L-Carnitine for Dog
Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
L-Carnitine is used in dog for Dilated cardiomyopathy (adjunctive). Routes documented in dog: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for L-Carnitine in dog, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Carnitor
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 50–100 mg/kg | q8-12h | Long-term | Dilated cardiomyopathy (adjunctive) | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Mechanism of action
Essential for transport of long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation. Required for myocardial energy metabolism.
Side effects & warnings
Used for dilated cardiomyopathy (especially Boxers, Dobermans, Cocker Spaniels) and hepatic lipidosis in cats. Very safe. GI upset at high doses. Expensive at therapeutic doses.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dog may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Other Supplement drugs with dog dosing
L-Carnitine dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? L-Carnitine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dog — 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.