Enilconazole: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Antifungal

Also known as

Imaverol, Clinafarm, Imazalil

Species with doses

Dogs, Cats and Horses

Routes

Topical

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Dermatophytosis (ringworm) — topical wash/rinse (dogs, cats, horses, cattle)
• Canine sino-nasal aspergillosis — topical sinus instillation (clotrimazole is an alternative)
• Environmental/hatchery fungal control (Clinafarm fumigant)
• Localised cutaneous fungal infection

Enilconazole 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

• Dermatophytosis (topical wash): Papich 5e and product label: allow to air-dry. Wear gloves and eye protection.
• Sino-nasal aspergillosis (sinus instillation): Papich 5e: 10 mg/kg q12h instilled into the nasal sinus for 14 days (10% solution diluted 50:50 with water) via surgically placed tubes. Specialist procedure.

Cats

• Dermatophytosis (topical wash): Papich 5e (small animals): 0.2% wash four times at 3–4-day intervals. Prevent grooming of the wet coat.

Horses

• Dermatophytosis (topical wash): Papich 5e: horses 0.2% wash four times at 3–4-day intervals; Aspergillus rhinitis — 2% solution 25–100 mL via nasal catheter q12h.

Birds

• No reference dose for this species: Neither Papich 5e nor Plumb’s 10e (p.1435 Enilconazole, Topical covers dogs, horses and cattle washes only) gives an enilconazole dose or nebulisation protocol for birds.

Contraindications

Known imidazole hypersensitivity. Avoid ingestion (apply topically; prevent grooming of large wet areas in cats — hypersalivation/GI upset). Use diluted per label (the concentrate is for dilution). Nasal instillation requires appropriate technique (often under anaesthesia with catheters).

Species-specific warnings

Cats: Prevent grooming of the freshly treated, wet coat (ingestion causes hypersalivation/GI upset); always use the diluted solution.

Adverse effects

• Local irritation
• Hypersalivation / mild GI upset if a treated cat grooms the wet coat
• Transient irritation with nasal instillation

Drug interactions

• No significant systemic drug interactions (topical use)
• Often part of a regimen with systemic antifungals (e.g. for generalised dermatophytosis or aspergillosis)

Pregnancy and lactation

Topical use is low-risk; follow label. Avoid unnecessary exposure.

Monitoring

• Dermatophyte cultures and clinical response (treat to negative cultures)
• Local skin tolerance
• For nasal aspergillosis: endoscopic/CT follow-up of the sinuses
• Environmental decontamination alongside topical therapy

Toxicity and overdose

Topical use is well tolerated — local irritation and (if a cat grooms a freshly washed coat) hypersalivation/GI upset are the main effects. The concentrate must be diluted before use. Low systemic toxicity.

Management: Rinse/discontinue for irritation; supportive care for GI upset from grooming. No specific antidote needed.

Clinical pearls

• The classic DILUTED whole-body wash for ringworm (dilute the 10 % concentrate to 0.2 % ≈1:50) — apply every 3–4 days and treat the whole animal plus the environment, not just the lesions
• A topical instillation treatment for canine sino-nasal aspergillosis (with clotrimazole as the alternative) — a specialist, anaesthetised procedure
• Prevent cats from grooming the wet coat after washing (hypersalivation/GI upset)
• Volatile and fungicidal — also used as a hatchery/environmental fumigant (Clinafarm)

Mechanism of action

An imidazole that inhibits fungal cytochrome-P450 14-α-demethylase, blocking ergosterol synthesis and disrupting the fungal cell membrane — fungicidal against dermatophytes and Aspergillus at the surface concentrations achieved topically. It is volatile (hence its use as a fumigant) and acts where applied; systemic absorption from topical use is low.

Formulations and products

• Emulsifiable concentrate 10 % (Imaverol — dilute to 0.2 % for use)
• Solution for nasal instillation (sino-nasal aspergillosis)
• Imaverol (Elanco (Janssen)) — 10 % emulsifiable concentrate (dilute to 0.2 %), Topical concentrate
• Clinafarm (Elanco) — Enilconazole fumigant/spray, Environmental fumigant

Storage

Concentrate: 15–30 °C, protect from light; dilute fresh for each use and discard leftover diluted solution.

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.

Other antifungals

• Amphotericin B
• Caspofungin
• Clotrimazole
• Fluconazole
• Griseofulvin
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip)

Frequently asked questions