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Deferoxamine

Desferal

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

Drug Class

Antidote

Routes

IVIM

Indications

Iron toxicosis

Mechanism of Action

Chelates free ferric (Fe3+) iron forming ferrioxamine which is renally excreted. Does not remove iron from hemoglobin or cytochromes.

Side effects & warnings

Specific antidote for iron toxicosis. IV CRI preferred. Vin rosé colored urine indicates adequate chelation. Hypotension with rapid IV infusion. Anuric patients: may need dialysis.

Species with Deferoxamine dosing data (2 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)

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

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Moderate×1Weak×1

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

Backed by a published source

  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Constant rate infusion (CRI)

Deferoxamine CRI dose rules from the ExoticRx formulary. Verify against current literature before clinical use; CRI rates differ from bolus dosing and route, dilution, and monitoring matter. Sign in for the complete per-species CRI protocol set.

  • Dog (Domestic)IV
    10–15 mg/kg/hCRI

    Iron toxicosis

    ModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
  • Cat (Domestic)IV
    10–15 mg/kg/hCRI

    Iron toxicosis

    WeakPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 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.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)IV10–15 mg/kg/hCRIModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Cat (Domestic)IV10–15 mg/kg/hCRIWeakPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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