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Veterinary drug · Drug monograph

Succimer (DMSA): veterinary dose and monograph

Succimer (DMSA) is a veterinary drug. Oral heavy-metal chelator — the preferred treatment for lead poisoning in small animals: good therapeutic index, spares essential minerals and does not increase gut lead absorption, so it can be given while lead is still in the GI tract. Indications include lead poisoning (dogs, cats, birds). This monograph lists 3 reference doses for dogs, cats and birds, each with route, frequency and source.

At a glance

Drug class
Veterinary drug
Also known as
DMSA, Chemet, Dimercaptosuccinic acid
Species with doses
Dogs, Cats and Birds
General dose range
10 mg/kg PO q8h — check the species tables for the indication
Routes
PO
Last reviewed
1 October 2026

Indications

  • Lead poisoning (dogs, cats, birds)

Succimer (DMSA) 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

Succimer (DMSA) doses for dogs
IndicationDoseRouteFrequencyDuration
Lead poisoning10 mg/kgPOq8h for 5 days, then q12h for 2 weeks—
  • Lead poisoning: Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.1081 (Poppenga): 10 mg/kg q8h for 5 days, then 10 mg/kg q12h for 2 weeks; has been given rectally to vomiting dogs. Plumb’s (Talcott): 10 mg/kg PO q8h for 10 days.

Cats

Succimer (DMSA) doses for cats
IndicationDoseRouteFrequencyDuration
Lead poisoning10 mg/kgPOq8h2 weeks (or q8h 5 days then q12h 2 weeks)
  • Lead poisoning: Papich 5e: 10 mg/kg q8h PO for 2 weeks. Plumb’s p.1081 (Poppenga): 10 mg/kg three times daily for 5 days, then twice daily for 2 weeks.

Birds

Succimer (DMSA) doses for birds
IndicationDoseRouteFrequencyDuration
Lead poisoning15–35 mg/kgPOq12h5–7 days
  • Lead poisoning: Plumb’s p.1081: 15–35 mg/kg PO twice daily for 5 days (Calvert); 30 mg/kg PO twice daily for at least 7 days, with one dose of Ca-EDTA (<50 mg/kg IM) if neurological signs are severe (Hoogesteijn).

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity. Use with caution in renal impairment (renally excreted chelate).

Adverse effects

  • Mild GI upset
  • Transient liver-enzyme elevation (humans)

Monitoring

  • Blood lead a few days after the course
  • Clinical neurological/GI signs

Formulations and products

  • 100 mg capsule

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 Succimer (DMSA) for dogs?

Reference doses for Succimer (DMSA) in dogs: 10 mg/kg PO q8h for 5 days, then q12h for 2 weeks (Lead poisoning). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

What is the dose of Succimer (DMSA) for cats?

Reference doses for Succimer (DMSA) in cats: 10 mg/kg PO q8h for 2 weeks (or q8h 5 days then q12h 2 weeks) (Lead poisoning). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

What is the dose of Succimer (DMSA) for birds?

Reference doses for Succimer (DMSA) in birds: 15–35 mg/kg PO q12h for 5–7 days (Lead poisoning). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

When should Succimer (DMSA) not be used?

Hypersensitivity. Use with caution in renal impairment (renally excreted chelate).

What are the side effects of Succimer (DMSA) in animals?

Mild GI upset; Transient liver-enzyme elevation (humans).

Sources

  • Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
  • Papich 5e — Succimer
  • Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

Last reviewed · VetMasterJi