Acepromazine (Promace)
Dosage form:
Injectable solution 10 mg/mL, 15 mg/mL
Pharmacological group:
Phenothiazine derivative with CNS depressant effect
Therapeutic use:
Sedation or premedication
Dosage:
Dogs:
0.01–0.02 mg/kg slowly intravenously; 0.01–0.05 mg/kg intramuscularly or subcutaneously
Cats:
0.01–0.02 mg/kg slowly intravenously; 0.01–0.05 mg/kg intramuscularly or subcutaneously
Ferrets:
0.2–0.5 mg/kg intramuscularly or subcutaneously
Rabbits:
0.1–1 mg/kg intramuscularly or subcutaneously
Cavies:
2.5–5 mg/kg intramuscularly or subcutaneously
Acetylcysteine (NAC) (Mucomyst, Acetadote)
Dosage form:
Injectable solution 300 mg/3 mL; oral powder 100 mg, 200 mg, 600 mg
Pharmacological group:
Mucolytic / Expectorant; antidote
Therapeutic use:
Antidote for acetaminophen (paracetamol) poisoning; mucolytic agent; some ophthalmic use
Dosage:
Dogs:
1) Mucolytic: via nebulizer 50 mg as a 2% solution over 30–60 minutes, or directly into the trachea 1–2 mL of 20% solution; may also be given intravenously every 12–24 hours.
2) Acetaminophen poisoning: 140–280 mg/kg diluted in 12–25 mL/kg of 5% dextrose, administered intravenously slowly over 6 hours. Then slow infusions of 70 mg/kg every 6 hours for a minimum of 7 more doses.
2) Acetaminophen poisoning: 140–280 mg/kg diluted in 12–25 mL/kg of 5% dextrose, administered intravenously slowly over 6 hours. Then slow infusions of 70 mg/kg every 6 hours for a minimum of 7 more doses.
Cats:
1) Mucolytic: via nebulizer 50 mg as a 2% solution over 30–60 minutes, or directly into the trachea 1–2 mL of 20% solution; may also be given intravenously every 12–24 hours.
2) Acetaminophen poisoning: 140–280 mg/kg diluted in 12–25 mL/kg of 5% dextrose, administered intravenously slowly over 6 hours. Then slow infusions of 70 mg/kg every 6 hours for a minimum of 7 more doses.
2) Acetaminophen poisoning: 140–280 mg/kg diluted in 12–25 mL/kg of 5% dextrose, administered intravenously slowly over 6 hours. Then slow infusions of 70 mg/kg every 6 hours for a minimum of 7 more doses.
Activated Charcoal (Actidose-Aqua, CharcoAid)
Dosage form:
Tablets 250 mg; oral suspension
Pharmacological group:
Adsorbent
Therapeutic use:
In various poisonings
Dosage:
Dogs:
0.5–4 g/kg orally as a suspension via stomach tube
Cats:
0.5–4 g/kg orally as a suspension via stomach tube
Ademetionine / S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) (Denamarin, Zentonil, Nutramax SAMe)
Dosage form:
Tablets 400 mg, 500 mg. Powder for solution preparation 400 mg and 500 mg.
