Deferoxamine (Desferrioxamine): veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Veterinary drug

Also known as

Desferal, DFO, Desferrioxamine mesylate

Species with doses

Dogs and Cats

General dose range

10–15 mg/kg IV q4–8h (or CRI) per toxicosis protocol — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

IV, IM

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Acute iron toxicosis — supplement/multivitamin over-ingestion or iron-injection overdose
• Serious iron overload where free iron is elevated (early treatment)
• Aluminium toxicity/overload (niche)

Deferoxamine (Desferrioxamine) dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

Dogs

• Iron toxicosis — CRI (preferred): Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.355 (Greentree & Hall): 15 mg/kg/h IV infusion, started within 12 h if possible; faster infusion may cause arrhythmias or hypotension. Continue until serum iron is below 300 µg/dL or below TIBC, or the urine loses its pink (vin rosé) colour. Watch for GI obstruction 4–6 weeks later.
• Iron toxicosis — intermittent: Papich 5e: 40 mg/kg IM q4–6h or slow IV q4–6h. Plumb’s p.355: 40 mg/kg IM q4–8h — IM preferred because rapid IV causes hypotension and pulmonary oedema (Wismer); 10 mg/kg IM or IV q8h for 24 h (Firth).

Cats

• Iron toxicosis — CRI: Papich 5e (dogs and cats): 15 mg/kg/h IV infusion, or 40 mg/kg IM or slow IV q4–6h. Plumb’s notes that cat doses are not well established. Monitor blood pressure and renal function.

Contraindications

Anuria / severe renal failure (the ferrioxamine complex is renally excreted). Rapid IV bolus (hypotension, anaphylactoid reaction). Known hypersensitivity. Not for chronic use beyond the toxic phase (ocular/auditory/pulmonary toxicity with prolonged high-dose therapy). Reduce/monitor in renal impairment.

Adverse effects

• Hypotension / anaphylactoid reaction with rapid IV infusion
• Reddish-brown ("vin rosé") urine (harmless — indicates iron chelation)
• Nephrotoxicity/renal effects; injection-site reaction
• Ocular/auditory/pulmonary toxicity and infection risk (Yersinia) with prolonged high-dose use

Drug interactions

• Prochlorperazine and other phenothiazines: reported neurotoxicity/loss of consciousness with concurrent use
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): increases iron mobilisation/availability for chelation (used cautiously — can worsen cardiotoxicity if given early)
• Nephrotoxins: additive renal risk

Pregnancy and lactation

Used in serious iron toxicosis when needed (benefit outweighs risk); limited routine data.

Monitoring

• Serum iron / total iron-binding capacity and clinical stage (guide start/stop of chelation)
• Urine colour ("vin rosé" indicates active chelation; clearing suggests free iron falling)
• Blood pressure during infusion (hypotension); renal function
• With prolonged use: ocular/auditory/pulmonary surveillance

Toxicity and overdose

Acute: hypotension and anaphylactoid reactions from rapid IV infusion; the reddish urine is expected (not toxic). Prolonged/high-dose therapy risks ocular and auditory toxicity, pulmonary (ARDS-type) effects, renal impairment, and increased susceptibility to certain infections (Yersinia). Accumulation of the ferrioxamine complex in renal failure is a concern.

Management: Slow/stop the infusion for hypotension/anaphylactoid reactions; supportive care (fluids). Limit duration to the toxic phase (avoid prolonged high-dose exposure). Monitor renal function and, with long use, ocular/auditory/pulmonary status. Haemodialysis can remove the ferrioxamine complex in renal failure.

Clinical pearls

• THE antidote for iron poisoning — chelates the FREE (toxic) iron; give it EARLY (guided by serum iron/clinical stage) for over-ingested iron supplements or iron-injection overdose
• Infuse SLOWLY IV (rapid injection causes hypotension); the reddish "vin rosé" urine is the expected sign that it is working
• Stop once free iron/clinical signs resolve — prolonged high-dose use has its own ocular/auditory/pulmonary toxicities
• Pair with standard poisoning care (GI decontamination, fluids); avoid in anuric renal failure

Mechanism of action

Deferoxamine is a hexadentate iron-chelator that avidly binds FREE ferric iron (and iron loosely bound to ferritin/haemosiderin, but NOT iron in haemoglobin/cytochromes/transferrin), forming the stable, water-soluble complex ferrioxamine that is excreted by the kidneys. By mopping up the free, catalytically-toxic iron that drives oxidative tissue and cardiovascular injury in iron poisoning, it limits ongoing damage. Its selectivity for free (not functionally-bound) iron underlies its therapeutic value.

Formulations and products

• Injection 500 mg / 2 g vial (reconstitute)
• Desferal — 500 mg / 2 g vial, Injection (reconstitute) (human-label)

Storage

Vials: 15–30 °C; reconstitute per label and use promptly. Protect from light.

Before you use this dose

Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

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Frequently asked questions