Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Leflunomide is dosed at 2–4 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).. 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 | 2–4 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). |
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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 2–4 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.