This chart does not replace a formulary. But when you need to look up amox-clav dosing for a 5 kg Poodle at 11 PM, a 1-page wall chart is faster than flipping through 800 pages of Plumb’s.
These 23 drugs were selected from WSAVA Essential Medicines, cross-checked against BSAVA 11th + Plumb’s 7e + Merck Vet Manual, and verified for availability in Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
Always verify with an official formulary before prescribing. Doses may vary by clinic protocol and individual patient status.
How to read this chart
- Doses in mg/kg unless stated otherwise
- ⚠️ = important warning
- ⛔ = BANNED in cats
- q8h = every 8 hours; q12h = every 12 hours; q24h = every 24 hours
1. Antibiotics
| Drug (Brand) | Species | Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Frequency | Duration | Warning |
|---|
| Amox-clav (Synulox) | Dog | 12.5–25 | PO | q8–12h | 5–7d | Beta-lactam allergy |
| Cat | 12.5–25 | PO | q12h | 5–7d | |
| Cephalexin | Dog | 20–30 | PO | q8–12h | Pyoderma 21–42d | Beta-lactam allergy |
| Cat | 22 q8h | PO | q8–12h | Case-dependent | |
| Doxycycline | Dog | 5–10 | PO | q12–24h | 7–14d; tick-borne 28–42d | Chelation Ca/Mg/Al |
| Cat | 5–10 | PO | q24h | 14–28d | ⚠️ NEVER dry-pill cats |
| Metronidazole (Flagyl) | Dog | 10–15 | PO/IV | q12h | 5–7d | ⚠️ Neurotoxicity at high dose |
| Cat | 7.5–15 | PO/IV | q12h | 5–7d | Bitter taste |
| Enrofloxacin (Baytril) | Dog | 5 | PO | q24h | 7–14d | ⚠️ Avoid growing dogs |
| Cat | MAX 5 | PO | q24h | Case-dependent | ⚠️ Retinal blindness if exceeded |
2. Analgesics / NSAIDs
| Drug (Brand) | Species | Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Frequency | Warning |
|---|
| Carprofen (Rimadyl) | Dog | 2.2 q12h or 4.4 q24h | PO/SC/IV | q12–24h | ⚠️ Monitor liver; NO steroids |
| Cat | 4 single dose SC | SC/IV | ONCE | ⚠️ No repeat use |
| Meloxicam (Metacam) | Dog | 0.2 loading → 0.1 | PO/SC | q24h | Renal/GI risk |
| Cat | 0.3 SC single; 0.05 PO | SC/PO | Single/taper | ⚠️ Label varies by country |
| Robenacoxib (Onsior) | Dog | 1 PO; 2 SC ≤3d | PO/SC | q24h | |
| Cat | 1 PO; 2 SC ≤3d | PO/SC | q24h | One of few cat-labelled NSAIDs |
| Gabapentin | Dog | 10–15 | PO | q8h | ⚠️ Avoid liquid with xylitol |
| Cat | 5–10 | PO | q8–12h | Sedation; taper if chronic |
| Buprenorphine | Dog | 0.005–0.03 | IV/IM/SC | q4–12h | ⚠️ Controlled drug |
| Cat | 0.01–0.03 | IV/IM/SC/TM | q4–8h | Good transmucosal absorption |
3. Sedation / Anesthesia
| Drug (Brand) | Species | Dose | Route | Warning |
|---|
| Acepromazine | Dog | 0.01–0.05 mg/kg | IV/IM/SC | ⚠️ Boxer: use 0.005–0.01; hypotension |
| Cat | 0.01–0.05 | IV/IM/SC | Hypothermia |
| Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) | Dog | 2–10 µg/kg | IV/IM/SC | ⚠️ Bradycardia; reverse = atipamezole |
| Cat | 5–40 µg/kg | IM/SC/IV | Causes vomiting frequently |
| Ketamine | Dog | 2–5 IV (combo) | IV/IM | ⚠️ Controlled; never use alone |
| Cat | 5–7.5 IM (combo) | IV/IM | Rigidity if solo |
| Propofol | Dog | 2–5 IV (premedicated) | IV | Apnea if rapid bolus |
