Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Midazolam is used in dog for Pre-anesthetic sedation, Seizure control (at-home emergency), Pre-anesthetic sedation, seizure control, Status epilepticus. Routes documented in dog: IM, INTRANASAL, IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 5 cited dose rules for Midazolam in dog, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
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 Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| INTRANASAL | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | once | Emergency use | Seizure control (at-home emergency) | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| IV | 0.1–0.3 mg/kg | once | Single dose pre-anesthetic; repeat for seizures | Pre-anesthetic sedation, seizure control | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| IV | 0.1–0.5 mg/kg | q5min | Until seizures controlled | Status epilepticus | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| IV | 0.1–0.25 mg/kg | PRN | During noise events | Noise phobia (acute management) | Weak | 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.
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 dog may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
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 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.