Metronidazole for Dog
Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Metronidazole is used in dog for Severe anaerobic infections, peritonitis, Diarrhea (acute, non-specific), Dental/periodontal infections (anaerobic component), Anaerobic infections, Giardia, IBD. Routes documented in dog: IV, PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 7 cited dose rules for Metronidazole in dog, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Flagyl
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 10–15 mg/kg | q12h | Until oral feasible | Severe anaerobic infections, peritonitis | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 10–15 mg/kg | q12h | 5-7 days | Diarrhea (acute, non-specific) | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 10–15 mg/kg | q12h | 7-10 days | Dental/periodontal infections (anaerobic component) | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 10–15 mg/kg | q12h | 5-7 days for Giardia; 14-28 days for IBD | Anaerobic infections, Giardia, IBD | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 15–25 mg/kg | q12h | 10-14 days | Clostridial infections, C. difficile colitis | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 7.5–10 mg/kg | q12h | Chronic as needed | Hepatic encephalopathy adjunct | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 10–15 mg/kg | q12h | 7-14 days | Colitis (large bowel diarrhea) | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
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.
Mechanism of action
Disrupts DNA structure in anaerobic organisms via reduction of nitro group, forming cytotoxic intermediates.
Side effects & warnings
Neurotoxicity at high doses or prolonged use (ataxia, seizures). Avoid in pregnant animals. Hepatotoxic at high doses.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dog may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Other Antibiotic drugs with dog dosing
Metronidazole dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Metronidazole pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dog — 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.