Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Doxorubicin is dosed at 1 mg/kg IV q21d in cats, per Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.459 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.432, Doxorubicin monograph spanning p.430-432; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Doxorubicin is used in cats for Lymphoma, mammary carcinoma. Routes documented in cats: IV. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Doxorubicin in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Adriamycin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 1 mg/kg | q21d | 4-6 cycles | Lymphoma, mammary carcinoma | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.459 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.432, Doxorubicin monograph spanning p.430-432; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
The sources disagree for this combination. The ranges below do not overlap on a comparable route. This is not an error in one of them — published veterinary references differ, and reconciling them for a particular patient is a clinical judgement.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.156 | 1 mg/kg or 20-25 mg/m2 i.v. q3-5wk. Maximum total dose not to exceed 240 mg/m2. |
| 1.25 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.302 | • 20 mg/m2 (approximately 1.25 mg/kg) q3wks IV. In some cats, higher doses of |
| Dose (mg/m2) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 |
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Intercalates DNA, inhibits topoisomerase II, and generates free radicals. Multiple mechanisms of cytotoxicity against rapidly dividing cells.
VESICANT — extravasation causes severe tissue necrosis (apply cold, dexrazoxane if available). Cumulative cardiotoxicity (max lifetime dose ~240mg/m2 in dogs). Myelosuppression. Anaphylaxis risk in dogs (premedicate with antihistamine). Cats: nephrotoxic.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Doxorubicin dose range in cats, with cited source references: IV 1 mg/kg q21d. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Doxorubicin in cats: IV.
Cited course lengths for Doxorubicin in cats include: 4-6 cycles. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Doxorubicin is indicated in cats for: Lymphoma, mammary carcinoma.
These are general warnings for Doxorubicin across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. VESICANT — extravasation causes severe tissue necrosis (apply cold, dexrazoxane if available). Cumulative cardiotoxicity (max lifetime dose ~240mg/m2 in dogs). Myelosuppression. Anaphylaxis risk in dogs (premedicate with antihistamine). Cats: nephrotoxic.
Why a species-specific page? Doxorubicin 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.
| IV |
| Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.302 |
| • 20 mg/m2 (approximately 1.25 mg/kg) q3wks IV. In some cats, higher doses of |
| 25 | — | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.302 | 25 mg/m2 appear to be equally tolerated. |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.