Vinblastine: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Veterinary drug

Also known as

Velban, Vinblastine sulphate, Vinblastin

Species with doses

Dogs and Cats

Routes

IV

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Mast cell tumours (with prednisolone, ± lomustine) — a common first-line medical protocol
• Lymphoma and some other tumours (per protocol)
• Vinca-sensitive neoplasia where a more myelosuppressive/less-neurotoxic vinca is preferred

Vinblastine 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

• Mast cell tumour / neoplasia (BSA dosing): Dosed by BODY SURFACE AREA. Papich 5e: 2 mg/m² IV slow infusion once weekly (higher doses discussed in the monograph). Plumb’s p.1166: 2–2.2 mg/m² IV every 1–2 weeks, often with prednisolone ± cyclophosphamide. Neutrophil nadir about 7 days — CBC before each dose. VESICANT.

Cats

• Neoplasia (BSA dosing): Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.1166 (dogs/cats): 2–2.2 mg/m² IV every 1–2 weeks. Calculate BSA carefully in small patients; vesicant.

Contraindications

Pre-existing significant myelosuppression (neutropenia). Severe hepatic impairment (hepatic clearance — reduce dose). Perivascular administration (vesicant — necrosis). Pregnancy. Known hypersensitivity. Intrathecal use is FATAL (IV only). Cytotoxic-handling precautions required.

Species-specific warnings

Cats: Small body size makes BSA dosing error-prone — calculate carefully and monitor CBC for myelosuppression.

Adverse effects

• Myelosuppression (neutropenia nadir ~7 days) — dose-limiting (more than vincristine)
• GI: vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia; ileus/constipation
• Peripheral neuropathy (LESS than vincristine)
• Severe tissue necrosis if EXTRAVASATED (vesicant); alopecia

Drug interactions

• Other myelosuppressive chemo: additive marrow suppression (built into protocols)
• CYP3A inhibitors (azoles, macrolides): raise vinblastine levels → increased toxicity
• Drugs causing neuropathy: additive (less relevant than with vincristine)
• Combined with prednisolone/lomustine in mast cell tumour protocols

Pregnancy and lactation

Contraindicated in pregnancy (teratogenic/cytotoxic). Full cytotoxic-handling precautions; pregnant staff must not handle.

Monitoring

• CBC before each dose (neutrophil nadir ~7 days) — the dose-limiting effect
• IV catheter placement/patency (vesicant) and the site during/after
• GI signs and (less commonly) neuropathy
• Tumour response; cumulative protocol tracking

Toxicity and overdose

The dose-limiting toxicity is MYELOSUPPRESSION (neutropenia, more pronounced than with vincristine), plus GI toxicity; peripheral neuropathy occurs but LESS than with vincristine. EXTRAVASATION causes severe, progressive tissue necrosis. Accidental intrathecal administration is fatal. Overdose intensifies marrow and GI toxicity.

Management: No specific antidote. Supportive/intensive care: manage neutropenic sepsis (antibiotics ± G-CSF), GI support, and neuropathy. For EXTRAVASATION: stop, aspirate, apply WARM compresses and consider hyaluronidase infiltration (as for vincristine; do NOT use cold). Monitor CBC closely; guarded prognosis in severe overdose.

Clinical pearls

• The "myelosuppressive, less-neurotoxic" vinca — the mirror image of vincristine; a mainstay (with prednisolone ± lomustine) for canine MAST CELL TUMOURS
• Dose by BSA (mg/m²) and check the CBC before every dose — neutropenia (nadir ~7 days) is the dose-limiter
• A potent VESICANT — a flawless single-stick IV is essential; extravasation → warm compress + hyaluronidase (same as vincristine)
• Watch CYP3A inhibitors (azoles/macrolides), which raise levels/toxicity; handle with full cytotoxic precautions

Mechanism of action

Binds tubulin and inhibits microtubule polymerisation, arresting the mitotic spindle in metaphase so dividing cells cannot complete mitosis and undergo apoptosis — cell-cycle (M-phase) specific cytotoxicity (same mechanism as vincristine). Subtle differences in tissue distribution/binding give vinblastine a MORE myelosuppressive and LESS neurotoxic profile than vincristine, which guides which vinca is chosen for a given protocol.

Formulations and products

• Injection 1 mg/mL (10 mg vial)
• Velban / Vinblastine — 1 mg/mL (10 mg vial), Injection (human-label)

Storage

Injection: REFRIGERATE (2–8 °C), protect from light. Handle as a hazardous cytotoxic (closed-system/PPE); dispose appropriately.

Before you use this dose

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 hormones, emergency drugs, supplements and other drugs

• Toceranib
• Toldimfos sodium (Organic Phosphorus)
• Tranexamic Acid
• Trilostane
• Vincristine
• Vitamin AD3E Injection
• Vitamin E / Selenium
• Yohimbine

Frequently asked questions