Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Dobutamine is dosed at 2–15 mcg/kg/min IV CRI in dogs, per 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).. Dobutamine is used in dogs for Acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock. Routes documented in dogs: IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Dobutamine in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Dobutrex
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 2–15 mcg/kg/min | CRI | Until hemodynamically stable | 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). |
One of the cited rules is a continuous-rate-infusion regimen: IV 2–15 mcg/kg/min CRI. CRI regimens are delivered as a continuous infusion rather than discrete doses — verify the rate against the cited source before use.
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Selective beta-1 adrenergic agonist increasing cardiac contractility (positive inotrope) with less effect on heart rate than dopamine.
IV CRI only — short half-life. Tachyarrhythmias at high doses. Cats are very sensitive — use lower doses. Monitor ECG and blood pressure continuously.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dobutamine dose range in dogs, with cited source references: IV 2–15 mcg/kg/min CRI. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dobutamine in dogs: IV.
Cited course lengths for Dobutamine in dogs include: Until hemodynamically stable. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Dobutamine is indicated in dogs for: Acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock.
These are general warnings for Dobutamine across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. IV CRI only — short half-life. Tachyarrhythmias at high doses. Cats are very sensitive — use lower doses. Monitor ECG and blood pressure continuously.
Why a species-specific page? Dobutamine 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.