Albendazole dosing for livestock, done right.
The plain-language reference for albendazole in cattle, sheep, goats and horses — what it treats, the exact volume to give, and how to use it safely. Built around the 11.36% oral liquid.
From $27.99 · 240 mL – 1 gallon · ships from Vetr
Reviewed against manufacturer labels & FARAD guidance · Updated 2026
Estimate a dose in seconds
Enter a species, body weight and product strength. The calculator returns the total dose and the exact volume to draw — then confirm it with your veterinarian.
Albendazole Dosage Calculator
ESTIMATE DOSE & VOLUME · ANIMAL USE ONLY
Reference: —. Estimate only — confirm every dose against the product label and your veterinarian.
Albendazole dose chart — 11.36% oral liquid
Volumes are per 100 lb of body weight, rounded. Weigh the animal, then confirm against your product label.
| Species | Dose rate | Volume (11.36%) | Meat withdrawal | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cattle (beef) | 10 mg/kg | ~4.0 mL / 100 lb | ~27 days | FDA-approved |
| Sheep | 7.5 mg/kg | ~3.0 mL / 100 lb | ~7 days | FDA-approved |
| Goats | 10 mg/kg | ~4.0 mL / 100 lb | ~7 days* | Extra-label |
| Horses | ~8.8 mg/kg | ~3.5 mL / 100 lb | Not for horses raised for food | Per label |
| Alpaca / Llama | ~10 mg/kg | ~4.0 mL / 100 lb | vet / FARAD | Extra-label |
Worked example. A 1,200 lb beef cow at 4 mL/100 lb needs ≈ 48 mL of the 11.36% liquid (about 5,450 mg albendazole). Round to your syringe or drench-gun graduations — a 500 mL bottle treats roughly ten such cows.
1 · Weigh
Use a scale or weigh-tape. Dosing by eye is the most common error — it under-doses big animals and speeds up resistance.
2 · Shake & measure
Shake the suspension thoroughly, then draw the exact volume with a calibrated syringe or drench gun.
3 · Record withdrawal
Log the treatment date and the meat/milk withdrawal window so nothing is sold or slaughtered too early.
*Goat/extra-label withdrawal is often extended beyond the sheep reference — confirm with your veterinarian or FARAD.
Albendazole dosing guides by animal
Species-specific dose, withdrawal and safety detail — each with its own calculator.
What is albendazole?
Albendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic — a dewormer — used widely in veterinary medicine. In livestock it clears many internal parasites in a single oral dose, which is why it’s a staple of herd and flock health programs.
It works by binding to a parasite protein called β-tubulin, disrupting the worm’s ability to absorb glucose. Starved of energy, the parasite dies and is passed out of the animal.
- Active against roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and adult liver flukes
- FDA-approved for cattle and sheep; used extra-label in other species
- Given as an oral suspension, paste or bolus
Dosing figures on this site are cross-referenced to manufacturer product labels (such as Valbazen®) and published veterinary references, and are provided for education only — always confirm against the product label and your veterinarian.
See everything it treats- 1
Binds β-tubulin
Locks onto a structural protein the parasite depends on.
- 2
Cuts the energy supply
Blocks the worm’s ability to take up glucose.
- 3
Cleared from the animal
Starved of energy, the parasite dies and passes out.
What albendazole treats
A single oral dose covers four major parasite groups — the breadth that makes it a herd-health staple.
GI roundworms
Adult stomach and intestinal worms — barber’s pole worm, brown stomach worm, cooperia and others that cause scours, weight loss and anemia.
Lungworms
Adult lungworms behind the deep, persistent cough in grazing cattle and small ruminants; clearing them restores appetite and growth.
Tapeworms
Ruminant tapeworms (Moniezia) seen as segments in manure — reliable tapeworm activity is a real advantage over many other dewormers.
Adult liver flukes
Adult liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) in cattle on wet pastures. Note it targets adult flukes, not immature stages — timing matters.
