Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip): veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Antifungal

Also known as

Calcium polysulfide, Lime sulphur, LymDyp

Species with doses

Dogs, Cats, Cattle and Horses

Routes

Topical

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Dermatophytosis (ringworm) — adjunct whole-body dips with systemic antifungals + environmental control
• Sarcoptic/notoedric mange, Cheyletiella, Demodex, lice (miticidal/parasiticidal dips)
• Skin conditions in very young/pregnant/nursing animals where systemic drugs are undesirable

Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) 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 / mange (dip): Plumb’s topical monograph (label): bathe first, then apply as a rinse, spray or dip and allow to dry. Adjunct to systemic therapy for generalised disease.

Cats

• Dermatophytosis / Notoedres (dip): Plumb’s topical monograph (LymDyp and similar labels): 4 oz per gallon (about 1:32) as a rinse or dip every 5–7 days, 8 oz per gallon for chronic or resistant cases; allow to dry on the animal; dermatophytosis once to twice weekly. Use an E-collar until dry; stains and smells. Combine with systemic antifungal and environmental cleaning.

Cattle

• Ringworm / lice (dip/spray): Plumb’s dose information covers small-animal labels only; follow the local livestock product label.

Horses

• Dermatophytosis / mange (dip/spray): Plumb’s dose information covers small-animal labels only. Malodorous; may stain white coats; avoid eyes.

Buffalo

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

• Ringworm / lice (dip/spray): Plumb’s dose information covers small-animal labels only; follow the local livestock product label.

Contraindications

Ingestion / grooming while wet (oral ulceration, GI upset) — use an Elizabethan collar until dry. Known hypersensitivity. Application near the eyes (irritant). Otherwise minimal — its safety is the selling point.

Species-specific warnings

Cats: Prevent the cat grooming/licking the coat while wet (oral ulceration/GI upset) — use an Elizabethan collar until fully dry; otherwise it is one of the safest ringworm treatments for kittens/queens.

Adverse effects

• Strong sulphur odour; yellow staining of coat/light surfaces
• Skin drying/irritation with frequent use
• Oral ulceration/GI upset if licked/ingested while wet
• Tarnishes silver/metal

Drug interactions

• No systemic drug interactions (topical use)
• Combined with systemic antifungals (itraconazole/terbinafine) and environmental decontamination for ringworm

Pregnancy and lactation

Considered safe in pregnancy/lactation (negligible systemic absorption) — a key reason it is chosen for pregnant/nursing and neonatal animals.

Monitoring

• Dermatophyte cultures / mite counts and clinical response (treat ringworm to negative cultures)
• Skin tolerance (drying); prevent ingestion (E-collar until dry)
• Environmental decontamination alongside dipping

Toxicity and overdose

Very safe topically — the "adverse effects" are practical (smell, staining, skin drying) rather than toxic. Ingestion while wet can cause oral ulceration and GI upset. No meaningful systemic toxicity.

Management: Rinse the mouth/skin if ingested; supportive care for oral/GI irritation. Otherwise no specific management needed (topical, low toxicity).

Clinical pearls

• The SAFE adjunct dip for ringworm and mange — usable on tiny kittens and pregnant/nursing animals where systemic drugs are risky; combine with systemic antifungals + environmental cleaning for cure
• Apply as a rinse and let it AIR-DRY (don't rinse off) — and use an E-collar until dry to prevent oral ulceration from grooming
• Warn owners about the rotten-egg SMELL and yellow STAINING (coat, surfaces, jewellery) — cosmetic, not dangerous
• Twice-weekly dips are commonly used to reduce infectious spore load and environmental contamination in dermatophytosis

Mechanism of action

Calcium polysulfide releases reactive sulphur species and hydrogen sulphide on the skin surface, which are directly toxic to dermatophyte fungi (keratolytic/fungicidal) and to mites/lice and their eggs, while also having mild antibacterial, antipruritic and keratolytic (scale-loosening) effects. Its action is entirely topical/surface, which is why it is so safe systemically.

Formulations and products

• Concentrate diluted to ~1:16 (≈2–3 %) for dipping/rinsing
• Lime sulfur dip (LymDyp/generic) (Various) — Calcium polysulfide concentrate, Dip/rinse concentrate

Storage

Concentrate: 15–30 °C, keep tightly closed (odour), protect from freezing; dilute fresh for each dip.

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

• Fluconazole
• Griseofulvin
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Miconazole
• Nystatin
• Posaconazole
• Terbinafine

Frequently asked questions