Dopamine: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Cardiovascular

Also known as

Intropin, Dopacard

Species with doses

Dogs, Cats and Horses

Routes

IV

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Hypotension / shock unresponsive to fluid resuscitation (pressor support)
• Inotropic + vasopressor support in critical illness/anaesthesia
• Bradycardia with hypotension (chronotropic/pressor support)
• Maintenance of perfusion pressure (with appropriate volume status)

Dopamine 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

• Inotrope / pressor (CRI): Papich 5e: 2–10 µg/kg/min — 0.5–2 vasodilatory (D1), 2–10 inotropic (β1), above 10 vasoconstriction (α). Plumb’s p.438: acute heart failure 1–10 µg/kg/min starting at 2 (Kittleson); shock after volume replacement 1–10 (Haskins; Plunkett). Not a substitute for fluids; low-dose use for oliguric renal failure is no longer supported.

Cats

• Inotrope / pressor (CRI): Papich 5e (dogs and cats): 2–10 µg/kg/min, dose rate by desired effect. Monitor ECG for arrhythmias.

Horses

• Inotrope / pressor (CRI): Papich 5e: horses and cattle 1–5 µg/kg/min IV infusion.

Contraindications

Uncorrected hypovolaemia (give fluids first). Tachyarrhythmias / pheochromocytoma. Extravasation risk (causes severe local vasoconstriction/necrosis — use a reliable, ideally central, line). Never as a bolus or undiluted. Known hypersensitivity.

Adverse effects

• Tachycardia and tachyarrhythmias
• Excessive vasoconstriction/hypertension at high rates
• Tissue necrosis if extravasated (potent local vasoconstriction)
• Increased myocardial oxygen demand; nausea/vomiting

Drug interactions

• MAO inhibitors / selegiline: greatly potentiated and prolonged pressor effect (reduce dose drastically)
• Beta-blockers: unopposed alpha vasoconstriction
• Halothane/some anaesthetics: increased arrhythmogenicity
• Phenytoin: hypotension/bradycardia reported
• Incompatible with alkaline solutions (bicarbonate) in the line

Pregnancy and lactation

Used in critical maternal hypotension when needed; limited specific data. Maternal perfusion is the priority.

Monitoring

• Continuous blood pressure and ECG (arrhythmias)
• Perfusion markers (lactate, urine output, mucous membranes)
• IV catheter site (extravasation — prefer central line)
• Volume status (correct hypovolaemia first); infusion rate via pump

Toxicity and overdose

Excessive rates cause tachyarrhythmia, severe hypertension, myocardial ischaemia and peripheral/organ ischaemia from over-vasoconstriction. Extravasation produces local tissue necrosis. Effects reverse quickly when the rate is reduced (very short half-life).

Management: Reduce or stop the infusion (rapid resolution). For severe hypertension/vasoconstriction, a short-acting alpha-blocker (e.g. phentolamine) can be used, including local infiltration of phentolamine at an extravasation site. Treat arrhythmias; continuous ECG/BP monitoring.

Clinical pearls

• Dose-dependent pressor/inotrope: low rates for inotropy, high rates for vasopressor effect — always titrate to blood pressure/perfusion
• CRI ONLY in mcg/kg/min via a pump; fix hypovolaemia before reaching for dopamine
• Beware extravasation — it causes tissue necrosis; phentolamine infiltration is the rescue, and a central line is safer
• The "renal-protective low-dose dopamine" idea is largely discredited — don't rely on it for kidneys
• Drastically reduce the dose if the patient is on an MAOI/selegiline (potentiated, prolonged effect)

Mechanism of action

A catecholamine with dose-dependent receptor activity: at low infusion rates it stimulates dopaminergic (DA1) receptors (renal/mesenteric/coronary vasodilation — clinical benefit now questioned) and β1 receptors (positive inotropy/chronotropy); at higher rates α1-adrenergic vasoconstriction predominates, raising systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure. It also promotes noradrenaline release. The overlapping, rate-dependent effects make titration essential.

Formulations and products

• Injection 40 mg/mL (200 mg/5 mL ampoule)
• Dopamine (Intropin) — 40 mg/mL (200 mg/5 mL) ampoule, Injection (CRI) (human-label)

Storage

Ampoules: 15–30 °C, protect from light. Dilute for infusion; discard if discoloured (darker than light yellow). Use within 24 h of dilution.

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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• Digoxin
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• Dobutamine
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• Metoprolol

Frequently asked questions