Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.
Diltiazem is dosed at 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q12-24h in rabbits, per Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. | van Zeeland YR.A, Schoemaker NJ. Diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in small mammals. Proc Conf Annu Assoc Exot Mam Vet; 2018:607-616. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.871 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.8 (Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rabbits). 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.
Side effects & warnings
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.
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Sample dosing (2 of 8 cited rules)
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 8 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.
Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.396, Diltiazem monograph spanning p.396-398.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
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] — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.396, Diltiazem monograph spanning p.396-398.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
· 48. Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. | 83. Jepson L. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, WB Saunders, New York, NY; 2009. — 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).
· Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. / Jepson L. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, WB Saunders, New York, NY; 2009. — 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).
· Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. | Jepson L. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, WB Saunders, New York, NY; 2009. — 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).
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Source citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
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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).
· 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] — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.396, Diltiazem monograph spanning p.396-398.
· Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. | van Zeeland YR.A, Schoemaker NJ. Diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in small mammals. Proc Conf Annu Assoc Exot Mam Vet; 2018:607-616. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.871 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.8 (Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rabbits).
· Morrisey JK, Malakoff RL, Quesenberry KE, et al. Cardiovascular and other diseases Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:55-70. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.946 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.7 (Cardiopulmonary Agents Used in Ferrets).
· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.396, Diltiazem monograph spanning p.396-398.
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor) Dosage for Rabbits | ExoticRx