Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Terbutaline is dosed at 0.1 mg/kg PO q8-12h in cats, per Papich MG. Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed (2016), Terbutaline monograph, Cats, printed p.767: "0.1 mg/kg q8h PO." (the same block also prints "0.625 mg/cat (one quarter of 2.5-mg tablet) q12h PO"). — PROVENANCE CORRECTED 2026-11-02: this rule previously cited Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Terbutaline monograph p.1213 (it prints the cat oral dose only as 0.625 mg/cat). That source does not print this figure for this species and route; the source above does (read on the page 2026-11-02). Terbutaline is used in cats for Chronic feline asthma maintenance, Bradyarrhythmia - oral positive-chronotropic support (NOT feline asthma), Acute feline asthma exacerbation. Routes documented in cats: PO, SC. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Terbutaline in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Brethine
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.1 mg/kgmax 0.63 mg total | q8-12h | Chronic | Chronic feline asthma maintenance | Moderate | Papich MG. Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed (2016), Terbutaline monograph, Cats, printed p.767: "0.1 mg/kg q8h PO." (the same block also prints "0.625 mg/cat (one quarter of 2.5-mg tablet) q12h PO"). — PROVENANCE CORRECTED 2026-11-02: this rule previously cited Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Terbutaline monograph p.1213 (it prints the cat oral dose only as 0.625 mg/cat). That source does not print this figure for this species and route; the source above does (read on the page 2026-11-02).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | q12h | Chronic for asthma management | Bradyarrhythmia - oral positive-chronotropic support (NOT feline asthma) | Moderate | Riviere JE, Papich MG. Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ch.22 Antiarrhythmic Agents, Table 22.2 - the only retrieved page printing 0.1-0.2 mg/kg PO q12h for catsCompilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| SC | 0.01 mg/kg | PRN | Emergency | Acute feline asthma exacerbation | Moderate | Padrid P. Feline bronchial disease: therapeutic recommendations for the 21st century. Presented at: North American Veterinary Conference; 2000. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1214, Terbutaline monograph spanning p.1213-1214.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–10 | SC | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.767 | • 5-10 mcg/kg (0.005-0.01 mg/kg) q4h SQ or IM. The most common dose in |
| Dose (mg/animal) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.625 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.767 | • 0.625 mg/cat (one quarter of 2.5-mg tablet) q12h PO. |
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your cat's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist. Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, promoting bronchodilation. Also inhibits mast cell mediator release.
Tachycardia, tremors, and restlessness at high doses. Use with caution in animals with cardiac arrhythmias or hyperthyroidism. Monitor heart rate.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Terbutaline dose ranges in cats, with cited source references: PO 0.1 mg/kg q8-12h; PO 0.1–0.2 mg/kg q12h; SC 0.01 mg/kg PRN. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Terbutaline in cats: PO, SC.
Cited course lengths for Terbutaline in cats include: Chronic; Chronic for asthma management; Emergency. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Terbutaline is indicated in cats for: Chronic feline asthma maintenance, Bradyarrhythmia - oral positive-chronotropic support (NOT feline asthma), Acute feline asthma exacerbation.
These are general warnings for Terbutaline across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Tachycardia, tremors, and restlessness at high doses. Use with caution in animals with cardiac arrhythmias or hyperthyroidism. Monitor heart rate.
Why a species-specific page? Terbutaline pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — 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.
| 0.01 |
| IM |
| BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.395 |
| 0.312-1.25 mg/cat p.o. q8-12h, 0.01 mg/kg i.m., s.c., i.v. q4h. |
| 0.1 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.767 | • 0.1 mg/kg q8h PO. |
| 0.005–0.01 | SC | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.767 | • 5-10 mcg/kg (0.005-0.01 mg/kg) q4h SQ or IM. The most common dose in |
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.