ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/dorzolamide
US brand names:Trusopt, Cosopt(combination)
Dorzolamide is dosed at 1 drop of 1% solution (dilute 2% product), topical topical ophthalmic q12h in pet rats, per Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.800 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Inhibits carbonic anhydrase II in the ciliary body, reducing aqueous humor production and lowering intraocular pressure.
Stinging on application. May be used alone or with timolol (Cosopt). Primary treatment for glaucoma in dogs. Less effective in cats and horses. Apply q8-12h.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Pet Rat drugs
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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) | TOPICAL | 1 drop/eye | q8h | Strong | Gelatt KN, MacKay EO. Changes in intraocular pressure associated with topical dorzolamide and oral methazolamide in glaucomatous dogs. Vet Ophthalmol. 2001;4:61-67. doi:10.1046/j.1463-5224.2001.00141.x; Cawrse MA, Ward DA, Hendrix DV. Effects of topical application of a 2% solution of dorzolamide on intraocular pressure and aqueous humor flow rate in clinically normal dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2001;62:859-863. doi:10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.859 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1389 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1362, Dorzolamide Ophthalmic monograph; 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; Veterinary Ophthalmology — ISBN 9781119441830, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781119441830 |
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| Cat (Domestic) | TOPICAL | 1 drop/eye | q8-12h | Weak | (Plumb's Dorzolamide Ophthalmic, cited for the feline adverse-effect warning) - renal tubular acidosis and hypokalemia reported in a cat due to topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor administration — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1389 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1362, Dorzolamide Ophthalmic monograph; 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 |