What is Dopamine used for?

Dopamine is indicated for: Hypotension, oliguria.

Which species have cited Dopamine dosing data?

Dopamine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 3 species: Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Rabbit (Domestic).

Is Dopamine a controlled substance?

Dopamine 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 Dopamine?

Dopamine 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.

Dopamine

US brand names:Intropin

Calculate dosage

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

Dopamine is dosed at 2–10 mcg/kg/min IV CRI in rabbits, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Cardiovascular

Routes

Indications

Hypotensionoliguria

Mechanism of Action

Dose-dependent receptor activation: low dose (dopaminergic — renal vasodilation), moderate (beta-1 — inotropy), high (alpha-1 — vasoconstriction).

Side effects & warnings

IV CRI only. Tissue necrosis with extravasation — use central line if possible. Tachyarrhythmias possible. Do not mix with sodium bicarbonate.

Evidence levels across 3 dose rules

Strong×1Moderate×1Weak×1

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

Backed by 3 published sources

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
· 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 — Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.294 (2026-08-01).
· 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. PMID: 30410173 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.451 (2026-08-01).

Constant rate infusion (CRI)

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 — Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.294 (2026-08-01).
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. ; 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. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.451 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 3 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 3 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 — Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.294 (2026-08-01).
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. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.451 (2026-08-01).

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Dog (Domestic)IV
2–10 mcg/kg/minCRI
Hypotension, oliguria
StrongSilverstein 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 — Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.294 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)IV
2–7 mcg/kg/minCRI
Hypotension
ModerateSilverstein 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. PMID: 30410173 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.451 (2026-08-01).