Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Norepinephrine is dosed at 0.1–1 mcg/kg/min IV CRI in dogs, per Craig CA, Haskins SC, Hildebrand SV. The cardiopulmonary effects of dobutamine and norepinephrine in isoflurane-anesthetized foals. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2007;34(6):377-387. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2995.2006.00304.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.971 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.943, Norepinephrine monograph spanning p.943-944; 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. Norepinephrine is used in dogs for Persistent, profound hypotension (incl. septic shock) AFTER adequate fluid volume replacement (extra-label), Refractory hypotension, septic shock. Routes documented in dogs: IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Norepinephrine in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Levophed
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.1–1 mcg/kg/min | CRI | Until hemodynamically stable | Persistent, profound hypotension (incl. septic shock) AFTER adequate fluid volume replacement (extra-label) | Strong | Craig CA, Haskins SC, Hildebrand SV. The cardiopulmonary effects of dobutamine and norepinephrine in isoflurane-anesthetized foals. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2007;34(6):377-387. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2995.2006.00304.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.971 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.943, Norepinephrine monograph spanning p.943-944; 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 |
| IV | 0.05–2 mcg/kg/min | CRI | Until hemodynamically stable | Refractory hypotension, septic shock | Strong | Licht N, Rozanski EA, Rush JE. Vasopressor use in 41 critically ill cats (2007-2016). Canadian Veterinary Journal-Revue Veterinaire Canadienne. 2018;59:1175-1180. PMID: 30410173; Skelding AM, Valverde A. Sympathomimetics in veterinary species under anesthesia. Vet J. 2020;258:9. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105455 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.971 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.943, Norepinephrine monograph spanning p.943-944; 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 | ORIGINAL SOURCE THE BOOK CITES (2026-08-20): the dose row carries superscript 14 — "0.05 mg/kg IV once14 * De.1)pre..-,: Opioids may increase the risk for" — which resolves in the monograph's own reference list to: Valverde A, Giguere S, Sanchez LC, Shih A, Ryan C. Effects of dobutamine, norepinephrine, and vasopressin on cardiovascular function in anesthetized neonatal foals with induced hypotension. Am J Vet Res. 2006;67(10):1730-1737. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. This records what the handbook attributes the figure to. It is NOT a statement that the reference was read or that it validates the dose. |
2 of the cited rules are continuous-rate-infusion regimens: IV 0.1–1 mcg/kg/min CRI; IV 0.05–2 mcg/kg/min 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.
Potent alpha-1 and beta-1 adrenergic agonist with minimal beta-2 activity. Causes vasoconstriction (alpha-1) and increased cardiac contractility (beta-1).
First-line vasopressor for septic shock. IV CRI only. Tissue necrosis with extravasation — use central line if possible. Arrhythmogenic. Monitor blood pressure and perfusion parameters.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Norepinephrine dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: IV 0.1–1 mcg/kg/min CRI; IV 0.05–2 mcg/kg/min CRI. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Norepinephrine in dogs: IV.
Cited course lengths for Norepinephrine in dogs include: Until hemodynamically stable. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Norepinephrine is indicated in dogs for: Persistent, profound hypotension (incl. septic shock) AFTER adequate fluid volume replacement (extra-label), Refractory hypotension, septic shock.
These are general warnings for Norepinephrine across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. First-line vasopressor for septic shock. IV CRI only. Tissue necrosis with extravasation — use central line if possible. Arrhythmogenic. Monitor blood pressure and perfusion parameters.
Why a species-specific page? Norepinephrine 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.