Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Nitroprusside is dosed at 1–5 mcg/kg/min IV CRI (continuous rate infusion) in dogs, per Sumner C, Rozanski E. Management of Respiratory Emergencies in Small Animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43(4):799-815. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2013.03.005 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.968 (2026-08-01).. Nitroprusside is used in dogs for Acute severe heart failure, hypertensive crisis. Routes documented in dogs: IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Nitroprusside in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Nipride
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 1–5 mcg/kg/min | CRI (continuous rate infusion) | Until stabilized | Acute severe heart failure, hypertensive crisis | Moderate | Sumner C, Rozanski E. Management of Respiratory Emergencies in Small Animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43(4):799-815. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2013.03.005 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.968 (2026-08-01). |
One of the cited rules is a continuous-rate-infusion regimen: IV 1–5 mcg/kg/min CRI (continuous rate infusion). 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.
Releases nitric oxide, activating guanylyl cyclase in vascular smooth muscle, causing vasodilation of both arteries and veins.
ICU drug — continuous IV infusion with arterial blood pressure monitoring required. Cyanide toxicity risk with prolonged use (>48h). Light-sensitive — wrap in foil. Immediate onset, very short duration.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Nitroprusside dose range in dogs, with cited source references: IV 1–5 mcg/kg/min CRI (continuous rate infusion). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Nitroprusside in dogs: IV.
Cited course lengths for Nitroprusside in dogs include: Until stabilized. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Nitroprusside is indicated in dogs for: Acute severe heart failure, hypertensive crisis.
These are general warnings for Nitroprusside across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. ICU drug — continuous IV infusion with arterial blood pressure monitoring required. Cyanide toxicity risk with prolonged use (>48h). Light-sensitive — wrap in foil. Immediate onset, very short duration.
Why a species-specific page? Nitroprusside 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.