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Chlorhexidine

Nolvasan, CHX Guard

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Sourced from primary literature. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Ophthalmic

Routes

TOPICAL

Indications

bumblefootDental home care rinseDental rinseInterdigital dermatitis (foot soaks)mouth rot (stomatitis)oral wound carePyoderma (topical therapy)Scale rotskin antisepsissurgical prepWound cleaningWound lavagewound management

Mechanism of Action

Cationic biguanide that disrupts bacterial cell membranes. Broad-spectrum bactericidal with residual activity on skin.

Side effects & warnings

TOXIC to cats at concentrations >0.05% for mucous membranes. Ototoxic — never use in ear canal if tympanic membrane is ruptured. Dilute appropriately for wound lavage (0.05%). Inactivated by organic matter.

Species with Chlorhexidine dosing data (22 dose rules)

African Grey ParrotBall PythonBearded DragonCat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Guinea PigRabbit (Domestic)

Evidence levels across 22 dose rules

Moderate×16Strong×6

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 2 published primary sources

  • · Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 22 cited rules)

Free-tier preview — dog and cat dosing. Pro and Student unlock all 7 species including reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)TOPICAL0 topicalq24-48hStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Dog (Domestic)TOPICAL0 topicalq12-24hStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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Calculate Dosage for Chlorhexidine