Which species have cited Atenolol dosing data?

Atenolol dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 3 species: Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Rabbit (Domestic).

Is Atenolol a controlled substance?

Atenolol is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Atenolol

US brand names:Tenormin

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Atenolol is dosed at 0.5–2 mg/kg PO q24h in rabbits, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, p.871, Table 10.8 (Atenolol, 0.5-2 mg/kg PO q24h). Superscript 241 = van Zeeland YRA, Schoemaker NJ. Diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in small mammals.. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Cardiovascular

Routes

Indications

arrhythmiasCardiac arrhythmiasFeline aortic thromboembolism risk reductionHCMhypertensionSubaortic stenosis rate controlSupraventricular arrhythmiasVentricular arrhythmias

Mechanism of Action

Selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocker. Reduces heart rate, contractility, and myocardial oxygen demand.

Side effects & warnings

Do not discontinue abruptly (rebound tachycardia). Avoid in decompensated heart failure, severe bradycardia, or AV block. May mask hypoglycemia signs.

Species with Atenolol dosing data (6 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Rabbit (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 6 dose rules

Strong×2Moderate×3Extrapolated×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 4 published sources

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, p.871, Table 10.8 (Atenolol, 0.5-2 mg/kg PO q24h). Superscript 241 = van Zeeland YRA, Schoemaker NJ. Diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in small mammals.
· Henik RA, Stepien RL, Wenholz LJ, Dolson MK. Efficacy of atenolol as a single antihypertensive agent in hyperthyroid cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2008;10(6):577-582. doi:10.1016/j.jfms.2007.11.008 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.132 (2026-08-01).
· Meurs KM, Lehmkuhl LB, Bonagura JD. Survival times in dogs with severe subvalvular aortic stenosis treated with balloon valvuloplasty or atenolol. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2005;227(3):420-424. doi:10.2460/javma.2005.227.420 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.132 (2026-08-01).
· Nishimura S, Visser LC, Belanger C, Oldach MS, Gunther-Harrington CT, Stern JA. Echocardiographic evaluation of velocity ratio, velocity time integral ratio, and pulmonary valve area in dogs withttpulmonary valve stenosis. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32(5):1570-1578. ; Meurs KM, Lehmkuhl LB, Bonagura JD. Survival times in dogs with severe subvalvular aortic stenosis treated with balloon valvuloplasty or atenolol. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2005;227(3):420-424. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.132 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 6 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 3 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	0.25–1 mg/kg	q12-24h	Strong	Meurs KM, Lehmkuhl LB, Bonagura JD. Survival times in dogs with severe subvalvular aortic stenosis treated with balloon valvuloplasty or atenolol. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2005;227(3):420-424. doi:10.2460/javma.2005.227.420 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.132 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	PO	1–2 mg/kg	q12-24h	Strong	Henik RA, Stepien RL, Wenholz LJ, Dolson MK. Efficacy of atenolol as a single antihypertensive agent in hyperthyroid cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2008;10(6):577-582. doi:10.1016/j.jfms.2007.11.008 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.132 (2026-08-01).

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