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Atropine for Dog

Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg

Atropine is used in dog for Pre-anesthetic, reduce secretions, Bradycardia, organophosphate toxicity, pre-anesthetic, Organophosphate/carbamate toxicity, CPR protocol. Routes documented in dog: IM, IV, SC. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 5 cited dose rules for Atropine in dog, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Dose ranges

RouteDoseFrequencyDurationIndicationEvidenceSource
IM0.02–0.04 mg/kgonceSingle pre-anesthetic dosePre-anesthetic, reduce secretionsStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
IV0.02–0.04 mg/kgq15-20minAs neededBradycardia, organophosphate toxicity, pre-anestheticStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
IV0.2–0.5 mg/kgq15-30minUntil atropinization achievedOrganophosphate/carbamate toxicityStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
IV0.04 mg/kgq3-5minDuring CPR for asystole/PEACPR protocolModerateRECOVER CPR Guidelines
SC0.02–0.04 mg/kgonceSingle dosePre-anestheticStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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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.

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Mechanism of action

Competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist. Increases heart rate (vagolytic), reduces secretions, and mydriasis.

Side effects & warnings

Tachycardia, ileus, urinary retention. Increases myocardial oxygen demand. Rabbits have high atropinase activity — may need higher/more frequent doses or use glycopyrrolate instead.

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 Emergency drugs with dog dosing

Atropine dosing in other species

Why a species-specific page? Atropine 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.