| Cat | 5.5–11 IV (premedicated) | IV | ⚠️ Daily repeated use → Heinz body |
4. GI Drugs
| Drug (Brand) | Species | Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Frequency | Warning |
|---|
| Maropitant (Cerenia) | Dog/Cat | 1 SC/IV; 2 PO | SC/IV/PO | q24h | Don’t mask obstruction |
| Metoclopramide | Dog/Cat | 0.2–0.5 | PO/SC/IM/IV | q6–8h | ⚠️ CI if GI obstruction suspected |
| Omeprazole | Dog | 0.5–1.5 | PO | q12–24h | ⚠️ Max 8 weeks |
| Cat | 0.7–1 | PO | q24h | |
5. Cardiac
| Drug (Brand) | Species | Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Frequency | Warning |
|---|
| Furosemide (Lasix) | Dog | Acute 2–4 IV; chronic 1–6 PO | PO/IV/IM | q1–12h | ⚠️ Monitor renal + electrolytes |
| Cat | Acute 0.5–2 IV; chronic 1–2 PO | PO/IV/IM | q1–24h | Max 6 mg/kg/day |
| Pimobendan (Vetmedin) | Dog | 0.2–0.3 | PO | q12h | ⚠️ Avoid outflow obstruction |
| Cat | 0.1–0.3 | PO | q12h | ⚠️ Off-label; caution obstructive HCM |
6. Anti-inflammatory + Emergency
| Drug | Species | Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Frequency | Warning |
|---|
| Prednisolone | Dog | 0.5–1 (anti-inflam); 2 (immunosup) | PO | q24h → taper | ⚠️ NO NSAIDs; monitor glucose/liver |
| Cat | 1–2 (anti-inflam); 4.4 (immunosup) | PO | q24h → taper | Use prednisolone, NOT prednisone |
| Atropine | Dog/Cat | 0.01–0.04 | IV/IM | PRN | Bradyarrhythmia; avoid glaucoma |
| Epinephrine | Dog/Cat | 0.01–0.02 | IV/IO | Emergency | Note 1:1,000 vs 1:10,000 |
⛔ Drugs BANNED in cats
| Drug | Reason |
|---|
| ⛔ Paracetamol / Acetaminophen | Methemoglobinemia + hepatic necrosis — FATAL |
| ⛔ Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac | Extreme GI/renal toxicity |
❌ 6 combinations to NEVER give together
| Combination | Consequence |
|---|
| NSAID + NSAID | GI ulceration, renal failure |
| NSAID + Steroid | GI hemorrhage |
| Furosemide + Aminoglycoside | Nephro/ototoxicity |
| Doxycycline + antacid (Ca/Mg/Al) | Reduced absorption — space 2h apart |
| Metoclopramide + suspected GI obstruction | Perforation risk |
| Ketamine alone | Rigidity, excitation |
Notes for Southeast Asian clinics
Most drugs on this chart are available in TH/MY/VN — but many come through human generic channels rather than vet-branded products:
| Easy to find (generic) | Imported premium | Controlled |
|---|
| Cephalexin, Doxycycline, Metronidazole, Omeprazole, Furosemide, Prednisolone, Gabapentin | Synulox, Cerenia, Vetmedin, Onsior, Metacam, Dexdomitor | Buprenorphine, Ketamine, Propofol |
VetGo VPMS includes a built-in drug database — auto-checks doses by weight, flags drug interactions, and records dispensing in the medical record. Try free for 30 days.
Sources: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 11th Ed, Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook 7th Ed, Merck Veterinary Manual, WSAVA Essential Medicines 2023. This chart is for reference only — always verify with an official formulary and consider individual patient status before prescribing. Some drugs are controlled substances — comply with local regulations.
