EMERGENCY: If your animal is in immediate danger or showing signs of distress, contact your veterinarian or nearest emergency animal hospital FIRST. The information below is for educational reference only. Guardians.dog and its representatives do not provide veterinary care.
Veterinary Disclaimer
This interactive calculator is a field-friendly reference based on current literature. Always confirm protocols and doses against current product labels. Extralabel use of any medication, especially macrocyclic lactones in herding-breed crosses, requires veterinary oversight.
Select your LGD's weight to instantly view evidence-backed dosing for core antiparasitic medications. Always weigh your dog accurately.
⚠️This calculator is educational only. Drug safety varies by age, weight, pregnancy, MDR1 status, health condition, medication form, and local regulations. Confirm all dosing with a licensed veterinarian before use.
Pharmacology Database Explorer
For analytical review, use the explorer below to view and filter the full master dataset of canine parasite medications, including indication coverage and MDR1 safety profiles.
Drug Name
Brand / Route
Indication
Est. Cost (100lb)
Breeding Safe
Puppy Min Age
MDR1 Status
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MDR1 / ABCB1 Mutation Quick-Check
Herding-Breed Cross Warning: Some herding-breed dogs (and crosses) carry a mutation making them extremely susceptible to toxicosis from P-glycoprotein substrate drugs (notably macrocyclic lactones like ivermectin) at relatively low doses.
FDA-approved heartworm preventives at manufacturer-recommended doses are reported as safe even in mutant/mutant dogs. However, high-volume protocols (e.g., for mange) can be fatal.
Clinical Red Flags
Bloody or black/tarry stool (melena), ongoing vomiting, or unthriftiness/poor coat warrants veterinary assessment and fecal diagnostics.
Cough, dyspnea, weight loss, and poor exercise tolerance are consistent with clinical heartworm disease and should trigger prompt testing.
Rapidly worsening pruritus with crusting/hair loss suggests mange.
About the Author
Written by Jesika VanFossen — LGD breed consultant with 28 years of hands-on livestock guardian dog experience, 30+ years of animal husbandry, and founder of URMAH LC, the longest-running registered Turkish Boz Shepherd breeding program in the United States. Trained by Turkish dog experts, Jesika directs a network of breed-specific research platforms including Guardians.dog, Database.dog, and TurkishBoz.com, and maintains an active network of procurement specialists, along with veterinary, behavioral, and breed professionals for expert referral.
WOAH (2023). Echinococcus granulosus. Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
O'Connell, A., et al. (2019). Parasitic nematode and protozoa status of working sheepdogs. Animals.
Mealey, K. (2008). Canine ABCB1 and macrocyclic lactones. Veterinary Parasitology.
(Full 33-source list available in the Prevention Guide.)
Health & Veterinary Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary care. LGD breeds and giant-breed dogs may have special health risks, medication sensitivities, and emergency-care needs. This content does not diagnose, treat, prescribe, or replace guidance from a licensed veterinarian. If your dog may be sick, injured, poisoned, or in distress, contact a veterinarian, emergency clinic, or poison-control resource right away.
