Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Desmopressin is dosed at 0.05–0.1 mg PO q12h in dogs, per Harb MF, Nelson RW, Feldman EC, Scott-Moncrieff JC, Griffey SM. Central diabetes insipidus in dogs: 20 cases (1986-1995). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996;209(11):1884-1888. doi:10.2460/javma.1996.209.11.1884 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.380 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.352, Desmopressin monograph spanning p.352-354; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Desmopressin is used in dogs for Central diabetes insipidus, Von Willebrand disease (pre-surgical). Routes documented in dogs: PO, SC. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Desmopressin in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: DDAVP, Stimate
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.05–0.1 mg | q12h | Long-term | Central diabetes insipidus | Moderate | Harb MF, Nelson RW, Feldman EC, Scott-Moncrieff JC, Griffey SM. Central diabetes insipidus in dogs: 20 cases (1986-1995). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996;209(11):1884-1888. doi:10.2460/javma.1996.209.11.1884 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.380 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.352, Desmopressin monograph spanning p.352-354; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| SC | 1 mcg/kg | Single dose 30 min pre-surgery | Single dose | Von Willebrand disease (pre-surgical) | Moderate | Callan MB, Giger U, Catalfamo JL. Effect of desmopressin on von Willebrand factor multimers in Doberman Pinschers with type 1 von Willebrand disease. Am J Vet Res. 2005;66(5):861-867. doi:10.2460/ajvr.2005.66.861 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.380 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.352, Desmopressin monograph spanning p.352-354; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mcg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.128 | 1-4 μg (micrograms)/kg i.v. once; dilute in 20 ml saline and administer over 10 min. |
| 5 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.128 | ml/dog intranasally or on to the conjunctiva q8-24h, or 5 μg/kg p.o. q8-24h initially (maximum dose 400 μg p.o. q8h). The dose and frequency of dosin |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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.
Synthetic analog of vasopressin (ADH) that acts on V2 receptors in the renal collecting ducts, increasing water reabsorption. Also releases von Willebrand factor from endothelium.
Water intoxication/hyponatremia if water intake not monitored. Used for central diabetes insipidus and von Willebrand disease (Type I). Ineffective for nephrogenic DI. Monitor urine specific gravity.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Desmopressin dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: PO 0.05–0.1 mg q12h; SC 1 mcg/kg Single dose 30 min pre-surgery. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Desmopressin in dogs: PO, SC.
Cited course lengths for Desmopressin in dogs include: Long-term; Single dose. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Desmopressin is indicated in dogs for: Central diabetes insipidus, Von Willebrand disease (pre-surgical).
These are general warnings for Desmopressin across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Water intoxication/hyponatremia if water intake not monitored. Used for central diabetes insipidus and von Willebrand disease (Type I). Ineffective for nephrogenic DI. Monitor urine specific gravity.
Why a species-specific page? Desmopressin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — 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.