Emergency Drug Doses by Weight
Enter the patient's weight to see all crash-cart doses at once. Aligned with RECOVER (Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation) consensus where applicable. Print-friendly: hit Cmd/Ctrl-P after entering the weight to keep a copy at the crash cart.
| Drug | Indication | Dose | Concentration | Total dose | Draw up | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Epinephrine (low dose) CPR | CPA — first-line, q3–5min | 0.01 mg/kg | 1 mg/mL (1:1000) | — | — | IV / IO |
Epinephrine (high dose) CPR | CPA — after 2–3 cycles without response | 0.1 mg/kg | 1 mg/mL (1:1000) | — | — | IV / IO |
Atropine CPR | Vagally-mediated brady, asystole, PEA | 0.04 mg/kg | 0.54 mg/mL | — | — | IV / IO |
Vasopressin CPR | CPA — alternative to high-dose epinephrine | 0.8 U/kg | 20 U/mL | — | — | IV / IO |
Lidocaine (dog) CPR | Ventricular tachy / fibrillation | 2 mg/kg | 2% (20 mg/mL) | — | — | Slow IV bolus |
Naloxone Reversal | Opioid reversal | 0.04 mg/kg | 0.4 mg/mL | — | — | IV / IO / IM |
Flumazenil Reversal | Benzodiazepine reversal | 0.01 mg/kg | 0.1 mg/mL | — | — | IV |
Atipamezole Reversal | Alpha-2 reversal (dexmed/medetomidine) | 5× the alpha-2 dose by mg | 5 mg/mL | — | — | IM |
50% dextrose (diluted) Metabolic | Hypoglycemia | 0.5 mL/kg of 50% (dilute 1:2) | 500 mg/mL (50%) | — | — | Slow IV |
10% calcium gluconate Metabolic | Hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia | 50–100 mg/kg | 100 mg/mL (10%) | — | — | Slow IV over 10–20 min |
Notes on the doses
- Epinephrine 1 mg/mL (1:1000): Low-dose 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO is RECOVER first-line during CPR. High-dose 0.1 mg/kg is reserved for prolonged CPA without response after 2–3 cycles.
- Atropine 0.54 mg/mL: 0.04 mg/kg IV/IO for vagally-mediated bradyarrhythmias and asystole/PEA per RECOVER.
- Lidocaine 2% (20 mg/mL): 2 mg/kg slow IV bolus for ventricular arrhythmias (dogs); avoid in cats — they're far more sensitive (use 0.25–0.5 mg/kg titrated, slow).
- Naloxone 0.4 mg/mL: 0.04 mg/kg IV/IO/IM for opioid reversal. Repeat q2–3min if no response. Watch for re-narcotisation as opioid half-life often exceeds naloxone's.
- Flumazenil 0.1 mg/mL: 0.01 mg/kg IV for benzodiazepine reversal. Effect window is short (~60 min); monitor for re-sedation.
- 50% dextrose: 0.5 mL/kg IV diluted 1:2 with saline for hypoglycemia (target 1 mL/kg of the diluted 25% solution). Critical small-mammal/exotic dose with insulinoma history.
- 10% calcium gluconate: 50–100 mg/kg slow IV over 10–20 min for hyperkalemia (cardio- protection) or hypocalcemic tetany. Monitor ECG during infusion.
Reference only — not veterinary advice. Doses and concentrations per Plumb's 10e and the RECOVER 2024 consensus update where applicable. Verify drug concentration on the vial before drawing up.