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

> Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) is a veterinary antifungal. A traditional, inexpensive topical DIP (calcium polysulfide) with combined ANTIFUNGAL and ANTIPARASITIC action — a mainstay adjunct for DERMATOPHYTOSIS (ringworm), where twice-weekly/weekly whole-body dips (with systemic therapy) speed… Indications include 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. This monograph lists 4 reference doses for dogs, cats, cattle and horses, each with route, frequency and source, plus meat and milk withdrawal periods for food animals.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/lime-sulfur · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## 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

*Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dermatophytosis / mange (dip) | Dilute 4 oz concentrate per gallon of water (8 oz for resistant cases); dip, do not rinse; every 5–7 days (1–2× weekly for ringworm) | Topical | every 3–7 days | — |

- 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

*Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dermatophytosis / Notoedres (dip) | Dilute 4 oz concentrate per gallon of water (8 oz for resistant cases); dip or sponge on, do not rinse; every 5–7 days (1–2× weekly for ringworm) | Topical | every 3–7 days | — |

- 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

*Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) doses for cattle*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ringworm / lice (dip/spray) | Dip or spray at the product-label dilution | Topical | per label | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

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

### Horses

*Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) doses for horses*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dermatophytosis / mange (dip/spray) | Sponge or spray at the label dilution (e.g. 4 oz per gallon); allow to dry — do not rinse | Topical | every 5–7 days | — |

- 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.

*Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) doses for buffalo*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ringworm / lice (dip/spray) | Dip or spray at the product-label dilution | Topical | per label | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- 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

> **Caution:** 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

> **Caution:** 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](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/fluconazole)
- [Griseofulvin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/griseofulvin)
- [Itraconazole](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/itraconazole)
- [Ketoconazole](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/ketoconazole)
- [Miconazole](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/miconazole)
- [Nystatin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/nystatin)
- [Posaconazole](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/posaconazole)
- [Terbinafine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/terbinafine)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) for dogs?

Reference doses for Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) in dogs: Dilute 4 oz concentrate per gallon of water (8 oz for resistant cases); dip, do not rinse; every 5–7 days (1–2× weekly for ringworm) Topical every 3–7 days (Dermatophytosis / mange (dip)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) for cats?

Reference doses for Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) in cats: Dilute 4 oz concentrate per gallon of water (8 oz for resistant cases); dip or sponge on, do not rinse; every 5–7 days (1–2× weekly for ringworm) Topical every 3–7 days (Dermatophytosis / Notoedres (dip)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) for cattle?

Reference doses for Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) in cattle: Dip or spray at the product-label dilution Topical per label (Ringworm / lice (dip/spray)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the withdrawal period for Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip)?

Cattle, Topical (Ringworm / lice (dip/spray)): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label. Follow the product label and national regulations where they differ.

### When should Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) not be used?

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.

### What are the side effects of Lime Sulfur (Lime Sulphur Dip) in animals?

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.

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition

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VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.