# Salbutamol (Albuterol): veterinary dose and monograph

> Salbutamol (Albuterol) is a veterinary drug. Short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist bronchodilator — the rescue reliever for acute bronchoconstriction in feline asthma and canine/equine lower-airway disease. Indications include acute bronchospasm / asthma crisis (rescue) — feline asthma especially; canine chronic bronchitis with reversible bronchoconstriction; equine recurrent airway obstruction / inflammatory airway disease (bronchodilation). This monograph lists 5 reference doses for dogs, cats and horses, each with route, frequency and source.

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

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Veterinary drug
- **Also known as:** Albuterol, Ventolin, Asthalin, Salbutamol sulphate
- **Species with doses:** Dogs, Cats and Horses
- **Routes:** Inhaled, PO
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Acute bronchospasm / asthma crisis (rescue) — feline asthma especially
- Canine chronic bronchitis with reversible bronchoconstriction
- Equine recurrent airway obstruction / inflammatory airway disease (bronchodilation)
- Pre-treatment before inhaled corticosteroid to improve drug delivery

## Salbutamol (Albuterol) 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

*Salbutamol (Albuterol) doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bronchodilation (oral) | 0.02–0.05 mg/kg (20–50 µg/kg) PO q8–12h | PO | q8–12h | — |
| Bronchodilation (nebulised) | 0.5 mL of 0.5% solution in 4 mL saline, nebulised q6h (for a ~27 kg dog) | Inhaled | q6h | — |

- Bronchodilation (oral): Plumb’s p.45: 0.05 mg/kg PO q8h (Johnson 2000); 0.02 mg/kg q12h for 5 days, then 0.05 mg/kg q8–12h if needed (Church 2003). Older references citing 50 mg/kg are a gross overdose — ignore. Papich 5e: 20–50 µg/kg q6–8h PO, maximum 100 µg/kg q6h.
- Bronchodilation (nebulised): Plumb’s p.45 (McConnell & Hughey 1992): based on a 60 lb dog. MDI via spacer can also be used.

### Cats

*Salbutamol (Albuterol) doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Acute asthma / bronchospasm (rescue, MDI + spacer) | 1 puff (90–100 µg) via spacer and mask as needed; in a crisis every 30 min for 2–4 h | Inhaled | as needed | — |

- Acute asthma / bronchospasm (rescue, MDI + spacer): Plumb’s p.45: one puff as needed with inhaled fluticasone for mild–moderate asthma; severe crisis — oxygen, IV glucocorticoid and one puff every 30 min (Dowling 2003); intermittent signs two puffs twice daily, effect in 5–10 min (Padrid 2006). Reliever, not controller.

### Horses

*Salbutamol (Albuterol) doses for horses*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Equine asthma — rescue bronchodilation (inhaled) | 360 µg (4 puffs of a 90 µg MDI) via equine spacer/mask; up to 4 times daily | Inhaled | q4–6h as needed | — |
| Foals — oral bronchodilation | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg PO q8–12h | PO | q8–12h | — |

- Equine asthma — rescue bronchodilation (inhaled): Papich 5e: 360 µg per horse up to four times daily. Plumb’s p.45: 360 µg, repeatable every 15 min for up to 2 h in severe obstruction, then q4–6h (Davis & Rush); 0.8–3 µg/kg by inhalation (Foreman; Lavoie). Tolerance develops if used alone — combine with inhaled corticosteroid. ARCI Class 3.
- Foals — oral bronchodilation: Papich 5e: foals 0.01–0.02 mg/kg q8–12h PO.

## Contraindications

Use as sole long-term therapy for inflammatory airway disease (no anti-inflammatory effect; over-reliance signals poor control). Significant tachyarrhythmia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy/cardiac disease (beta effects), and hypokalaemia. Caution with overuse (the racemic S-enantiomer may worsen airway inflammation with chronic frequent use). Known hypersensitivity.

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Cats: Use as rescue only — pair with inhaled corticosteroid (e.g. fluticasone) for control. Over-reliance on salbutamol indicates inadequately treated airway inflammation.

> **Caution:** Dogs: A chewed/punctured albuterol inhaler delivers a massive dose — life-threatening tachyarrhythmia and hypokalaemia; treat as an emergency.

## Adverse effects

- Tremor, restlessness/agitation
- Tachycardia, arrhythmia
- Hypokalaemia (especially with overuse or systemic dosing)
- Worsening airway inflammation with chronic frequent (racemic) use
- Hyperglycaemia (high systemic doses)

## Drug interactions

- Beta-blockers (e.g. propranolol/sotalol): antagonise bronchodilation — avoid in airway patients
- Other sympathomimetics: additive cardiac/tremor effects
- Potassium-lowering drugs (diuretics, corticosteroids): additive hypokalaemia
- Tricyclic/MAOI: potentiated cardiovascular effects

## Pregnancy and lactation

Inhaled use gives low systemic exposure and is generally considered acceptable when bronchodilation is needed; high systemic doses can affect uterine tone.

