Decoquinate
4-hydroxy quinolone
Also known as: Deccox-M · Doccox-L · Advance Calvita Supreme Medicated · HC-1528 · M&B-15497
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coccidiosis prophylaxis | 50 mg/kg PO once daily | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Canine hepatozoonosis (Hepatozoon americanum) relapse prevention | 20 mg/kg PO q12h | PO | q12h | long-term (Recommend treating for 2 years) | 🌎 NA |
| Canine hepatozoonosis relapse prevention (alternative) | 10-20 mg/kg PO q12h | PO | q12h | for 24 months | 🌎 NA |
- Canine hepatozoonosis (Hepatozoon americanum) relapse prevention: Given after 14 days of TCP therapy (TMP/Sulfa, Clindamycin, Pyrimethamine). Perform muscle biopsy after 2 years; if negative, may discontinue.
- Canine hepatozoonosis relapse prevention (alternative): Given after 14 days of TCP therapy.
Cattle
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prophylaxis of coccidiosis | 0.5 mg/kg per day in feed | PO | q24h | for at least 28 days | 🌎 NA |
- Prophylaxis of coccidiosis: Using the 6% premix
Goats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prophylaxis of coccidiosis | 0.5 mg/kg per day in feed | PO | q24h | during periods of exposure | 🌎 NA |
| Prophylaxis of coccidiosis | 0.5-1 mg/kg of body weight PO | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Decoquinate is a 4-hydroxy quinolone antiprotozoal agent primarily used as a coccidiostat in livestock and poultry. While highly effective for preventing coccidiosis by arresting the parasite's life cycle at the sporozoite stage, it is ineffective against adult coccidia and cannot treat active clinical infections.
In small animal medicine, its most notable off-label use is in dogs for the long-term prevention of hepatozoonosis relapse (caused by Hepatozoon americanum) following initial acute therapy. Because it is a static agent (coccidiostatic rather than coccidiocidal), it relies on the host's immune system to clear the inhibited parasites.
Mechanism of action
Decoquinate acts specifically on the sporozoite stage of the coccidian life cycle.
- Sporozoites can still penetrate host intestinal cells, but further intracellular development is halted.
- Mechanism: It disrupts electron transport within the mitochondrial cytochrome system of the parasite → inhibits respiration and ATP energy production → prevents maturation and replication.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Lactating dairy animals producing milk for food
- Laying chickens
- Treatment of active/clinical coccidiosis
Precautions
Decoquinate is not effective for treating clinical coccidiosis and has no efficacy against adult coccidia. It is not FDA-approved for use in animals producing milk for food or in laying chickens.
Monitoring
- Clinical signs of coccidiosis or hepatozoonosis relapse
- Muscle biopsy (after 2 years of hepatozoonosis treatment in dogs to confirm clearance)
Overdose
Decoquinate is considered to have a wide safety margin. No specific acute toxicity information was located.
Available products
Formulations
- Feed additive (6%, 0.5%, 0.8%)
- Medicated calf milk replacer
Veterinary
- Decoquinate 6% (27.2 gram/lb) Feed Additive
- Decoquinate 0.5% (2.271 grams/lb) Feed Additive
- Decoquinate 0.8% (3.632 grams/lb) Feed Additive
- Medicated calf milk replacers (22.7 mg/lb)
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Incompatible with strong bases or oxidizing material. Store in a cool, dry place, preferably in airtight containers. Deccox is compatible with bacitracin zinc, chlortetracycline, and lincomycin.
Client information
- Administration: Mix the medication thoroughly into your pet's food.
- Duration is Key:
- For coccidiosis prevention, it must be given for at least 4 weeks.
- For dogs being treated for Hepatozoonosis, treatment is very long-term and may continue for up to 2 years to prevent relapse.
Important: This medication prevents infection but does not cure active, symptomatic coccidiosis.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.