Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Zonisamide is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q12h in dogs, per Podell M, Volk HA, Berendt M, et al. 2015 ACVIM small animal consensus statement on seizure management in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30(2):477-490. | Chung JY, Hwang CY, Chae JS et al. (2012) Zonisamide monotherapy for idiopathic epilepsy in dogs. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 60, 357-359 doi:10.1111/jvim.13841 — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.456 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.456' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.440; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.440. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705. Zonisamide is used in dogs for Epilepsy (adjunctive). Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Zonisamide in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Zonegran
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | Long-term | Epilepsy (adjunctive) | Moderate | Podell M, Volk HA, Berendt M, et al. 2015 ACVIM small animal consensus statement on seizure management in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30(2):477-490. | Chung JY, Hwang CY, Chae JS et al. (2012) Zonisamide monotherapy for idiopathic epilepsy in dogs. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 60, 357-359 doi:10.1111/jvim.13841 — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.456 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.456' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.440; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.440. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–10 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.456 | Starting dose of 5-10 mg/kg p.o. q12h |
| 5 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.891 | • Start with 5 mg/kg q12h PO and increase gradually as needed to control seizures. |
| 10 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.891 | • 10 mg/kg q12h PO when added to phenobarbital treatment. |
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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Multiple mechanisms: blocks voltage-gated sodium and T-type calcium channels, enhances GABA release, and has mild carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity.
Second-line anticonvulsant or add-on therapy. Sedation, ataxia, GI upset. Decreased appetite in some dogs. Renal tubular acidosis reported (rare). Monitor serum levels. Dogs and cats.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Zonisamide dose range in dogs, with cited source references: PO 5–10 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Zonisamide in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Zonisamide in dogs include: Long-term. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Zonisamide is indicated in dogs for: Epilepsy (adjunctive).
These are general warnings for Zonisamide across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Second-line anticonvulsant or add-on therapy. Sedation, ataxia, GI upset. Decreased appetite in some dogs. Renal tubular acidosis reported (rare). Monitor serum levels. Dogs and cats.
Why a species-specific page? Zonisamide 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.