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).. 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
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.05–0.2 mg/kg | IV bolus, may repeat | Emergency | Status epilepticus | Moderate | 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). |
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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.
Intermediate-acting benzodiazepine enhancing GABA-A receptor function. Glucuronide conjugation (no active metabolites).
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.
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.
Documented routes for Lorazepam in dogs: IV.
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.
Lorazepam is indicated in dogs for: Status epilepticus.
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.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.