Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg
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). Diltiazem is used in rabbits for Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Routes documented in rabbits: PO. A typical adult rabbit weighs 1.00–5.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Diltiazem in rabbits, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Cardizem, Dilacor
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q12-24h | Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias | Moderate | 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).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5–1 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 10.8 | 0.5-1 mg/kg PO q12- 24h,241 4 mg/kg PO q8h181b 24 mg/kg PO q12h181b |
| 4 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 10.8 | 0.5-1 mg/kg PO q12- 24h,241 4 mg/kg PO q8h181b 24 mg/kg PO q12h181b |
| 24 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 10.8 | 0.5-1 mg/kg PO q12- 24h,241 4 mg/kg PO q8h181b 24 mg/kg PO q12h181b |
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.
Typical range: 1–5 kg
If provided, volume will be calculated alongside dose.
Reference only. 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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for rabbits may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Diltiazem dose range in rabbits, with cited source references: PO 0.5–1 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Diltiazem in rabbits: PO.
Diltiazem is indicated in rabbits for: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias.
These are general warnings for Diltiazem across species; consult the rabbit 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 rabbits — 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.