ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/dopamine
US brand names:Intropin
Dopamine is dosed at 0.08 mg/kg IV prn in guinea pigs, per Laird KL, Swindle MM, Flecknell PA. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine, Pergamon, New York, NY; 1996. — 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). Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Dose-dependent receptor activation: low dose (dopaminergic — renal vasodilation), moderate (beta-1 — inotropy), high (alpha-1 — vasoconstriction).
IV CRI only. Tissue necrosis with extravasation — use central line if possible. Tachyarrhythmias possible. Do not mix with sodium bicarbonate.
Species references:All Amazon Parrot drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Guinea Pig drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Dopamine 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 | 2–10 mcg/kg/minCRI | Hypotension, oliguria | Strong | Silverstein DC, Beer KAS. Controversies regarding choice of vasopressor therapy for management of septic shock in animals. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2015;25(1):48-54. doi:10.1111/vec.12282 — Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.266 |
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 2–7 mcg/kg/minCRI | Hypotension | Moderate | Silverstein DC, Beer KAS. Controversies regarding choice of vasopressor therapy for management of septic shock in animals. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2015;25(1):48-54. doi:10.1111/vec.12282; Licht N, Rozanski EA, Rush JE. Vasopressor use in 41 critically ill cats (2007-2016). Canadian Veterinary Journal-Revue Veterinaire Canadienne. 2018;59:1175-1180. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.422, Dopamine monograph spanning p.422-423. |
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 | 2–10 mcg/kg/min | CRI | Strong | Silverstein DC, Beer KAS. Controversies regarding choice of vasopressor therapy for management of septic shock in animals. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2015;25(1):48-54. doi:10.1111/vec.12282 — Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.266 |
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 2–7 mcg/kg/min | CRI | Moderate | Silverstein DC, Beer KAS. Controversies regarding choice of vasopressor therapy for management of septic shock in animals. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2015;25(1):48-54. doi:10.1111/vec.12282; Licht N, Rozanski EA, Rush JE. Vasopressor use in 41 critically ill cats (2007-2016). Canadian Veterinary Journal-Revue Veterinaire Canadienne. 2018;59:1175-1180. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.422, Dopamine monograph spanning p.422-423. |
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Hypotension, oliguria
Hypotension