Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Epinephrine is dosed at 0.01–0.02 mg/kg IM q5-15min in dogs, per 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 […]" Corroborated: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed, Part A, printed p.6: "Dogs, Cats:. Bronchoconstriction and anaphylaxis: 10 ug/kg of a 1:1000 solution i.v. or i.m.". Epinephrine is used in dogs for Anaphylaxis, Vaccine reaction, urticaria, Cardiac arrest (IO route), Cardiac arrest (when IV not available). Routes documented in dogs: IM, IO, IT, IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 6 cited dose rules for Epinephrine in dogs, 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 | q5-15min | As needed for anaphylaxis | Anaphylaxis | Strong |
| IM | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg | q15-20min | As needed | Vaccine reaction, urticaria | 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. |
| IO | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg | q3-5min | During CPR | Cardiac arrest (IO route) | Moderate | Fletcher DJ, Boller M, Brainard BM, et al. RECOVER evidence and knowledge gap analysis on veterinary CPR. Part 7: Clinical guidelines. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2012;22. doi:10.1111/j.1476-4431.2012.00751.x — Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.292 |
| IT | 0.02–0.1 mg/kg | q3-5min | During CPR | Cardiac arrest (when IV not available) | Moderate | Plumb's 10th cites the RECOVER CPR Initiative, Part 7 (Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, veccs.org) for this entire CPR block - the same source the live rule names. — 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. |
| IV | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg | q5-15min | Until hemodynamically stable | Anaphylactic shock (severe) | Strong | Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th Ed, Epinephrine, Small Animal Dosage - printed p.292. Corroborated by Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) printed p.459 (low-dose CPR 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO q3-5min) and BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed printed p.6 (10 micrograms/kg i.v. q3-5min). — EDITION CORRECTED 2026-08-07: this citation named the 5th edition, which is not held. The page locator resolves in the 4th ed (2016), the copy actually consulted, and that page names the drug; the reference is to the 4th.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| IV | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg | q3-5min | During CPR/anaphylaxis | Cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis | Strong | Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.292Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog'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 dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Epinephrine dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: IM 0.01–0.02 mg/kg q5-15min; IM 0.01–0.02 mg/kg q15-20min; IO 0.01–0.02 mg/kg q3-5min; IT 0.02–0.1 mg/kg q3-5min. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Epinephrine in dogs: IM, IO, IT, IV.
Cited course lengths for Epinephrine in dogs include: As needed for anaphylaxis; As needed; During CPR; Until hemodynamically stable. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Epinephrine is indicated in dogs for: Anaphylaxis, Vaccine reaction, urticaria, Cardiac arrest (IO route), Cardiac arrest (when IV not available), Anaphylactic shock (severe), Cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis.
These are general warnings for Epinephrine across species; consult the dog 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 dogs — 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.