Lorazepam for Dogs

Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg

Lorazepam is dosed at 0.05–0.2 mg/kg IV IV bolus, may repeat in dogs, per Naeser J, Lichtenberger M, Mariani C, Thamm DHM, Kirby R. Clinical comparison of lorazepam Vs. diazepam in the control of canine seizures. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2004;14(S1):S1-S17. doi:10.1111/j.1476-4431.2004.t01-30-04035.x doi:10.1111/j.1476-4431.2004.t01-30-04035.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.807 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.778, Lorazepam monograph spanning p.778-780; 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. Lorazepam is used in dogs for Status epilepticus. Routes documented in dogs: IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Lorazepam in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Ativan

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IV

What each reference text prints

Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.

Printed doses in mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
0.02–0.1	PO	BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.253	0.02-0.1 mg/kg p.o. q12-24h; start at lower dose and gradually increase.
0.05	PO	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.488	• 0.05 mg/kg q12h PO.
0.2	IV	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.488	• Seizures: 0.2 mg/kg IV. Repeat every 3-4 hours for seizure control if necessary;
0.2–0.4	IV	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.488	or 0.2 mg/kg bolus, followed by 0.2-0.4 mg/kg/hour IV CRI.

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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Side effects & warnings

DEA Schedule IV. Useful in hepatic disease (glucuronidation, not oxidation). Status epilepticus treatment. Cats: may cause hepatic necrosis (rare). Sedation, ataxia.

Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Lorazepam for Dogs?

Lorazepam dose range in dogs, with cited source references: IV 0.05–0.2 mg/kg IV bolus, may repeat. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Lorazepam administered in Dogs?

Documented routes for Lorazepam in dogs: IV.

How long is Lorazepam given in Dogs?

Cited course lengths for Lorazepam in dogs include: Emergency. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.

What conditions does Lorazepam treat in Dogs?

Lorazepam is indicated in dogs for: Status epilepticus.

What are the side effects of Lorazepam in Dogs?

These are general warnings for Lorazepam across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. DEA Schedule IV. Useful in hepatic disease (glucuronidation, not oxidation). Status epilepticus treatment. Cats: may cause hepatic necrosis (rare). Sedation, ataxia.

Why a species-specific page? Lorazepam 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.