Canine Health Protocols

Canine Dosage Guidelines

Complete reference for dog medication safety, physiological considerations, and breed-specific sensitivities.

🐕 Physiological Considerations

Dogs vary wildly in size, from a 2lb Chihuahua to a 200lb Mastiff, making weight-based dosing (mg/kg) absolutely critical. Unlike humans, dogs have specific metabolic pathways that make them highly sensitive to certain compounds.

Metabolic Differences

Faster NSAID Metabolism: Dogs metabolize NSAIDs differently than humans, predisposed to GI ulceration and renal toxicity if dosed incorrectly.
Acetaminophen Sensitivity: While not as instantly fatal as in cats, Tylenol can still cause liver failure and methemoglobinemia in dogs.
pH Balance: Canine stomach pH is more acidic, affecting absorption rates of extended-release human formulations.

⚠️ The MDR1 Gene Mutation

Certain herding breeds have a mutation in the MDR1 (Multi-Drug Resistance 1) gene, which affects the blood-brain barrier. This allows certain drugs to accumulate in the brain to toxic levels.

High-Risk Breeds

• Collies & Border Collies
• Australian Shepherds
• Shetland Sheepdogs
• German Shepherds

Problem Drugs

• Ivermectin (Heartworm prevention)
• Loperamide (Imodium)
• Acepromazine
• Butorphanol

Always test herding breeds for MDR1 before administering these drugs.

💊 Common Medication Protocols

NSAIDs (Pain & Inflammation)

Carprofen (Rimadyl), Meloxicam (Metacam), Deracoxib. Used for arthritis and post-op pain.

NEVER give human Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) or Naproxen (Aleve) to dogs. They can cause severe stomach ulcers and kidney failure even in small doses.

Antibiotics

Amoxicillin, Clavamox, Cephalexin. Dosing is strictly weight-dependent and usually higher per kg than human doses.

Standard Rule: Complete the full course to prevent resistance.

Antihistamines

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Often used for allergies and travel anxiety. See Calculator.

Warning: Ensure OTC products do not contain additional ingredients like decongestants (Pseudoephedrine) or Xylitol.

☠️ Critical Toxicity Warnings

Xylitol

Found in sugar-free gum and peanut butter. Causes rapid insulin release (hypoglycemia) and liver necrosis.

Grapes & Raisins

Can cause acute kidney failure. The toxic dose is unknown and idiosyncratic (varies per dog).

Chocolate

Contains Theobromine. Darker chocolate = higher toxicity. Causes heart arrhythmias and seizures.