TB-500 dosage for a large / giant breed
over 77 lb (35 kg)
The short answer
For a dog weighing over 77 lb (35 kg), the dose of TB-500 reported in the literature is 5-12 mg per week, given loading 1-2x weekly, then half dose weekly, over Loading 2-4 weeks, maintenance 4-8 weeks. It is studied in this weight class primarily for orthopaedic injury, chronic joint disease. These figures are reported as published and are not recommendations — the dose for an individual dog must be set by a veterinarian who has examined the animal.
Worked examples at specific weights
Calculated from the reported range of 0.1–0.25 mg per kg of body weight.
| Body weight | Calculated dose range | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 40 kg (88 lb) | 4–10 mg | Loading 1-2x weekly, then half dose weekly |
| 50 kg (110 lb) | 5–12.5 mg | Loading 1-2x weekly, then half dose weekly |
| 60 kg (132 lb) | 6–15 mg | Loading 1-2x weekly, then half dose weekly |
For an exact figure at your dog's weight, use the dose calculator.
Typical breeds in this weight class
German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, Great Dane, Mastiff and similarly sized dogs generally fall within over 77 lb (35 kg). Weigh your dog rather than estimating — dosing is calculated per kilogram and an estimate that is out by a few kilos changes the figure materially, particularly at the smaller end.
Before dosing at all
⚠ Contraindicated with active cancer
TB-500 is associated with promoting angiogenesis and cell migration in preclinical models — the same two processes tumours depend on to grow and spread. Any dog with a known or suspected malignancy should be screened and cleared before this compound is considered.
Common questions
How much TB-500 for a large / giant breed?+
For a dog in the over 77 lb (35 kg) range, the reported dose is 5-12 mg per week, given loading 1-2x weekly, then half dose weekly, typically for Loading 2-4 weeks, maintenance 4-8 weeks. At a representative weight of 45 kg (about 99 lb), that works out to roughly 4.5–11.3 mg per dose. These figures are reported from the source literature and are not recommendations.
How often should a large / giant breed be given TB-500?+
Loading 1-2x weekly, then half dose weekly is the reported frequency, over a course of Loading 2-4 weeks, maintenance 4-8 weeks. See the cycling guide for how breaks are structured.
Is TB-500 safe for a large / giant breed?+
TB-500 is generally well tolerated in the veterinary literature, with injection-site swelling the most common observation. The decisive safety question is not tolerance but cancer status: because the compound is associated with promoting new blood vessel growth and cell migration, it is contraindicated in dogs with active or suspected malignancy. Screening before starting is not optional. It is also banned in competitive racing and is detectable on testing.
References
- 1.Kleinman HK, Sosne G Thymosin beta 4 promotes dermal healing: animal studies. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2010. PMID 20536453
- 2.Goldstein AL, Hannappel E, Sosne G, Kleinman HK Thymosin beta-4: a multi-functional regenerative peptide. Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, 2012. PMID 22074294
- 3.Kwok WH, et al. Doping control analysis of TB-500 in equine urine and plasma. Journal of Chromatography B, 2013. PMID 23084823
- 4.Esposito S, et al. TB500/TB1000: understanding misbranded drugs. Drug Testing and Analysis, 2022. View source
- 5.CANINE STUDYJournal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Case report: canine stifle injury managed with BPC-157 and TB-500. JAHVM, 2023. View source
Other weight classes: TB-500 for a small / toy breed, TB-500 for a medium breed.
Educational information — not veterinary medical advice
Everything on this page is compiled from published peer-reviewed literature for educational and research purposes. It does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) and is not a substitute for veterinary examination and diagnosis. Most compounds described here are investigational or used off-label and are not FDA-approved for these purposes in dogs. Extralabel drug use in animals requires a valid VCPR and the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian under AMDUCA (21 U.S.C. §360b). Dosing figures are reported as they appear in the source literature and are not recommendations.