Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Midazolam is dosed at 0.2–0.5 mg/kg IM once in dogs, per Plumb's 10th ed printed p.880, Midazolam monograph spanning p.880-884. Midazolam is used in dogs for Pre-anesthetic sedation, Seizure control (at-home emergency), 'Sedation / anaesthetic premedication (extra-label)' - the indication the cited pages actually print, Status epilepticus. Routes documented in dogs: IM, INTRANASAL, IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 5 cited dose rules for Midazolam in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Versed
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | once | Single pre-anesthetic dose | Pre-anesthetic sedation | Strong | Plumb's 10th ed printed p.880, Midazolam monograph spanning p.880-884.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| INTRANASAL |
| 0.2–0.5 mg/kg |
| once |
| Emergency use |
| Seizure control (at-home emergency) |
| Moderate |
| Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.880, Midazolam monograph spanning p.880-884.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| IV | 0.1–0.25 mg/kg | PRN | During noise events | 'Sedation / anaesthetic premedication (extra-label)' - the indication the cited pages actually print | Weak | Plumb's 10th ed printed p.880, Midazolam monograph spanning p.880-884.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| IV | 0.07–0.5 mg/kg | may repeat up to 2x if no response | Until seizures controlled | Status epilepticus | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Midazolam, DOGS, Status epilepticus (extra-label), printed p.882Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| IV | 0.1–0.3 mg/kg | once | Single dose pre-anesthetic; repeat for seizures | Pre-anesthetic sedation, seizure control | Strong | Plumb's 10th ed printed p.880, Midazolam monograph spanning p.880-884.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2–0.3 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.282 | seizures including status epilepticus: bolus dose of 0.2-0.3 mg/kg i.v. or intrarectally if venous access is not available. Time to onset of clinical |
| 0.1–0.25 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.558 | • 0.1-0.25 mg/kg IV or IM. |
| 0.1–0.3 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.558 | • 0.1-0.3 mg/kg/hr IV infusion. |
| 0.1–0.2 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.558 | • Status epilepticus: 0.1-0.2 mg/kg IV bolus. |
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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Enhances GABA-A receptor activity, increasing chloride conductance. Provides anxiolysis, sedation, muscle relaxation, and anticonvulsant effects.
May cause paradoxical excitement in healthy dogs when used alone. Water-soluble (less painful IM than diazepam). Respiratory depression at high doses. Flumazenil is the reversal agent.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Midazolam dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: IM 0.2–0.5 mg/kg once; INTRANASAL 0.2–0.5 mg/kg once; IV 0.1–0.25 mg/kg PRN; IV 0.07–0.5 mg/kg may repeat up to 2x if no response. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Midazolam in dogs: IM, INTRANASAL, IV.
Cited course lengths for Midazolam in dogs include: Single pre-anesthetic dose; Emergency use; During noise events; Until seizures controlled. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Midazolam is indicated in dogs for: Pre-anesthetic sedation, Seizure control (at-home emergency), 'Sedation / anaesthetic premedication (extra-label)' - the indication the cited pages actually print, Status epilepticus, Pre-anesthetic sedation, seizure control.
These are general warnings for Midazolam across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. May cause paradoxical excitement in healthy dogs when used alone. Water-soluble (less painful IM than diazepam). Respiratory depression at high doses. Flumazenil is the reversal agent.
Why a species-specific page? Midazolam 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.