Albendazole vs. fenbendazole
Both are benzimidazole (“white”) dewormers with overlapping activity. The practical differences:
| Target / trait | Albendazole | Fenbendazole |
|---|---|---|
| GI roundworms | Yes | Yes |
| Lungworms | Yes | Yes |
| Tapeworms (Moniezia) | Yes | Variable |
| Adult liver flukes | Yes (cattle) | No |
| Approved species | Cattle, sheep (+ extra-label) | Wider list |
| Early-pregnancy caution | Yes | Lower concern |
Where benzimidazole resistance has built up, either drug can underperform — a faecal egg-count reduction test shows what still works on your farm.
Do not use in early pregnancy. Albendazole can harm the developing fetus. Avoid it in the first 45 days of pregnancy in cattle and the first 30 days in sheep, and always observe meat and milk withdrawal periods.
Safety at a glance
Albendazole has a long track record when used correctly, but a few rules matter every time. Getting the dose, timing and withdrawal period right protects both your animals and your food chain.
- Weigh the animal — under-dosing drives resistance, over-dosing risks toxicity
- Respect meat and milk withdrawal times before slaughter or sale
- Extra-label use (goats, camelids, poultry) should be veterinarian-directed
AlbendaMax 11.36% oral liquid
The dosing throughout this guide is built around the common 11.36% albendazole oral suspension (113.6 mg/mL) for horses, cattle, sheep and goats — the same strength Vetr stocks, so the volumes above translate straight to the bottle in your hand.
Match the pack to your herd: a 1,200 lb cow uses ~48 mL, so a 500 mL bottle covers roughly ten head, and the gallon sizes suit larger operations.
Shop AlbendaMax 11.36% at VetrHow this guide is sourced
Dosing, withdrawal and safety information here is compiled from manufacturer product labels and recognized veterinary references, then written in plain language. It is educational and does not replace the current product label or your veterinarian’s direction.
- Manufacturer product labels and FDA/NADA approvals for albendazole (for example, Valbazen® oral suspension) — approved species, dose rates and withdrawal times.
- Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) — extra-label withdrawal-interval guidance for food-producing animals.
- Merck Veterinary Manual — benzimidazole anthelmintics: mechanism of action, spectrum and clinical use.
- Peer-reviewed veterinary parasitology literature on benzimidazole efficacy and anthelmintic resistance.
Last reviewed against label references: 2026. Product availability, approvals and withdrawal times vary by country — always confirm the current label locally and with your veterinarian.
Ready to treat your herd?
Get veterinary-grade albendazole shipped to your door. Vetr carries trusted anthelmintics for cattle, sheep, goats and more.
Albendazole FAQ
Is albendazole safe for goats?
Yes, albendazole is used in goats, but this is extra-label — goats aren’t on the approved label, so dosing and withdrawal times should be set by your veterinarian, who may adjust for the parasite being treated.
How long after treatment can I use the milk or meat?
Withdrawal periods depend on the product and species. As a reference, approved cattle products commonly list a meat withdrawal near 27 days; sheep near 7 days. Dairy and extra-label withdrawals differ — confirm the exact figure on your label or with your vet.
Can I give albendazole to a pregnant animal?
Avoid it in early pregnancy. Albendazole is associated with birth defects when given during the first 45 days (cattle) or 30 days (sheep) of gestation. See the safety guide.
What’s the difference between albendazole and fenbendazole?
Both are benzimidazole dewormers. Albendazole adds activity against adult liver flukes and tapeworms that fenbendazole doesn’t reliably cover, while fenbendazole has a wider approved species list. Your vet can help you choose.
How much albendazole does a 1,200 lb cow need?
At 4 mL per 100 lb of the 11.36% liquid, a 1,200 lb cow needs about 48 mL. Always weigh rather than estimate, and round to your syringe graduations.
Can albendazole stop working?
Yes — benzimidazole resistance builds where the class is over-used. Periodic faecal egg-count testing shows whether it’s still effective on your farm and helps you rotate dewormer classes sensibly.