Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Diltiazem is dosed at 0.5–1.5 mg/kg PO q8h (IR) or q12-24h (ER) in dogs, per 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).. Diltiazem is used in dogs for Supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Diltiazem in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Cardizem, Dilacor
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.5–1.5 mg/kg | q8h (IR) or q12-24h (ER) | Long-term | Supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation | 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). |
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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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Diltiazem dose range in dogs, with cited source references: PO 0.5–1.5 mg/kg q8h (IR) or q12-24h (ER). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Diltiazem in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Diltiazem in dogs include: Long-term. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Diltiazem is indicated in dogs for: Supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation.
These are general warnings for Diltiazem across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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.
Why a species-specific page? Diltiazem 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.