# 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.

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

## 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*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lead poisoning | 10 mg/kg | PO | q8h 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*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lead poisoning | 10 mg/kg | PO | q8h | 2 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*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lead poisoning | 15–35 mg/kg | PO | q12h | 5–7 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

> **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.

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## 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

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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.