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 Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Nitroprusside monograph, Dosages, printed p.941 (corpus PDF p.968). Figure source - Papich MG, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, printed p.571 - "Dogs and Cats - 1-5 mcg/kg/min IV, up to a maximum of 10 mcg/kg/min. Generally, start with 2 […]" [CORRECTED - plumb printed p.939 carries NITROGLYCERIN dosages, the alphabetical neighbour.]. 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 | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Nitroprusside monograph, Dosages, printed p.941 (corpus PDF p.968). Figure source - Papich MG, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, printed p.571 - "Dogs and Cats - 1-5 mcg/kg/min IV, up to a maximum of 10 mcg/kg/min. Generally, start with 2 […]" [CORRECTED - plumb printed p.939 carries NITROGLYCERIN dosages, the alphabetical neighbour.] |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mcg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.599 | • 1-5 mcg/kg/min IV, up to a maximum of 10 mcg/kg/min. Generally, start with |
| 10 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.599 | • 1-5 mcg/kg/min IV, up to a maximum of 10 mcg/kg/min. Generally, start with |
| 2 | — | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.599 | 2 mcg/kg/min and increase gradually by 1 mcg/kg/min until desired blood |
| 1 | — | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.599 | 2 mcg/kg/min and increase gradually by 1 mcg/kg/min until desired blood |
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.
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.