Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
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).. Hetastarch is used in dogs for Hypovolemic shock, hypoalbuminemia. Routes documented in dogs: IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Hetastarch in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Hextend, Hespan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 5–20 ml/kg | IV bolus or CRI | Until hemodynamically stable | 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). |
One of the cited rules is a continuous-rate-infusion regimen: IV 5–20 ml/kg IV bolus or CRI. CRI regimens are delivered as a continuous infusion rather than discrete doses — verify the rate against the cited source before use.
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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.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Hetastarch dose range in dogs, with cited source references: IV 5–20 ml/kg IV bolus or CRI. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Hetastarch in dogs: IV.
Cited course lengths for Hetastarch in dogs include: Until hemodynamically stable. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Hetastarch is indicated in dogs for: Hypovolemic shock, hypoalbuminemia.
These are general warnings for Hetastarch across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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.
Why a species-specific page? Hetastarch 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.