## Monitoring

- Respiratory rate/effort and response to the reliever
- Heart rate/rhythm with frequent or systemic use
- Serum potassium with overdose or heavy use
- Frequency of rescue use — escalating need means inadequate anti-inflammatory control

## Toxicity and overdose

Overdose (commonly from a dog chewing/puncturing an MDI canister, which releases a large rapid dose) causes marked tachycardia/arrhythmia, severe tremor, agitation, and pronounced HYPOKALAEMIA — a genuine emergency. Systemic overdose mirrors beta-agonist excess.

Management: No specific antidote. Treat hypokalaemia (IV potassium with ECG monitoring) and tachyarrhythmia (a cardioselective beta-blocker, e.g. esmolol/propranolol, cautiously if airway disease allows) — beta-blockade also counters tremor/tachycardia. IV fluids and supportive/monitored care; effects resolve over hours. Inhaler-puncture cases often need overnight ECG/electrolyte monitoring.

## Clinical pearls

- It is a RELIEVER, not a controller — every asthmatic cat on salbutamol also needs an inhaled (or systemic) corticosteroid for the underlying inflammation
- Deliver by MDI + spacer + snug mask (e.g. AeroKat-type chamber) for fast, low-side-effect bronchodilation
- Rising rescue-inhaler use is a red flag for poor control — step up anti-inflammatory therapy
- Watch for the classic emergency: a dog that chews an albuterol inhaler — expect tachycardia and dangerous hypokalaemia
- Avoid chronic frequent racemic salbutamol; over-use can paradoxically worsen airway inflammation

## Mechanism of action

Selective beta-2 adrenoceptor agonist. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors on airway smooth muscle activates adenylate cyclase, raising intracellular cAMP, which relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and reverses bronchoconstriction within minutes. It also stabilises some mast-cell mediator release. Beta-2 effects elsewhere (skeletal muscle, heart, potassium shift) account for tremor, tachycardia and hypokalaemia.

## Formulations and products

- Metered-dose inhaler 100 mcg/puff
- Nebuliser solution 5 mg/mL
- Syrup 2 mg/5 mL (0.4 mg/mL)
- 2 / 4 mg tablet
- Asthalin — 100 mcg/puff MDI; 5 mg/mL respules; 2 mg/5 mL syrup, Inhaler / nebuliser / syrup (human-label)
- Ventolin / Levolin — 100 mcg/puff MDI; 2 / 4 mg tablet, Inhaler / tablet (human-label)

## Storage

MDI canisters: 15–30 °C, do not puncture or incinerate (pressurised); keep away from pets that may chew them. Nebuliser solution/syrup/tablets: 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 Salbutamol (Albuterol) for dogs?

Reference doses for Salbutamol (Albuterol) in dogs: 0.02–0.05 mg/kg (20–50 µg/kg) PO q8–12h PO q8–12h (Bronchodilation (oral)); 0.5 mL of 0.5% solution in 4 mL saline, nebulised q6h (for a ~27 kg dog) Inhaled q6h (Bronchodilation (nebulised)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Salbutamol (Albuterol) for cats?

Reference doses for Salbutamol (Albuterol) in cats: 1 puff (90–100 µg) via spacer and mask as needed; in a crisis every 30 min for 2–4 h Inhaled as needed (Acute asthma / bronchospasm (rescue, MDI + spacer)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Salbutamol (Albuterol) for horses?

Reference doses for Salbutamol (Albuterol) in horses: 360 µg (4 puffs of a 90 µg MDI) via equine spacer/mask; up to 4 times daily Inhaled q4–6h as needed (Equine asthma — rescue bronchodilation (inhaled)); 0.01–0.02 mg/kg PO q8–12h PO q8–12h (Foals — oral bronchodilation). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Salbutamol (Albuterol) not be used?

Use as sole long-term therapy for inflammatory airway disease (no anti-inflammatory effect; over-reliance signals poor control). Significant tachyarrhythmia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy/cardiac disease (beta effects), and hypokalaemia. Caution with overuse (the racemic S-enantiomer may worsen airway inflammation with chronic frequent use). Known hypersensitivity.

### What are the side effects of Salbutamol (Albuterol) in animals?

Tremor, restlessness/agitation; Tachycardia, arrhythmia; Hypokalaemia (especially with overuse or systemic dosing); Worsening airway inflammation with chronic frequent (racemic) use; Hyperglycaemia (high systemic doses).

## 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.