ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/hetastarch
US brand names:Hextend, Hespan
Hetastarch is dosed at 5–20 ml/kg IV IV bolus or CRI in dogs, per VETSTARCH - Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 Substitution Injection, Solution [US Product Label]. Zoetis Inc.; 2016. (cited on the adjacent Vetstarch dosage entry; the Hespan entry quoted here carries no superscript) https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=070b8778-1e05-4ca4-99e3-a48f6db270dc — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.653 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Synthetic colloid maintaining intravascular oncotic pressure. Larger molecular weight than crystalloids providing longer intravascular duration (24 hours).
Coagulopathy risk (dilution and direct effect on vWF/Factor VIII). Acute kidney injury risk in critically ill. Max dose 20ml/kg/day in dogs. Not recommended in cats. Falling out of favor.
Species references:All Dog (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Hetastarch CRI dose rule from the ExoticRx formulary. Verify against current literature before clinical use; CRI rates differ from bolus dosing and route, dilution, and monitoring matter. Sign in for the complete per-species CRI protocol set.
| Species | Route | Rate | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 5–20 ml/kgIV bolus or CRI | Hypovolemic shock, hypoalbuminemia | Moderate | VETSTARCH - Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 Substitution Injection, Solution [US Product Label]. Zoetis Inc.; 2016. (cited on the adjacent Vetstarch dosage entry; the Hespan entry quoted here carries no superscript) https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=070b8778-1e05-4ca4-99e3-a48f6db270dc — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.653 (2026-08-01). |
Hypovolemic shock, hypoalbuminemia
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 1 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) | IV | 5–20 ml/kg | IV bolus or CRI | Moderate | VETSTARCH - Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 Substitution Injection, Solution [US Product Label]. Zoetis Inc.; 2016. (cited on the adjacent Vetstarch dosage entry; the Hespan entry quoted here carries no superscript) https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=070b8778-1e05-4ca4-99e3-a48f6db270dc — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.653 (2026-08-01). |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.