# Torsemide (Torasemide): veterinary dose and monograph

> Torsemide (Torasemide) is a veterinary diuretic. Potent loop diuretic — roughly 10–20× as potent as furosemide with a longer duration of action and more consistent oral bioavailability. Indications include furosemide-refractory or advanced congestive heart failure; maintenance diuresis in chronic CHF (convenient once/twice-daily dosing); management of oedema/effusions when a stronger, longer-acting loop diuretic is needed. This monograph lists 3 reference doses for dogs, cats and horses, each with route, frequency and source.

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

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Diuretic
- **Also known as:** Torasemide, Dytor, Demadex
- **Species with doses:** Dogs, Cats and Horses
- **General dose range:** 0.1–0.3 mg/kg PO q12–24h — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** PO
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Furosemide-refractory or advanced congestive heart failure
- Maintenance diuresis in chronic CHF (convenient once/twice-daily dosing)
- Management of oedema/effusions when a stronger, longer-acting loop diuretic is needed

## Torsemide (Torasemide) 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

*Torsemide (Torasemide) doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Refractory/advanced CHF | 0.2–0.3 mg/kg | PO | q12–24h | — |

- Refractory/advanced CHF: Papich 5e: 0.2 mg/kg q12h PO; to switch from furosemide, divide the total daily furosemide dose by 10 and give that twice daily. Plumb’s p.1137: 0.2–0.3 mg/kg q12–24h when other diuretics fail (Rush 2008); 0.2 mg/kg once to three times daily (Atkins 2008). Monitor renal values and electrolytes.

### Cats

*Torsemide (Torasemide) doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Refractory CHF | 0.2–0.3 mg/kg | PO | q12–24h | — |

- Refractory CHF: Plumb’s p.1137 (dogs and cats): 0.2–0.3 mg/kg q12–24h (Rush 2008). Papich 5e: no cat dose reported — the dog dose may be considered. Start at the low end; cats dehydrate and become azotaemic easily.

### Horses

*Torsemide (Torasemide) doses for horses*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Diuresis / CHF | 0.5–1 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — |

- Diuresis / CHF: Papich 5e: horses 0.5–1 mg/kg q12h PO.

## Contraindications

Anuria, severe dehydration/hypovolaemia, marked electrolyte depletion (hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia), and significant pre-renal azotaemia. Caution with other nephrotoxins/ototoxins and aggressive concurrent RAAS blockade. Sulfonamide hypersensitivity (related structure). Known hypersensitivity.

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Cats: Cats are prone to dehydration and azotaemia — start at the low end and monitor renal values/electrolytes carefully.

## Adverse effects

- Dehydration and pre-renal azotaemia (more sustained than furosemide)
- Hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemic alkalosis
- Hypotension, weakness
- Ototoxicity (high doses, with other ototoxins)
- Activation of RAAS (less than expected due to mild anti-aldosterone effect)

## Drug interactions

- ACE inhibitors / other antihypertensives: additive hypotension and azotaemia
- Aminoglycosides / other ototoxins/nephrotoxins: additive toxicity
- Digoxin: diuretic-induced hypokalaemia increases digoxin toxicity
- NSAIDs: blunt diuretic effect and increase nephrotoxicity
- Corticosteroids: additive potassium loss

## Pregnancy and lactation

Limited data; diuretic-induced volume contraction can reduce placental perfusion — use only if maternal benefit is clear.

## Monitoring

- Renal values (BUN/creatinine) and electrolytes (K, Na, Cl) at baseline and after dose changes
- Hydration status and body weight
- Resting respiratory rate / signs of congestion (efficacy)
- Blood pressure

## Toxicity and overdose

Overdose causes profound diuresis with dehydration, electrolyte depletion (hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia), hypotension, collapse and azotaemia; ototoxicity at very high doses. Because it is long-acting and potent, over-diuresis is easier to provoke than with furosemide.

Management: No specific antidote. Stop the drug; rehydrate with IV fluids and correct electrolytes (potassium, sodium, magnesium). Support blood pressure and renal perfusion; monitor renal values and electrolytes until stable. Anticipate a longer recovery than with furosemide owing to its duration.

## Clinical pearls

- The escalation drug when furosemide stops controlling CHF — far more potent and longer-acting
- Remember the ~1/10–1/20 conversion from furosemide; over-dosing causes rapid dehydration/azotaemia
- Better, more consistent oral absorption than furosemide — useful when gut oedema limits furosemide uptake
- Monitor electrolytes and renal values closely, especially in cats and CKD patients
- Mild anti-aldosterone action is a bonus in chronic RAAS-activated heart failure

## Mechanism of action

Inhibits the Na-K-2Cl co-transporter (NKCC2) in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, blocking sodium, potassium and chloride reabsorption and producing a powerful natriuresis/diuresis. Compared with furosemide it has higher and more predictable oral bioavailability, a longer half-life, and additional mild aldosterone-receptor antagonism, which together give stronger, smoother decongestion.

## Formulations and products

- 5 mg tablet
- 10 mg tablet
- 20 mg tablet
- Upcard (Vetoquinol) — Torasemide flavoured tablet (0.75 / 3 / 7.5 / 18 mg), Tablet
- Dytor — 5 / 10 / 20 mg tablet, Tablet (human-label)
- Torsemide — 5 / 10 / 20 mg tablet, Tablet (human-label)

## Storage

Tablets: 15–30 °C, dry, protected 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.

## Other diuretics

- [Furosemide](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/furosemide)
- [Hydrochlorothiazide](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/hydrochlorothiazide)
- [Mannitol](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/mannitol)
- [Spironolactone](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/spironolactone)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Torsemide (Torasemide) for dogs?

Reference doses for Torsemide (Torasemide) in dogs: 0.2–0.3 mg/kg PO q12–24h (Refractory/advanced CHF). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Torsemide (Torasemide) for cats?

Reference doses for Torsemide (Torasemide) in cats: 0.2–0.3 mg/kg PO q12–24h (Refractory CHF). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Torsemide (Torasemide) for horses?

Reference doses for Torsemide (Torasemide) in horses: 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q12h (Diuresis / CHF). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Torsemide (Torasemide) not be used?

Anuria, severe dehydration/hypovolaemia, marked electrolyte depletion (hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia), and significant pre-renal azotaemia. Caution with other nephrotoxins/ototoxins and aggressive concurrent RAAS blockade. Sulfonamide hypersensitivity (related structure). Known hypersensitivity.

### What are the side effects of Torsemide (Torasemide) in animals?

Dehydration and pre-renal azotaemia (more sustained than furosemide); Hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemic alkalosis; Hypotension, weakness; Ototoxicity (high doses, with other ototoxins); Activation of RAAS (less than expected due to mild anti-aldosterone effect).

## 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.