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).. 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). |
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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.
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.