# Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin): veterinary dose and monograph

> Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin) is a veterinary cardiovascular drug. The endogenous antidiuretic hormone used here as a NON-adrenergic VASOPRESSOR — it constricts vasculature via V1 receptors independently of adrenergic receptors, so it still works when catecholamine (adrenaline/norepinephrine)… Indications include cardiopulmonary resuscitation — vasopressor (alternative/adjunct to adrenaline); catecholamine-refractory vasodilatory / septic shock (with norepinephrine); vasoplegia unresponsive to adrenergic pressors (e.g. severe acidosis). This monograph lists 4 reference doses for dogs and cats, each with route, frequency and source.

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

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Cardiovascular
- **Also known as:** AVP, ADH, Pitressin, Argipressin
- **Species with doses:** Dogs and Cats
- **Routes:** IV
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation — vasopressor (alternative/adjunct to adrenaline)
- Catecholamine-refractory vasodilatory / septic shock (with norepinephrine)
- Vasoplegia unresponsive to adrenergic pressors (e.g. severe acidosis)

## Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin) 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

*Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin) doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CPR (cardiac arrest) | 0.2–0.8 mg/kg | IV | single bolus (may repeat) | — |
| Catecholamine-refractory vasodilatory shock (CRI) | 0.5–5 mU/kg/min | IV | CRI — never exceed 0.04 U/min total | — |

- CPR (cardiac arrest): UNITS/kg. Papich 5e: 0.8 U/kg IV bolus, repeatable during CPR. Plumb’s p.1161 (Scroggin & Quandt 2009): 0.2–0.8 U/kg IV once for PEA or asystole, alternating with adrenaline 0.01 mg/kg.
- Catecholamine-refractory vasodilatory shock (CRI): Papich 5e: 0.01–0.04 U/min (0.5–5 mU/kg/min); do not exceed 0.04 U/min. Plumb’s p.1161: 0.01–0.04 U/min IV regardless of weight when fluids and catecholamines fail; risk of myocardial ischaemia; do not use in cardiogenic shock.

### Cats

*Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin) doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CPR (cardiac arrest) | 0.2–0.8 mg/kg | IV | single bolus (may repeat) | — |
| Catecholamine-refractory vasodilatory shock (CRI) | 0.5–5 mU/kg/min | IV | CRI — never exceed 0.04 U/min total | — |

- CPR (cardiac arrest): UNITS/kg. Plumb’s p.1161: 0.2–0.8 U/kg IV once for PEA or asystole. Papich 5e (dogs and cats): 0.8 U/kg IV, repeatable.
- Catecholamine-refractory vasodilatory shock (CRI): Papich 5e (dogs and cats): 0.01–0.04 U/min (0.5–5 mU/kg/min). Plumb’s p.1161: 0.01–0.04 U/min IV. Diagnostic use after a water-deprivation test: 0.5 U/kg IM (Peterson & Randolph).

## Contraindications

Uncorrected hypovolaemia (resuscitate volume first). Significant coronary/vascular disease (intense vasoconstriction → ischaemia). Extravasation risk. Known hypersensitivity. Reserve high-dose vasopressor use for arrest/refractory shock.

## Adverse effects

- Intense vasoconstriction → myocardial/peripheral/splanchnic ischaemia at high doses
- Reduced cardiac output; bradycardia
- Tissue necrosis if extravasated
- Water retention/hyponatraemia (antidiuretic effect, with prolonged use)

## Drug interactions

- Catecholamines (norepinephrine/adrenaline): complementary/additive vasopressor effect (different mechanism)
- Ganglionic blockers: enhanced pressor effect
- Drugs causing SIADH/fluid retention: additive antidiuretic effect

## Pregnancy and lactation

Reserve for arrest/life-threatening shock; can affect uterine tone. Limited data.

## Monitoring

- Blood pressure/perfusion and ECG (titrate; avoid over-vasoconstriction/gut ischaemia)
- Serum sodium with prolonged infusion (antidiuretic effect)
- IV catheter site (extravasation); response during CPR/shock

## Toxicity and overdose

Excessive vasoconstriction causes myocardial, peripheral and SPLANCHNIC (gut) ischaemia, reduced cardiac output and, with prolonged infusion, water retention/hyponatraemia. Extravasation causes necrosis. The intense, non-selective vasoconstriction warrants careful titration and monitoring.

Management: Reduce/stop the infusion (short-acting). Manage ischaemic complications supportively; monitor for hyponatraemia with prolonged use. For extravasation, local phentolamine/nitroglycerin has been used. Continuous BP/ECG and perfusion monitoring.

## Clinical pearls

- The NON-adrenergic pressor — works via V1 receptors independently of catecholamines, so it shines when adrenergic pressors fail (severe acidosis, catecholamine-refractory vasodilatory shock) and as an adjunct/alternative in CPR
- Dosed in IU; a CPR bolus during arrest, or a low-dose CRI added to norepinephrine in refractory shock
- Watch for splanchnic (gut) and peripheral ischaemia from intense vasoconstriction — titrate carefully; correct hypovolaemia first
- This is its vasopressor role — for diabetes insipidus, use desmopressin (V2-selective) instead

## Mechanism of action

Stimulates V1a receptors on vascular smooth muscle (via phospholipase-C/IP3, RAISING intracellular calcium) to cause potent vasoconstriction and increased systemic vascular resistance — a mechanism entirely INDEPENDENT of adrenergic receptors, so it remains effective when catecholamine receptors are down-regulated or unresponsive (acidosis, refractory shock). At V2 receptors in the kidney it is antidiuretic (its physiological ADH role, exploited separately for diabetes insipidus via desmopressin).

## Formulations and products

- Injection 20 IU/mL (dilute; IV or intraosseous)
- Pitressin / Argipressin — 20 IU/mL injection, Injection (dilute) (human-label)

## Storage

Injection: REFRIGERATE per label, protect from light; dilute for infusion and use promptly.

## 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 cardiovascular drugs

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- [Sotalol](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/sotalol)
- [Telmisartan](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/telmisartan)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin) for dogs?

Reference doses for Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin) in dogs: 0.2–0.8 mg/kg IV single bolus (may repeat) (CPR (cardiac arrest)); 0.5–5 mU/kg/min IV CRI — never exceed 0.04 U/min total (Catecholamine-refractory vasodilatory shock (CRI)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin) for cats?

Reference doses for Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin) in cats: 0.2–0.8 mg/kg IV single bolus (may repeat) (CPR (cardiac arrest)); 0.5–5 mU/kg/min IV CRI — never exceed 0.04 U/min total (Catecholamine-refractory vasodilatory shock (CRI)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin) not be used?

Uncorrected hypovolaemia (resuscitate volume first). Significant coronary/vascular disease (intense vasoconstriction → ischaemia). Extravasation risk. Known hypersensitivity. Reserve high-dose vasopressor use for arrest/refractory shock.

### What are the side effects of Vasopressin (Arginine Vasopressin) in animals?

Intense vasoconstriction → myocardial/peripheral/splanchnic ischaemia at high doses; Reduced cardiac output; bradycardia; Tissue necrosis if extravasated; Water retention/hyponatraemia (antidiuretic effect, with prolonged use).

## 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.