Page 423 - Feline Cardiology

Generic Name Indications/Drug Dosage and Comments Available sizes
(Brand Name) Type Possible Routes
of Admin.

Dobutamine Beta-1 selective 1–10 mcg/kg/ Critical systolic dysfunction (severe dilated 12.5 mg/ml
(Dobutrex [H]) adrenergic min IV CRI, cardiomyopathy causing refractory congestive (250 mg vial)
agonist adjust rate heart failure; or life-threatening low output Inj
PRN heart failure, end-stage restrictive/unclassified HM
cardiomyopathy). Contraindicated in
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, with possible
exception of near-terminal states with poor
systolic function demonstrated
echocardiographically. Long-term benefit is
unknown and dubious for any form of heart
disease in the cat. Used for medical bridging
to surgical cure in human cardiology; rarely
applies to feline patients. Do not confuse with
dopamine. Sample formulation for 5 mcg/kg/
min: 2 ml (25 mg) in 100 ml 5%
dextrose = 250 mcg/ml. Administration at half
maintenance rate = 30 ml/kg/d = 1.25 ml/
kg/h = 0.02 ml/kg/min = 5 mcg/kg/min. Begin
at lower end of dosage range and adjust
according to response. Reports of causing
seizures in some cats.
Domitor—see
Medetomidine
Dopamine Alpha- and 0.5–10 mcg/ Critical hypotension; cardiogenic shock. Must 40, 80,
(Intropin [H]) beta-adrenergic kg/min IV CRI, be titrated based on response, which requires 160 mg/ml
agonist adjust rate monitoring arterial blood pressure, mentation, Inj
PRN and mucous membrane color at a minimum. HM
Efficacy for treating acute renal failure
questionable. Contraindicated in congestive
heart failure unless the patient is both
hypotensive and normovolemic/ hypervolemic.
Sample formulation for 4 mcg/kg/min: 0.5 ml
of 40 mg/ml (20 mg) in 100 ml 5%
dextrose = 200 mcg/ml. Administration at half
maintenance rate = 30 ml/kg/d = 1.25 ml/
kg/h = 0.02 ml/kg/min = 4 mcg/kg/min. Begin
at lower end of dosage range and adjust
according to response.

Doxapram Direct central 1.1 mg/kg (for Treatment for apnea that is unresponsive to 20 mg/ml
(Dopram [V]) nervous system gas anesthesia) standard corrective measures (e.g., decrease Inj
respiratory or 5.5–11 mg/ concentration/reverse anesthetic). Rarely VM
stimulant kg indicated in feline cardiology.
(for barbiturate
anesthesia) IV
Drug Formulary

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