ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/diltiazem
US brand names:Cardizem, Dilacor
Diltiazem is dosed at 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q12-24h in chinchillas, per Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.794 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.5 (Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Blocks L-type calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle. Slows AV conduction, reduces heart rate, and reduces myocardial oxygen demand.
Monitor heart rate and blood pressure. Drug of choice for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Bradycardia, hypotension, AV block possible. Do not combine with beta-blockers without caution.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Chinchilla drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Dwarf Hamster drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Pet Rat drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs
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| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 0.5–2.5 mg/kg | q8h | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.396, Diltiazem monograph spanning p.396-398; 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 |
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 0.5–1.5 mg/kg | q8h (IR) or q12-24h (ER) | Strong | Kittleson M. Chapt 29: Drugs used in treatment of cardiac arrhythmias- Drugs used to treat tachyarrythmias - part 6. Veterinary Information Network. [ref 15]; Rush J. Treatment of life-threatening arrhythmias. Presented at: IVECCS; 2005 [ref 16] — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.425 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.396, Diltiazem monograph spanning p.396-398; 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, |
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