Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Loperamide is dosed at 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q8-12h in dogs, per Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.803 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.775, Loperamide monograph spanning p.775-776; 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. Loperamide is used in dogs for Non-infectious diarrhea, Acute noninfectious diarrhea. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Loperamide in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Imodium
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | q8-12h | Short-term only | Non-infectious diarrhea | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.803 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.775, Loperamide monograph spanning p.775-776; 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 |
| PO | 0.08–0.2 mg/kg | q8-12h | 1-3 days max | Acute noninfectious diarrhea | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.803 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.775, Loperamide monograph spanning p.775-776; 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.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.04–0.2 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.252 | 0.04-0.2 mg/kg p.o. q8-12h. |
| 0.12 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.486 | • 0.12 mg/kg q8-12h PO. • 0.08-0.16 mg/kg q12h PO. |
| 0.08–0.16 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.486 | • 0.12 mg/kg q8-12h PO. • 0.08-0.16 mg/kg q12h 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.
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Mu-opioid receptor agonist in GI tract, slowing motility and increasing segmental contractions. Increases fluid/electrolyte absorption.
CONTRAINDICATED in MDR1-mutant dogs (crosses BBB — severe CNS depression). Avoid in cats. Do not use in infectious diarrhea. May cause constipation, bloating, ileus.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Loperamide dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: PO 0.1–0.2 mg/kg q8-12h; PO 0.08–0.2 mg/kg q8-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Loperamide in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Loperamide in dogs include: Short-term only; 1-3 days max. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Loperamide is indicated in dogs for: Non-infectious diarrhea, Acute noninfectious diarrhea.
These are general warnings for Loperamide across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED in MDR1-mutant dogs (crosses BBB — severe CNS depression). Avoid in cats. Do not use in infectious diarrhea. May cause constipation, bloating, ileus.
Why a species-specific page? Loperamide 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.