This drug does have veterinary uses, but the product and the amount have to be chosen by a vet who knows your dog. There is no at-home dose.
Ivermectin is used in heartworm prevention and other parasite treatment under veterinary direction. Prescribed prevention and an accidental exposure to a different formulation are separate situations.
Call a vet or poison control now. Do not wait for symptoms.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. A consultation fee may apply.
Educational reference. Not individualized veterinary advice.(more)
See this page's cited references for supporting information and our Sources page for the reference organizations we use. Citations do not imply that those organizations reviewed or endorsed DogSafe.
Part of Veterinary prescriptions and accidental double doses on our medication safety hub.
Do not wait for symptoms and do not wait until you have filled in the form below. Call first, then use the checklist while you are on the phone.
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Exposure details to have ready
These are the questions a veterinarian or poison-control operator will ask. Fill in what you know and leave the rest blank. This tool does not estimate a dose or a risk score: medication risk depends on the exact ingredient, strength, and formulation, so the assessment has to come from the clinician on the call.
- Keep the package, blister pack, or prescription bottle. The strength and the full ingredient list are what make the advice specific.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison-control professional tells you to. It is the wrong move for several medications and can cause harm on its own.
- Do not give milk, food, salt, hydrogen peroxide, or any home remedy on your own.
- Do not give a second dose of anything to make up for one you think was missed.
- Count what is left in the packet, so the number missing can be worked out.
Your exposure summary
Read this down the phone or paste it into a message to your vet. It stays on your device; nothing here is sent to DogSafe.
Why Ivermectin is dangerous
Ivermectin is used in heartworm prevention and other parasite treatment under veterinary direction. Prescribed prevention and an accidental exposure to a different formulation are separate situations. Dogs with MDR1/ABCB1 sensitivity can be less able to tolerate higher doses. Confirm the intended species and concentration on the package, especially with livestock products. A breed selection or a general hazard rating cannot establish the safe amount for an individual dog.
Part of the Levetiracetam guide
For related dog-safety questions and product-by-product answers, see the complete levetiracetam guide.
Signs to watch for
Stumbling, tremors, enlarged pupils, drooling, vomiting or diarrhea; severe neurologic changes require emergency care.
Related items
Check the exact item or ingredient before assuming two similar exposures carry the same risk.
What to do next
Have the exact ingredient name, strength or concentration, amount missing, possible time, dog’s weight and current medications ready. Report chewed packaging and ask what to do before the next prescribed dose.
🚨Step-by-step: what to do in the first 10 minutes →Available 24/7. A consultation fee may apply.
FAQ
This page gives no dose or safe-exposure threshold. Follow the prescription for this dog; ask the veterinarian to confirm the product and any change to the schedule.
Prevent further access and keep the packaging. Do not induce vomiting or give a home remedy unless a veterinary professional directs you for this exposure.
Call promptly after an accidental ingestion, suspected extra dose, unknown amount or unexpected reaction. Breathing difficulty, collapse, seizures or inability to respond needs emergency veterinary care. Do not wait for those signs before calling.
No change should be made without the prescriber. VCA distinguishes prescribed heartworm-prevention doses from higher exposures in sensitive dogs. Ask your veterinarian about the actual product and any genetic test result.
- VCA Animal Hospitals: ivermectin
- Pet Poison Helpline: what to remember during a poisoning