What is Deferoxamine used for?

Deferoxamine is indicated for: Iron toxicosis.

Which species have cited Deferoxamine dosing data?

Deferoxamine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 2 species: Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic).

Is Deferoxamine a controlled substance?

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

What is the constant rate infusion (CRI) dose for Deferoxamine?

Deferoxamine has 2 CRI dose rules in the ExoticRx formulary, covering Dog (Domestic), Cat (Domestic). See the CRI section on this page for routes, dose ranges, and source citations.

Deferoxamine

US brand names:Desferal

Calculate dosage

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

Deferoxamine is dosed at 10–15 mg/kg/h IV CRI in dogs, per Brutlag AG, Flint CTC, Puschner B. Iron intoxication in a dog consequent to the ingestion of oxygen absorber sachets in pet treat packaging. J Medical Toxicol. 2012;8(1):76-79. doi:10.1007/s13181-011-0201-3 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.373 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

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) drugs All 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

· Brutlag AG, Flint CTC, Puschner B. Iron intoxication in a dog consequent to the ingestion of oxygen absorber sachets in pet treat packaging. J Medical Toxicol. 2012;8(1):76-79. doi:10.1007/s13181-011-0201-3 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.373 (2026-08-01).

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.

Species	Route	Rate	Indication	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	10–15 mg/kg/hCRI	Iron toxicosis	Moderate	Brutlag AG, Flint CTC, Puschner B. Iron intoxication in a dog consequent to the ingestion of oxygen absorber sachets in pet treat packaging. J Medical Toxicol. 2012;8(1):76-79. doi:10.1007/s13181-011-0201-3 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.373 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	IV	10–15 mg/kg/hCRI	Iron toxicosis	Weak	Brutlag AG, Flint CTC, Puschner B. Iron intoxication in a dog consequent to the ingestion of oxygen absorber sachets in pet treat packaging. J Medical Toxicol. 2012;8(1):76-79. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.373 (2026-08-01).

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.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	10–15 mg/kg/h	CRI	Moderate	Brutlag AG, Flint CTC, Puschner B. Iron intoxication in a dog consequent to the ingestion of oxygen absorber sachets in pet treat packaging. J Medical Toxicol. 2012;8(1):76-79. doi:10.1007/s13181-011-0201-3 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.373 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	IV	10–15 mg/kg/h	CRI	Weak	Brutlag AG, Flint CTC, Puschner B. Iron intoxication in a dog consequent to the ingestion of oxygen absorber sachets in pet treat packaging. J Medical Toxicol. 2012;8(1):76-79. doi:10.1007/s13181-011-0201-3 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.373 (2026-08-01).

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