# Dopamine: veterinary dose and monograph

> Dopamine is a veterinary cardiovascular drug. Endogenous catecholamine and the precursor of noradrenaline, given as an IV constant-rate infusion (mcg/kg/MINUTE) for cardiovascular support — its effects are DOSE-DEPENDENT: lower rates favour β1 inotropy and (historically claimed)… Indications include hypotension / shock unresponsive to fluid resuscitation (pressor support); inotropic + vasopressor support in critical illness/anaesthesia; bradycardia with hypotension (chronotropic/pressor support). This monograph lists 3 reference doses for dogs, cats and horses, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/dopamine · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## 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

*Dopamine doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inotrope / pressor (CRI) | 2–10 µg/kg/min | IV | CRI, titrated | — |

- 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

*Dopamine doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inotrope / pressor (CRI) | 2–10 µg/kg/min | IV | CRI, titrated | — |

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

### Horses

*Dopamine doses for horses*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inotrope / pressor (CRI) | 1–5 µg/kg/min | IV | CRI, titrated | — |

- 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

> **Caution:** 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

### What is the dose of Dopamine for dogs?

Reference doses for Dopamine in dogs: 2–10 µg/kg/min IV CRI, titrated (Inotrope / pressor (CRI)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Dopamine for cats?

Reference doses for Dopamine in cats: 2–10 µg/kg/min IV CRI, titrated (Inotrope / pressor (CRI)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Dopamine for horses?

Reference doses for Dopamine in horses: 1–5 µg/kg/min IV CRI, titrated (Inotrope / pressor (CRI)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Dopamine not be used?

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.

### What are the side effects of Dopamine in animals?

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

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

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VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.