Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Rifaximin is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q8-12h in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1121, Rifaximin monograph; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Rifaximin is used in dogs for Hepatic encephalopathy / GI bacterial overgrowth. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Rifaximin in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Xifaxan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q8-12h | As needed for HE; 7-14 days for other | Hepatic encephalopathy / GI bacterial overgrowth | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1121, Rifaximin monograph; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
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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.
Binds bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibiting RNA synthesis. Minimal systemic absorption — acts locally in the gut.
Use for GI infections only. Not effective for systemic infections. C. difficile superinfection possible. Limited veterinary data.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Rifaximin dose range in dogs, with cited source references: PO 5–10 mg/kg q8-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Rifaximin in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Rifaximin in dogs include: As needed for HE; 7-14 days for other. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Rifaximin is indicated in dogs for: Hepatic encephalopathy / GI bacterial overgrowth.
These are general warnings for Rifaximin across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Use for GI infections only. Not effective for systemic infections. C. difficile superinfection possible. Limited veterinary data.
Why a species-specific page? Rifaximin 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.