Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg
Pimobendan is dosed at 0.1–0.3 mg/kg PO q12-24h in rabbits, per Fitzgerald BC, Dias S, Martorell J. Cardiovascular drugs in avian, small animal and reptile medicine. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract: Therapeutics. 2018;21:399-442. | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. | van Zeeland YR.A, Schoemaker NJ. Diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in small mammals. Proc Conf Annu Assoc Exot Mam Vet; 2018:607-616. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.872 doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2018.01.015 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.8 (Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rabbits). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350. Pimobendan is used in rabbits for Dilated cardiomyopathy or valvular disease. Routes documented in rabbits: PO. A typical adult rabbit weighs 1.00–5.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Pimobendan in rabbits, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Vetmedin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.1–0.3 mg/kg | q12-24h | Dilated cardiomyopathy or valvular disease | Moderate | Fitzgerald BC, Dias S, Martorell J. Cardiovascular drugs in avian, small animal and reptile medicine. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract: Therapeutics. 2018;21:399-442. | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. | van Zeeland YR.A, Schoemaker NJ. Diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in small mammals. Proc Conf Annu Assoc Exot Mam Vet; 2018:607-616. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.872 doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2018.01.015 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.8 (Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rabbits). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1–0.3 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.253 | 0.1-0.3 mg/kg p.o. q12-24h |
| 0.1–0.3 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 10.8 | 0.1-0.3 mg/kg PO q12-24h,166,241 0.2-1 mg/kg PO q, 12, or 24h181b mg/kg PO181a |
| 0.2–1 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 10.8 | 0.1-0.3 mg/kg PO q12-24h,166,241 0.2-1 mg/kg PO q, 12, or 24h181b mg/kg PO181a |
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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Dual mechanism: inhibits phosphodiesterase III (vasodilation) and sensitizes cardiac troponin C to calcium (positive inotropy without increased oxygen demand).
Give on empty stomach (1 hour before food). Contraindicated in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and aortic stenosis. Monitor for arrhythmias. Standard of care for canine DCM and MMVD (stage B2+).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for rabbits may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Pimobendan dose range in rabbits, with cited source references: PO 0.1–0.3 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Pimobendan in rabbits: PO.
Pimobendan is indicated in rabbits for: Dilated cardiomyopathy or valvular disease.
These are general warnings for Pimobendan across species; consult the rabbit dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Give on empty stomach (1 hour before food). Contraindicated in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and aortic stenosis. Monitor for arrhythmias. Standard of care for canine DCM and MMVD (stage B2+).
Why a species-specific page? Pimobendan pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in rabbits — 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.