ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/sulfadiazine
Also known as: Sulphadiazine
Sulfadiazine is dosed at 15–25 mg/kg PO q24h in bearded dragons, per Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.232 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Competitive inhibitor of dihydropteroate synthase in folate synthesis pathway. Bacteriostatic alone; bactericidal when combined with trimethoprim.
Ensure adequate hydration to prevent crystalluria. KCS risk in dogs with prolonged use. Avoid in hepatic insufficiency. Folate supplementation may be needed.
Species references:All Bearded Dragon drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Crested Gecko drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Leopard Gecko drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 5 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 15–25 mg/kg | q12h | Strong | Weese JS, Blondeau J, Boothe D, et al. International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bacterial urinary tract infections in dogs and cats. Vet J. 2019;247:8-25. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.02.008 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1222 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1195-1196 (corpus PDF p.1222-1223), Sulfa-/Trimethoprim monograph, Dosages (DOGS printed p.1195, CATS printed p.1196); that monograph states "Unless otherwise noted, doses are for combined sulfa-/trimethoprim" [LOCATOR CORRECTED 2026-08-12 — the clause previously here named the Pyrimethamine/Sulfadiazine monograph, whose entire Dosages section is horse-only EPM]; 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 |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 15–25 mg/kg |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| q12h |
| Moderate |
| Weese JS, Blondeau J, Boothe D, et al. International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bacterial urinary tract infections in dogs and cats. Vet J. 2019;247:8-25. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.02.008 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1223 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1195-1196 (corpus PDF p.1222-1223), Sulfa-/Trimethoprim monograph, Dosages (DOGS printed p.1195, CATS printed p.1196); that monograph states "Unless otherwise noted, doses are for combined sulfa-/trimethoprim" [LOCATOR CORRECTED 2026-08-12 — the clause previously here named the Pyrimethamine/Sulfadiazine monograph, whose entire Dosages section is horse-only EPM]; 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 |