Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Penicillamine is dosed at 10–15 mg/kg PO q12h in dogs, per Webster CRL, Center SA, Cullen JM, et al. ACVIM consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(3):1173-1200. doi:10.1111/jvim.15467 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1018 (2026-08-01).. Penicillamine is used in dogs for Copper-associated hepatopathy, lead poisoning, Copper storage hepatopathy. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Penicillamine in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Cuprimine, Depen, D-Penicillamine
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 10–15 mg/kg | q12h | Long-term for copper hepatopathy; 1-2 weeks for lead | Copper-associated hepatopathy, lead poisoning | Moderate | Webster CRL, Center SA, Cullen JM, et al. ACVIM consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(3):1173-1200. doi:10.1111/jvim.15467 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1018 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 10–15 mg/kg | q12h | Long-term (months); monitor hepatic copper | Copper storage hepatopathy | Strong | Webster CRL, Center SA, Cullen JM, et al. ACVIM consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(3):1173-1200. doi:10.1111/jvim.15467 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1018 (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.
Chelates copper, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals, forming soluble complexes excreted by the kidneys. Also has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.
Give on empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). GI upset common — start low and increase gradually. Monitor CBC and urinalysis (proteinuria). Primary use: copper-associated hepatopathy (Bedlington Terriers, others).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Penicillamine dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: PO 10–15 mg/kg q12h; PO 10–15 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Penicillamine in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Penicillamine in dogs include: Long-term for copper hepatopathy; 1-2 weeks for lead; Long-term (months); monitor hepatic copper. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Penicillamine is indicated in dogs for: Copper-associated hepatopathy, lead poisoning, Copper storage hepatopathy.
These are general warnings for Penicillamine across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Give on empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). GI upset common — start low and increase gradually. Monitor CBC and urinalysis (proteinuria). Primary use: copper-associated hepatopathy (Bedlington Terriers, others).
Why a species-specific page? Penicillamine 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.