Anti-inflammatory · Drug monograph

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO): veterinary dose and monograph

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) is a veterinary anti-inflammatory drug. Anti-inflammatory hydroxyl-radical scavenger and osmotic diuretic used IV (as a ≤10% solution) for CNS trauma/oedema, laminitis and rhabdomyolysis, and topically for acute soft-tissue swelling; it carries other drugs through the skin. Indications include CNS trauma / cerebral oedema (IV); laminitis, endotoxaemia, post-operative colic adjunct (horses); acute soft-tissue swelling (topical). This monograph lists 7 reference doses for dogs, cats, cattle and horses, each with route, frequency and source, plus meat and milk withdrawal periods for food animals.

At a glance

Drug class: Anti-inflammatory
Also known as: DMSO, Domoso, Dimethyl sulphoxide
Species with doses: Dogs, Cats, Cattle and Horses
General dose range: 100–1000 mg/kg IV q8–12h — check the species tables for the indication
Routes: IV, Topical
Last reviewed: 1 October 2026

Indications

CNS trauma / cerebral oedema (IV)
Laminitis, endotoxaemia, post-operative colic adjunct (horses)
Acute soft-tissue swelling (topical)
Haemorrhagic cystitis (bladder instillation, dogs)

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

Dogs

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) doses for dogs
Indication	Dose	Route	Frequency	Duration
CNS oedema (IV)	1000 mg/kg	IV	single dose, slowly	—
Topical anti-inflammatory / calcinosis cutis	Apply liberally 3–4 times daily; max 20 g (mL) per day for ≤14 days	Topical	q6–8h	—

CNS oedema (IV): Papich 5e (dogs and cats): 1 g/kg IV slowly; do not give solutions stronger than 10%.
Topical anti-inflammatory / calcinosis cutis: Plumb’s p.413 (label); calcinosis cutis — treat small areas once daily and extend as they improve (Merchant). Haemorrhagic cystitis: 10 mL of 50% DMSO diluted with 10 mL water instilled into the bladder for 20 min (Blackwood).

Cats

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) doses for cats
Indication	Dose	Route	Frequency	Duration
CNS oedema (IV)	1000 mg/kg	IV	single dose, slowly	—

CNS oedema (IV): Papich 5e (dogs and cats): 1 g/kg IV slowly as a ≤10% solution.

Cattle

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) doses for cattle
Indication	Dose	Route	Frequency	Duration	Withdrawal
CNS oedema / inflammation (IV)	1000 mg/kg	IV	q12h	—	Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label

CNS oedema / inflammation (IV): Papich 5e (horses and cattle): 1 g/kg IV slowly, diluted to ≤10%. Not approved in food animals — obtain a FARAD withdrawal.

Horses

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) doses for horses
Indication	Dose	Route	Frequency	Duration
CNS oedema / laminitis / rhabdomyolysis (IV)	100–1000 mg/kg	IV	q8–12h	—
Post-operative colic (adjunct)	25 mg/kg	IV	q12h for 24–48 h	—
Topical anti-inflammatory	Apply liberally 2–3 times daily; max 100 g (mL) per day for ≤30 days	Topical	q8–12h	—

CNS oedema / laminitis / rhabdomyolysis (IV): Papich 5e: 1 g/kg IV slowly, diluted to no more than 10%, usually q12h. Plumb’s p.413: laminitis 0.1–1 g/kg IV two to three times daily (Brumbaugh); rhabdomyolysis 1 g/kg as a 10% solution IV or PO once rehydrated (Hanson). ARCI Class 5. (0.1–1 g/kg = 100–1000 mg/kg.)
Post-operative colic (adjunct): Plumb’s p.413 (Hassel 2005): 25 mg/kg IV intra-operatively, then twice daily for the first 24–48 h.
Topical anti-inflammatory: Plumb’s p.413 (label). Wear gloves.

Buffalo

No buffalo-specific doses are on file, so buffalo are dosed as cattle.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) doses for buffalo
Indication	Dose	Route	Frequency	Duration	Withdrawal
CNS oedema / inflammation (IV)	1000 mg/kg	IV	q12h	—	Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label

CNS oedema / inflammation (IV): Papich 5e (horses and cattle): 1 g/kg IV slowly, diluted to ≤10%. Not approved in food animals — obtain a FARAD withdrawal.

Contraindications

Never give IV above 10% concentration (haemolysis, haemoglobinuria). Dehydration (osmotic diuresis). Wear gloves — skin penetration carries contaminants and other drugs systemically. Food animals: no approved use; obtain a FARAD withdrawal.

Adverse effects

Garlic/oyster breath odour
Haemolysis and haemoglobinuria at >10% IV
Local skin irritation (topical)

Formulations and products

Medical-grade liquid 90% (dilute to ≤10% for IV)
Topical gel 90%

Before you use this dose

Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) for dogs?

Reference doses for Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) in dogs: 1000 mg/kg IV single dose, slowly (CNS oedema (IV)); Apply liberally 3–4 times daily; max 20 g (mL) per day for ≤14 days Topical q6–8h (Topical anti-inflammatory / calcinosis cutis). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

What is the dose of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) for cats?

Reference doses for Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) in cats: 1000 mg/kg IV single dose, slowly (CNS oedema (IV)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

What is the dose of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) for cattle?

Reference doses for Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) in cattle: 1000 mg/kg IV q12h (CNS oedema / inflammation (IV)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

What is the withdrawal period for Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)?

Cattle, IV (CNS oedema / inflammation (IV)): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label. Follow the product label and national regulations where they differ.

When should Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) not be used?

What are the side effects of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) in animals?

Garlic/oyster breath odour; Haemolysis and haemoglobinuria at >10% IV; Local skin irritation (topical).

Sources

Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
Papich 5e — Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)
Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

Last reviewed 1 October 2026 · VetMasterJi