Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Nitroglycerin is used in dogs for Acute congestive heart failure (preload reduction), Acute CHF (preload reduction). Routes documented in dogs: Topical. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Nitroglycerin in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Nitro-Bid, Nitrostat, Nitrol, Glyceryl Trinitrate
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topical | Apply 0.5-2 inch (1.3-5 cm) strip to hairless skin (ear pinna, groin) | q12h | 48-72 hours | Acute congestive heart failure (preload reduction) | Moderate | Keene BW, Atkins CE, Bonagura JD, et al. ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33:1127-1140. doi:10.1111/jvim.15488 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.966 (2026-08-01). |
| Topical | Apply to inner pinna or groin | 0.5-2 inch (1.3-5 cm) strip q12h on hairless skin | 48-72h max | Acute CHF (preload reduction) | Moderate | Keene BW, Atkins CE, Bonagura JD, et al. ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33:1127-1140. doi:10.1111/jvim.15488 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.966 (2026-08-01). |
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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.
Releases nitric oxide causing smooth muscle relaxation. Predominantly venodilator reducing preload. Also dilates coronary arteries.
Apply to hairless skin with gloves. Tolerance develops rapidly with continuous use — use 10-12 hour nitrate-free intervals. Monitor blood pressure.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Nitroglycerin dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: Topical Apply 0.5-2 inch (1.3-5 cm) strip to hairless skin (ear pinna, groin) q12h; Topical Apply to inner pinna or groin 0.5-2 inch (1.3-5 cm) strip q12h on hairless skin. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Nitroglycerin in dogs: Topical.
Cited course lengths for Nitroglycerin in dogs include: 48-72 hours; 48-72h max. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Nitroglycerin is indicated in dogs for: Acute congestive heart failure (preload reduction), Acute CHF (preload reduction).
These are general warnings for Nitroglycerin across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Apply to hairless skin with gloves. Tolerance develops rapidly with continuous use — use 10-12 hour nitrate-free intervals. Monitor blood pressure.
Why a species-specific page? Nitroglycerin 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.