Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Somatotropin (Growth Hormone) is dosed at 0.1 IU/kg SC 3 times weekly for 4 to 6 weeks in dogs, per Reusch CE. Chapter 2: Disorders of Growth Hormone. In: Feldman EC, Nelson RW, Reusch CE, Scott-Moncrief JCR, eds. Canine and Feline Endocrinology. Elsevier Saunders; 2015:37-76.; Koch S, Torres S, Plumb D. Small Animal Dermatology Drug Handbook. Wiley-Blackwell; 2012. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1194 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1166, Somatotropin 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; Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology — ISBN 9781416000280, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781416000280. Somatotropin (Growth Hormone) is used in dogs for Growth hormone-responsive dermatosis. Routes documented in dogs: SC. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Somatotropin (Growth Hormone) in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Genotropin, Humatrope
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 0.1 IU/kgmax 5 mg total | 3 times weekly for 4 to 6 weeks | 6 weeks initially; repeat if response noted | Growth hormone-responsive dermatosis | Weak | Reusch CE. Chapter 2: Disorders of Growth Hormone. In: Feldman EC, Nelson RW, Reusch CE, Scott-Moncrief JCR, eds. Canine and Feline Endocrinology. Elsevier Saunders; 2015:37-76.; Koch S, Torres S, Plumb D. Small Animal Dermatology Drug Handbook. Wiley-Blackwell; 2012. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1194 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1166, Somatotropin 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; Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology — ISBN 9781416000280, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781416000280 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (iu/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3–0.7 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.399 | 0.3-0.7 IU/kg weekly divided into 3-5 doses s.c., i.m. (painful). Continue for at least 6 weeks to eval |
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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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.
Recombinant growth hormone stimulates IGF-1 production, promoting growth, protein synthesis, and lipolysis. Species-specific forms preferred.
Diabetes mellitus may develop. Monitor blood glucose closely. Very expensive. Species cross-reactivity varies. Antibody formation possible.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Somatotropin (Growth Hormone) dose range in dogs, with cited source references: SC 0.1 IU/kg 3 times weekly for 4 to 6 weeks. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Somatotropin (Growth Hormone) in dogs: SC.
Cited course lengths for Somatotropin (Growth Hormone) in dogs include: 6 weeks initially; repeat if response noted. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Somatotropin (Growth Hormone) is indicated in dogs for: Growth hormone-responsive dermatosis.
These are general warnings for Somatotropin (Growth Hormone) across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Diabetes mellitus may develop. Monitor blood glucose closely. Very expensive. Species cross-reactivity varies. Antibody formation possible.
Why a species-specific page? Somatotropin (Growth Hormone) 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.