Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Leflunomide is dosed at 3–4.5 mg/kg PO q24h in dogs, per Swann JW, Garden OA, Fellman CL, et al. ACVIM consensus statement on the treatment of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2019;33(3):1141-1172. doi:10.1111/jvim.15463; Colopy SA, Baker TA, Muir P. Efficacy of leflunomide for treatment of immune-mediated polyarthritis in dogs: 14 cases (2006-2008). Javma-Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2010;236(3):312-318. doi:10.2460/javma.236.3.312 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.766 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.738, Leflunomide monograph spanning p.738-739; 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. Leflunomide is used in dogs for Immune-mediated polyarthritis. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Leflunomide in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Arava
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 3–4.5 mg/kg | q24h | Weeks to months | Immune-mediated polyarthritis | Moderate | Swann JW, Garden OA, Fellman CL, et al. ACVIM consensus statement on the treatment of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2019;33(3):1141-1172. doi:10.1111/jvim.15463; Colopy SA, Baker TA, Muir P. Efficacy of leflunomide for treatment of immune-mediated polyarthritis in dogs: 14 cases (2006-2008). Javma-Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2010;236(3):312-318. doi:10.2460/javma.236.3.312 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.766 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.738, Leflunomide monograph spanning p.738-739; 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 |
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 (%) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.467 | q24h PO. After an induction period, the dose may be decreased by 25% incre- |
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.241 | 2.0 mg/kg p.o. q24h. 226 BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th edition: Part A - Canine and Feline |
| 4 |
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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 dihydroorotate dehydrogenase blocking de novo pyrimidine synthesis in rapidly dividing lymphocytes. Immunomodulatory.
Used for immune-mediated polyarthritis and other immune-mediated diseases. Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes. Teratogenic. Diarrhea, anorexia. Slow onset (weeks).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Leflunomide dose range in dogs, with cited source references: PO 3–4.5 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Leflunomide in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Leflunomide in dogs include: Weeks to months. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Leflunomide is indicated in dogs for: Immune-mediated polyarthritis.
These are general warnings for Leflunomide across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Used for immune-mediated polyarthritis and other immune-mediated diseases. Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes. Teratogenic. Diarrhea, anorexia. Slow onset (weeks).
Why a species-specific page? Leflunomide 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.
| — |
| Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.467 |
| • 4 mg/kg per day, usually in divided doses of 2 mg/kg q12h, tapered to 2 mg/kg |
| 2 | — | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.467 | • 4 mg/kg per day, usually in divided doses of 2 mg/kg q12h, tapered to 2 mg/kg |
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.