Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Dopamine is dosed at 2–7 mcg/kg/min IV CRI in cats, per 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).. Dopamine is used in cats for Hypotension. Routes documented in cats: IV. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Dopamine in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Intropin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 2–7 mcg/kg/min | CRI | Until stable | 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. PMID: 30410173 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.451 (2026-08-01). |
One of the cited rules is a continuous-rate-infusion regimen: IV 2–7 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.
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your cat's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dopamine dose range in cats, with cited source references: IV 2–7 mcg/kg/min CRI. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dopamine in cats: IV.
Cited course lengths for Dopamine in cats include: Until stable. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Dopamine is indicated in cats for: Hypotension.
These are general warnings for Dopamine across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. IV CRI only. Tissue necrosis with extravasation — use central line if possible. Tachyarrhythmias possible. Do not mix with sodium bicarbonate.
Why a species-specific page? Dopamine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — 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.