What is Dobutamine used for?

Dobutamine is indicated for: Acute heart failure, Anesthetic-induced hypotension, Cardiogenic shock.

Which species have cited Dobutamine dosing data?

Dobutamine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 4 species: Amazon Parrot, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Rabbit (Domestic).

Is Dobutamine a controlled substance?

Dobutamine is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What is the constant rate infusion (CRI) dose for Dobutamine?

Dobutamine has 2 CRI dose rules in the ExoticRx formulary, covering Dog (Domestic), Cat (Domestic). See the CRI section on this page for routes, dose ranges, and source citations.

Dobutamine

US brand names:Dobutrex

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Dobutamine is dosed at 15 μg/kg/min IV CRI (continuous rate infusion) in amazon parrots, per 837. Schnellbacher RW, da Cunha AF, Beaufrère H, et al. Effects of dopamine and dobutamine on isoflurane-induced hypotension in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Am J Vet Res. 2012;73(7):952-958. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.450 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic/Sedative/Analgesic Agents Used in Birds.a,b). 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.

Drug Class

Cardiovascular

Routes

Indications

Acute heart failureAnesthetic-induced hypotensionCardiogenic shock

Mechanism of Action

Selective beta-1 adrenergic agonist increasing cardiac contractility (positive inotrope) with less effect on heart rate than dopamine.

Side effects & warnings

IV CRI only — short half-life. Tachyarrhythmias at high doses. Cats are very sensitive — use lower doses. Monitor ECG and blood pressure continuously.

Species with Dobutamine dosing data (4 dose rules)

Amazon Parrot Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Rabbit (Domestic)

Species references:All Amazon Parrot drugs All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 4 dose rules

Weak×2Strong×1Moderate×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 4 published sources

· 837. Schnellbacher RW, da Cunha AF, Beaufrère H, et al. Effects of dopamine and dobutamine on isoflurane-induced hypotension in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Am J Vet Res. 2012;73(7):952-958. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.450 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic/Sedative/Analgesic Agents Used in Birds.a,b). 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
· Butler AL. Goal-Directed Therapy in Small Animal Critical Illness. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2011;41(4):817-838. / 5. Pachtinger GE, Drobatz K. Assessment and Treatment of Hypovolemic States. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2008;38(3):629-643. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2011.05.002 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.444 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.416, Dobutamine monograph spanning p.416-417; 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,

Constant rate infusion (CRI)

Dobutamine CRI dose rules from the ExoticRx formulary. Verify against current literature before clinical use; CRI rates differ from bolus dosing and route, dilution, and monitoring matter. Sign in for the complete per-species CRI protocol set.

Species	Route	Rate	Indication	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	2–15 mcg/kg/minCRI	Acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock	Strong	Butler AL. Goal-Directed Therapy in Small Animal Critical Illness. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2011;41(4):817-838. / 5. Pachtinger GE, Drobatz K. Assessment and Treatment of Hypovolemic States. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2008;38(3):629-643. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2011.05.002 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.444 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.416, Dobutamine monograph spanning p.416-417; 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
Cat (Domestic)	IV	1–5 mcg/kg/minCRI

Sample dosing (2 of 4 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 4 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.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	2–15 mcg/kg/min	CRI	Strong	Butler AL. Goal-Directed Therapy in Small Animal Critical Illness. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2011;41(4):817-838. / 5. Pachtinger GE, Drobatz K. Assessment and Treatment of Hypovolemic States. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2008;38(3):629-643. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2011.05.002 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.444 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.416, Dobutamine monograph spanning p.416-417; 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
Cat (Domestic)	IV	1–5 mcg/kg/min	CRI

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Calculate Dosage for Dobutamine

Dog (Domestic)IV
2–15 mcg/kg/minCRI
Acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock
StrongButler AL. Goal-Directed Therapy in Small Animal Critical Illness. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2011;41(4):817-838. / 5. Pachtinger GE, Drobatz K. Assessment and Treatment of Hypovolemic States. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2008;38(3):629-643. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2011.05.002 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.444 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.416, Dobutamine monograph spanning p.416-417; 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
Cat (Domestic)IV
1–5 mcg/kg/minCRI
Acute heart failure
ModeratePeterson N, Barr JW. Cardiogenic Shock. In: Clinical Small Animal Internal Medicine.2020:413-420. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.444 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.416, Dobutamine monograph spanning p.416-417; 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