Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Theophylline is dosed at 10 mg/kg PO q12h (ER formulation) in dogs, per Cavett CL, Li Z, McKiernan BC, Reinhart JM. Pharmacokinetics of a modified, compounded theophylline product in dogs. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2019;42(6):593-601. doi:10.1111/jvp.12813 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1249 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1222, Theophylline monograph spanning p.1220-1222; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Theophylline is used in dogs for Bronchodilation (chronic bronchitis, tracheal collapse). Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Theophylline in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Theo-Dur, Theo-24
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 10 mg/kg | q12h (ER formulation) | Long-term | Bronchodilation (chronic bronchitis, tracheal collapse) | Moderate | Cavett CL, Li Z, McKiernan BC, Reinhart JM. Pharmacokinetics of a modified, compounded theophylline product in dogs. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2019;42(6):593-601. doi:10.1111/jvp.12813 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1249 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1222, Theophylline monograph spanning p.1220-1222; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
The sources disagree for this combination. The ranges below do not overlap on a comparable route. This is not an error in one of them — published veterinary references differ, and reconciling them for a particular patient is a clinical judgement.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.415 | 20 mg/kg p.o. q24h or 10 mg/kg p.o. q12h which may be increased to 15 mg/kg p.o. q12h if no side e |
| 10 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.415 | 20 mg/kg p.o. q24h or 10 mg/kg p.o. q12h which may be increased to 15 mg/kg p.o. q12h if no side effects on lower dose ( |
| 15 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.415 | g p.o. q24h or 10 mg/kg p.o. q12h which may be increased to 15 mg/kg p.o. q12h if no side effects on lower dose (NB: manufacturer only recommends q24h dosing) |
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Inhibits phosphodiesterase, increasing cAMP. Also antagonizes adenosine receptors. Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and improves diaphragmatic contractility.
Narrow therapeutic index. Serum monitoring recommended (10-20 mcg/ml). Tachycardia, GI upset, CNS stimulation, seizures in overdose. Many drug interactions (fluoroquinolones, cimetidine increase levels).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Theophylline dose range in dogs, with cited source references: PO 10 mg/kg q12h (ER formulation). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Theophylline in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Theophylline in dogs include: Long-term. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Theophylline is indicated in dogs for: Bronchodilation (chronic bronchitis, tracheal collapse).
These are general warnings for Theophylline across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Narrow therapeutic index. Serum monitoring recommended (10-20 mcg/ml). Tachycardia, GI upset, CNS stimulation, seizures in overdose. Many drug interactions (fluoroquinolones, cimetidine increase levels).
Why a species-specific page? Theophylline 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.
| 9 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.800 | • Theophylline: 9 mg/kg q6-8h PO (immediate-release formulations) |
| 10 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.800 | • Theophylline sustained release: 10 mg/kg q12h PO. |
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.