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).. 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). |
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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.
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.