Amprolium: Dosage, Uses, and Side Effects

Amprolium for Dogs, Cats, and Other Animal Species: Dosage, Uses, and Side Effects Guide

Overview

Amprolium is a thiamine analogue that disrupts protozoal metabolism.

Uses of Amprolium

• Dogs and Cats: Treatment of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria and Isospora species.
• Cattle: FDA-approved for the treatment and prevention of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii.
• Poultry: Treatment of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria tenella and Eimeria acervulina.
• Sheep and Goats: Used extra-label for the control of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria species.
• Camelids: Treatment of Eimeria macusaniensis infections (extra-label).
• Ferrets and Rabbits: Used for coccidiosis (extra-label).

Note: Limit duration of therapy to 2 weeks to minimize thiamine deficiency risk.

Dose of Amprolium in Animals

Dose of Amprolium in Dogs:

• 200–300 mg/dog p.o. q24h for 7–12 days.
• Small puppies: 60–100 mg/dog p.o. q24h.
• Larger puppies: 200 mg/dog p.o. q24h.

Dose of Amprolium in Cats:

• 60–100 mg/cat p.o. q24h for 7 days.
• 110–220 mg/kg on food q24h for 7–12 days.

Dose of Amprolium in Cattle:

• 5-day treatment protocol: 10 mg/kg daily p.o. for 5 days.
• 21-day prevention protocol: 5 mg/kg daily p.o. for 21 days (as an oral drench or in drinking water).

Dose of Amprolium in Sheep and Goats:

• Sheep: 55 mg/kg p.o. daily for 19 days.
• Goat kids: 50 mg/kg p.o. daily for 5 days.

Dose of Amprolium in Camelids:

• 10 mg/kg p.o. daily for 10–15 days.
• Supplement with thiamine 10 mg/kg s.c. every 5 days during treatment to prevent deficiency.

Dose of Amprolium in Poultry:

• 0.012% solution in drinking water for 3–5 days, followed by a 0.006% solution for 1–2 weeks.
• Severe outbreaks may require higher initial doses; refer to product label for details.

Dose of Amprolium in Ferrets:

• 19 mg/kg p.o. once daily.

Dose of Amprolium in Rabbits:

• 0.15 mL/kg of 9.6% solution p.o. once daily for 5 days.
• In drinking water: 0.5 mL of 9.6% solution/500 mL of water for 10 days.

Side Effects of Amprolium in Animals

• Common: Anorexia, diarrhea, and depression.
• High doses or prolonged use: Thiamine deficiency leading to neurological signs (e.g., stargazing, ataxia, central blindness).

Contraindications of Amprolium in Animals

• Do not use for more than 2 weeks to minimize thiamine deficiency risk.
• Excessive dietary thiamine can reduce or reverse the drug’s anticoccidial activity.

Some Notes:

• Administering exogenous thiamine may reduce the efficacy of amprolium.
• Supplement thiamine in cases of prolonged or high-dose therapy to prevent neurological signs.
• Monitor hydration and ensure treated animals have access to adequate water intake.
• In avian species, clean and disinfect cages to prevent reinfection.