# Propranolol: veterinary dose and monograph

> Propranolol is a veterinary cardiovascular drug. Non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker (β1 + β2) used for supraventricular and some ventricular tachyarrhythmias, rate control, systemic hypertension, dynamic outflow obstruction in feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and as an adjunct in… Indications include supraventricular tachycardia / rate control; feline HCM with dynamic LV outflow obstruction; systemic hypertension (adjunct). This monograph lists 6 reference doses for dogs, cats, horses and ferrets, each with route, frequency and source.

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

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Cardiovascular
- **Also known as:** Inderal, Ciplar, Provanol
- **Species with doses:** Dogs, Cats, Horses and Ferrets
- **General dose range:** 0.2–1 mg/kg PO q8h — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** PO, IV
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Supraventricular tachycardia / rate control
- Feline HCM with dynamic LV outflow obstruction
- Systemic hypertension (adjunct)
- Hyperthyroidism — control tachycardia/tremor pending definitive therapy
- Some ventricular arrhythmias (catecholamine-driven)

## Propranolol 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

*Propranolol doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arrhythmia / hypertension | 0.2–1 mg/kg | PO | q8h | — |
| Acute rate control (IV, in-hospital) | 0.02–0.06 mg/kg | IV | slow IV to effect | — |

- Arrhythmia / hypertension: Papich 5e: 0.2–1 mg/kg q8h PO, titrated. Plumb’s p.1020: start 0.1–0.2 mg/kg q8h, up to 1.5 mg/kg q8h (Ware 2000); heart failure adjunct 0.1–0.2 mg/kg q8h (Fox). Do not stop abruptly; avoid in bronchospasm.
- Acute rate control (IV, in-hospital): Papich 5e: 20–60 µg/kg IV over 5–10 min, titrated. Plumb’s p.1020: 0.02 mg/kg IV slowly, up to 0.1 mg/kg (Ware). ECG monitoring.

### Cats

*Propranolol doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| HCM / hyperthyroid tachycardia (per cat) | 0.4–1.2 mg/kg | PO | q8h | — |

- HCM / hyperthyroid tachycardia (per cat): Papich 5e: 0.4–1.2 mg/kg (2.5–5 mg per cat) q8h PO. Plumb’s p.1020: 2.5 mg (up to 10 mg) per cat q8–12h (Ware; Fox); hypertension 2.5–5 mg q8–12h; hyperthyroid adjunct 2 mg/kg (6.25 mg per cat) once daily.

### Horses

*Propranolol doses for horses*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ventricular tachycardia (oral) | 0.3–0.8 mg/kg | PO | q8h | — |
| Ventricular tachycardia (IV) | 0.03–0.16 mg/kg | IV | slowly; may repeat in 6–8 h | — |

- Ventricular tachycardia (oral): Papich 5e: 0.4–0.8 mg/kg q8h PO. Plumb’s p.1020 (Kimberly & McGurrin 2006): 0.3–0.7 mg/kg PO q8h — less effective than lidocaine; bradycardia, AV block and bronchoconstriction possible. ARCI Class 3.
- Ventricular tachycardia (IV): Plumb’s p.1020: 0.03–0.15 mg/kg IV (Kimberly) or 0.05–0.16 mg/kg IV (Mogg 1999). Papich 5e: 0.1 mg/kg IV slowly, repeat in 6–8 h; if ineffective 0.5 mg/kg, increasing gradually toward 2 mg/kg. Negative inotrope.

### Ferrets

*Propranolol doses for ferrets*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy | 0.2–1 mg/kg | PO | q8–12h | — |

- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Carpenter's 6th ed (Ferret cardiopulmonary table): 0.2–1 mg/kg PO q8–12h — β-blocker for HCM; may cause lethargy and inappetence. Plumb’s p.1020: 0.5–2 mg/kg PO or SC once or twice daily (Williams 2000); 0.2–2 mg/kg PO q8–12h (Heatley 2009).

## Contraindications

Decompensated congestive heart failure, significant bradyarrhythmia / high-grade AV block, bronchospastic disease/asthma (β2 blockade), and hypotension. Diabetes (masks hypoglycaemia). Abrupt withdrawal (rebound). Concurrent strong negative chronotropes. Known hypersensitivity.

