Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Ketoconazole is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q12h in dogs, per Sharp NJ, Sullivan M. Use of ketoconazole in the treatment of canine nasal aspergillosis. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1989;194(6):782-786. doi:10.2460/javma.1989.194.06.782 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.755 (2026-08-01).. Ketoconazole is used in dogs for Systemic fungal infections, Cushing's (off-label), Dermatophytosis / Malassezia / blastomycosis. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ketoconazole in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Nizoral
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | 2-3 months for dermatophytes; lifelong for Cushing's | Systemic fungal infections, Cushing's (off-label) | Moderate | Sharp NJ, Sullivan M. Use of ketoconazole in the treatment of canine nasal aspergillosis. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1989;194(6):782-786. doi:10.2460/javma.1989.194.06.782 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.755 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | 4-8 weeks (dermatophytosis); months (systemic) | Dermatophytosis / Malassezia / blastomycosis | Strong | Hillier A. Why are these nails falling off? Claw diseases of the dog. Presented at: Atlantic Coast Vet Conference (ACVC); 2015. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.755 (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 lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase (CYP51), blocking ergosterol synthesis in fungal membranes. At high doses, inhibits adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis.
Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes. Strong CYP inhibitor (many drug interactions). Requires gastric acid for absorption (do not give with antacids). Also used for Cushing's disease (adrenal steroidogenesis inhibition).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketoconazole dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: PO 5–10 mg/kg q12h; PO 5–10 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketoconazole in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Ketoconazole in dogs include: 2-3 months for dermatophytes; lifelong for Cushing's; 4-8 weeks (dermatophytosis); months (systemic). Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ketoconazole is indicated in dogs for: Systemic fungal infections, Cushing's (off-label), Dermatophytosis / Malassezia / blastomycosis.
These are general warnings for Ketoconazole across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes. Strong CYP inhibitor (many drug interactions). Requires gastric acid for absorption (do not give with antacids). Also used for Cushing's disease (adrenal steroidogenesis inhibition).
Why a species-specific page? Ketoconazole 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.