Amiodarone for Dog
Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Amiodarone is used in dog for Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, Refractory ventricular arrhythmias. Routes documented in dog: IV, PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Amiodarone in dog, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Cordarone, Pacerone
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 5–10 mg/kg | IV loading over 30-60 min | Emergency | Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 10–15 mg/kg | q12h loading x 7d, then q24h | Long-term | Refractory ventricular arrhythmias | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Mechanism of action
Class III antiarrhythmic blocking potassium, sodium, and calcium channels plus beta-adrenergic receptors. Prolongs action potential duration and refractory period.
Side effects & warnings
Very long half-life (weeks). Hepatotoxicity, pulmonary fibrosis, thyroid dysfunction (contains iodine). Monitor liver, thyroid, and lung function. Numerous drug interactions.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dog may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Other Cardiovascular drugs with dog dosing
Why a species-specific page? Amiodarone pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dog — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.