ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/dopamine
US brand names:Intropin
Dopamine is dosed at 7–10 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.
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 — Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.294 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.294' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.266; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.266. — SOURCE EDITION: Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855 |
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 2–7 mcg/kg/minCRI | Hypotension |
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 — Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.294 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.294' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.266; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.266. — SOURCE EDITION: Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855 |
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 2–7 mcg/kg/min | CRI | Moderate |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| 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). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.422, Dopamine monograph spanning p.422-423; 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 |
Hypotension, oliguria
Hypotension
| 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). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.422, Dopamine monograph spanning p.422-423; 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 |