/kg) for 60-120 days PO. |
| 600 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.450 | by 100 mcg/kg/day to 600 mcg/kg/day (0.6 mg/kg) for 60-120 days PO. |
| 200–400 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.450 | • Sarcoptic mange and Cheyletiellosis therapy: 200-400 mcg/kg q7days PO or |
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.450 | with doxycycline at 10 mg/kg PO per day periodically (4 weeks at a time) for |
| 0.2–0.4 | IM | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.450 | • Ectoparasite therapy: 200-400 mcg/kg (0.2-0.4 mg/kg) IM, SQ, or PO. |
| 0.1 | — | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.450 | • Demodicosis therapy: Start with 100 mcg/kg/day (0.1 mg/kg) and increase dose |
| 0.6 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.450 | by 100 mcg/kg/day to 600 mcg/kg/day (0.6 mg/kg) for 60-120 days 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.