Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Epinephrine is dosed at 0.01–0.02 mg/kg IM q15-20min in cats, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.457, Epinephrine monograph spanning p.457-459. Epinephrine is used in cats for Mild vaccine reaction, Anaphylaxis, Cardiac arrest (CPR). Routes documented in cats: IM, IM, IV, IV, IO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Epinephrine in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Adrenalin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg | q15-20min | As needed | Mild vaccine reaction | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.457, Epinephrine monograph spanning p.457-459.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| IM, IV | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg | q5-15min | As needed | Anaphylaxis | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.457, Epinephrine monograph spanning p.457-459. — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Epinephrine monograph, printed p.459, DOGS/CATS: "Anaphylaxis (extra-label): Initially, epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IM using a 1 mg/mL solution. The SC […]" Corroborated: Papich MG, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed, printed p.292: "Anaphylactic shock: 5-10 mcg/kg IV or IM"; BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed, Part A, printed p.6.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| IV, IO | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg | q3-5min | During CPR | Cardiac arrest (CPR) | Strong | Papich MG, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed, Epinephrine, Small Animal Dosage, printed p.292: "Cardiac arrest: 10-20 mcg/kg IV"; same page, "Generally, start with the low dose every 3-5 minutes IV in CPR." Corroborated: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, printed p.459, DOGS/CATS: "Low-dose epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV, IO administered every 3 to 5 minutes"; BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed, Part A, printed p.6, "Dogs, Cats: Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA): 10 ug/kg. i.v. or intraosseously every 3-5 min."Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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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.
Non-selective adrenergic agonist (alpha and beta). Increases heart rate, contractility, and vascular tone. Bronchodilator. First-line for cardiac arrest and anaphylaxis.
Causes tachycardia, arrhythmias, hypertension. Dilute for IV use (1:10,000). Tissue necrosis if extravasated. Very short duration of action. Light-sensitive.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Epinephrine dose ranges in cats, with cited source references: IM 0.01–0.02 mg/kg q15-20min; IM, IV 0.01–0.02 mg/kg q5-15min; IV, IO 0.01–0.02 mg/kg q3-5min. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Epinephrine in cats: IM, IM, IV, IV, IO.
Cited course lengths for Epinephrine in cats include: As needed; During CPR. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Epinephrine is indicated in cats for: Mild vaccine reaction, Anaphylaxis, Cardiac arrest (CPR).
These are general warnings for Epinephrine across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Causes tachycardia, arrhythmias, hypertension. Dilute for IV use (1:10,000). Tissue necrosis if extravasated. Very short duration of action. Light-sensitive.
Why a species-specific page? Epinephrine 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.