Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Melarsomine is dosed at 2.5 mg/kg IM Per AHS protocol in dogs, per Nelson C, McCall JW, Jones S, Moorhead AR. American Heartworm Society Current Canine Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) Infection in Dogs. https://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/american-heartworm-society-guidelines. Accessed Mar 16, 2022.; IMMITICIDE - Melarsomine Dihydrochloride and Water [US Product Label for Dogs]. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.; 2018. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.849 (2026-08-01).. Melarsomine is used in dogs for Adult heartworm disease (D. immitis). Routes documented in dogs: IM. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Melarsomine in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Immiticide, Diroban
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 2.5 mg/kg | Per AHS protocol | 2-dose or 3-dose protocol | Adult heartworm disease (D. immitis) |
| Nelson C, McCall JW, Jones S, Moorhead AR. American Heartworm Society Current Canine Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) Infection in Dogs. https://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/american-heartworm-society-guidelines. Accessed Mar 16, 2022.; IMMITICIDE - Melarsomine Dihydrochloride and Water [US Product Label for Dogs]. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.; 2018. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.849 (2026-08-01). |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Trivalent arsenic compound that kills adult Dirofilaria immitis (heartworms). Mechanism involves disruption of parasite metabolism.
DOGS ONLY. Deep lumbar (epaxial) IM injection. Strict exercise restriction essential post-treatment. Pulmonary thromboembolism risk from dying worms. Pain at injection site.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Melarsomine dose range in dogs, with cited source references: IM 2.5 mg/kg Per AHS protocol. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Melarsomine in dogs: IM.
Cited course lengths for Melarsomine in dogs include: 2-dose or 3-dose protocol. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Melarsomine is indicated in dogs for: Adult heartworm disease (D. immitis).
These are general warnings for Melarsomine across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. DOGS ONLY. Deep lumbar (epaxial) IM injection. Strict exercise restriction essential post-treatment. Pulmonary thromboembolism risk from dying worms. Pain at injection site.
Why a species-specific page? Melarsomine 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.