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Cats: Useful in HCM/hyperthyroidism but avoid in cats with concurrent asthma (bronchospasm) and in decompensated heart failure.

## Adverse effects

- Bradycardia, hypotension, lethargy
- Negative inotropy — can worsen heart failure
- Bronchoconstriction (non-selective)
- Masks signs of hypoglycaemia (diabetics)
- GI upset

## Drug interactions

- Calcium-channel blockers (diltiazem/verapamil): additive bradycardia/AV block/myocardial depression
- Other negative chronotropes (digoxin): additive AV slowing
- Sympathomimetics (terbutaline/salbutamol): mutual antagonism (avoid in airway patients)
- Insulin/oral hypoglycaemics: masks hypoglycaemia signs

## Pregnancy and lactation

Beta-blockers may cause fetal bradycardia/growth effects; use only if maternal benefit outweighs risk.

## Monitoring

- Heart rate, rhythm (ECG), blood pressure
- Respiratory status (bronchospasm)
- Signs of worsening CHF
- Blood glucose in diabetics; taper to discontinue

## Toxicity and overdose

Overdose: profound bradycardia, AV block, hypotension, heart failure, bronchospasm, hypoglycaemia and CNS depression/seizures (lipophilic — crosses BBB). Potentially life-threatening; non-selective blockade adds bronchospasm risk.

Management: GLUCAGON is the key antidote for beta-blocker overdose (bypasses the β-receptor to raise cAMP — supports rate/contractility); plus atropine, IV fluids, high-dose catecholamines, and consider high-dose insulin-euglycaemia therapy and IV lipid emulsion for refractory cases. Treat bronchospasm and hypoglycaemia; continuous ECG.

## Clinical pearls

- Non-selective β-blocker — useful for SVT, feline HCM and hyperthyroid tachycardia, but its β2 blockade risks bronchospasm (prefer atenolol for routine cardiac use)
- A practical adjunct in hyperthyroid cats/dogs to control tachycardia and tremor while definitive therapy works
- Glucagon is the antidote in overdose — keep that in mind for β-blocker toxicity
- Never stop abruptly (rebound tachycardia/hypertension); avoid in decompensated CHF and asthma

## Mechanism of action

Competitively blocks β1 (cardiac) and β2 (bronchial/vascular) adrenoceptors. β1 blockade slows sinus rate and AV conduction, reduces myocardial contractility and oxygen demand, and lowers blood pressure/renin; in HCM it relieves catecholamine-driven dynamic outflow obstruction. β2 blockade causes the bronchoconstriction and masking of hypoglycaemia that limit its non-cardiac safety.

## Formulations and products

- 10 mg tablet
- 20 / 40 mg tablet
- Injection 1 mg/mL
- Ciplar — 10 / 20 / 40 mg tablet; LA capsules, Tablet / LA capsule (human-label)
- Inderal — 10 / 40 mg tablet, Tablet (human-label)

## Storage

Tablets/injection: 15–30 °C, protect from light.

## 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 Propranolol for dogs?

Reference doses for Propranolol in dogs: 0.2–1 mg/kg PO q8h (Arrhythmia / hypertension); 0.02–0.06 mg/kg IV slow IV to effect (Acute rate control (IV, in-hospital)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

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

Reference doses for Propranolol in cats: 0.4–1.2 mg/kg PO q8h (HCM / hyperthyroid tachycardia (per cat)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

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

Reference doses for Propranolol in horses: 0.3–0.8 mg/kg PO q8h (Ventricular tachycardia (oral)); 0.03–0.16 mg/kg IV slowly; may repeat in 6–8 h (Ventricular tachycardia (IV)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Propranolol not be used?

Decompensated congestive heart failure, significant bradyarrhythmia / high-grade AV block, bronchospastic disease/asthma (β2 blockade), and hypotension. Diabetes (masks hypoglycaemia). Abrupt withdrawal (rebound). Concurrent strong negative chronotropes. Known hypersensitivity.

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

Bradycardia, hypotension, lethargy; Negative inotropy — can worsen heart failure; Bronchoconstriction (non-selective); Masks signs of hypoglycaemia (diabetics); GI upset.

## Sources

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

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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.