Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Metoprolol is dosed at 0.2–1 mg/kg PO q8-12h in dogs, per Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.899 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.870, Metoprolol monograph spanning p.870-872; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Metoprolol is used in dogs for Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias - adjunctive heart rate control in atrial fibrillation (extra-label). Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Metoprolol in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Lopressor, Toprol-XL
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.2–1 mg/kg | q8-12h | Long-term; titrate slowly upward over 2-4 weeks | Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias - adjunctive heart rate control in atrial fibrillation (extra-label) | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.899 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.870, Metoprolol monograph spanning p.870-872; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — 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.
| Dose (mg/animal) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–50 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.551 | • 5-50 mg/dog (0.5-1 mg/kg) q8h PO. • 2-15 mg/cat q8h PO. |
| 2–15 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.551 | • 5-50 mg/dog (0.5-1 mg/kg) q8h PO. • 2-15 mg/cat q8h PO. |
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5–1 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.551 | • 5-50 mg/dog (0.5-1 mg/kg) q8h PO. • 2-15 mg/cat q8h PO. |
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.
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Cardioselective beta-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist that reduces heart rate, contractility, and AV conduction.
Avoid abrupt withdrawal. May worsen heart failure initially. Use cautiously in diabetic patients as it may mask hypoglycemic signs.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Metoprolol dose range in dogs, with cited source references: PO 0.2–1 mg/kg q8-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Metoprolol in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Metoprolol in dogs include: Long-term; titrate slowly upward over 2-4 weeks. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Metoprolol is indicated in dogs for: Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias - adjunctive heart rate control in atrial fibrillation (extra-label).
These are general warnings for Metoprolol across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Avoid abrupt withdrawal. May worsen heart failure initially. Use cautiously in diabetic patients as it may mask hypoglycemic signs.
Why a species-specific page? Metoprolol 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.