Pharmacological group:
Antioxidants / Hepatoprotectors
Therapeutic use:
Adjunctive therapy in liver diseases
Dosage:
Dogs:
20 mg/kg orally or intravenously, once every 24 hours
Cats:
20 mg/kg orally or intravenously, once every 24 hours
Afoxolaner (NexGard)
Dosage form:
Chewable tablets: 11.3 mg, 28.3 mg, 68 mg, and 136 mg per tablet
Pharmacological group:
Isoxazoline class
Therapeutic use:
Antiparasitic. Active against Ixodes ticks, fleas, Demodex, Otodectes, and Sarcoptes mites
Dosage:
Dogs:
Minimum 2.5 mg/kg orally once a month
Afoxolaner + Milbemycin oxime (NexGard Spectra)
Dosage form:
Chewable tablets (afoxolaner + milbemycin): 9.4+1.9 mg; 18.8+3.8 mg; 37.5+7.5 mg; 75+15 mg; 150+30 mg
Pharmacological group:
Isoxazoline + macrocyclic lactone combination
Therapeutic use:
Combined antiparasitic. See above, plus active against nematodes and Dirofilaria immitis larvae
Dosage:
Dogs:
Minimum 2.5 mg/kg (afoxolaner) + 0.5 mg/kg (milbemycin) orally once a month
Aglepristone (Alizin)
Dosage form:
Injectable solution 30 mg/mL
Pharmacological group:
Progesterone receptor blocker
Therapeutic use:
Unwanted pregnancy termination, therapeutic treatment of pyometra
Dosage:
Dogs:
1) Pregnancy termination: 10 mg/kg subcutaneously once every 24 hours, twice total.
2) Pyometra: 10 mg/kg subcutaneously on days 1, 2, and 7. Additionally on days 14 and 21 if response is unsatisfactory.
2) Pyometra: 10 mg/kg subcutaneously on days 1, 2, and 7. Additionally on days 14 and 21 if response is unsatisfactory.
Allopurinol (Zyloprim, Lopurin)
Dosage form:
Tablets 100 mg, 300 mg
Pharmacological group:
Xanthine oxidase inhibitor
Therapeutic use:
Dissolution and prevention of urate stones in dogs; adjunctive therapy in leishmaniasis
Dosage:
Dogs:
1) Urate urolithiasis: 10 mg/kg orally every 8 hours for 1 month, then 10–15 mg/kg every 12 hours.
2) Leishmaniasis: 10 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours for 6–12 months, combined with other drugs.
2) Leishmaniasis: 10 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours for 6–12 months, combined with other drugs.
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Dosage form:
Tablets 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg
Pharmacological group:
Benzodiazepine anxiolytic
Therapeutic use:
Treatment of anxiety and fear-related disorders in dogs and cats, especially panic signs. Adjunctive to clomipramine or SSRIs for phobic reactions.
Dosage:
Dogs:
Starting dose: 0.01–0.1 mg/kg orally as needed, up to 4 times daily. Titrate up or down to the minimum effective dose.
Cats:
Starting dose: 0.125–0.25 mg/kg orally as needed, up to twice daily is recommended; doses ranging from 0.25 mg per cat orally every 8–12 hours to 0.6 mg/kg orally have been reported. After the initial dose, titrate down to the minimum effective dose.
Aluminum Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide (Maalox, Mylanta, Amphojel)
Dosage form:
Oral suspension: 218 mg aluminum oxide + 75 mg magnesium oxide per 5 mL suspension
Pharmacological group:
Antacid / Phosphate binder
Therapeutic use:
As a phosphate binder in chronic kidney disease; in gastritis and gastric ulcers
Dosage:
Dogs:
Starting dose: 10–30 mg/kg every 6–8 hours, or 0.5–1 mL/kg orally with or immediately after food. Empirical doses.
Cats:
Starting dose: 10–30 mg/kg every 6–8 hours, or 0.5–1 mL/kg orally with or immediately after food. Empirical doses.
Amantadine (Symmetrel, Gocovri)
Dosage form:
Capsules 100 mg; tablets 100 mg
Pharmacological group:
Dopaminergic agent
Therapeutic use:
Adjunctive analgesic in animals not responding to NSAIDs or requiring chronic at-home pain management (e.g., osteoarthritis or cancer pain).
Dosage:
Dogs:
3.0–5.0 mg/kg orally once every 24 hours. Pharmacokinetic studies in greyhounds suggest some animals may need twice-daily dosing. Note: the evidence base for the currently recommended dose range is limited.
Cats:
3.0–5.0 mg/kg orally once every 24 hours; start at the lowest dose and increase slowly. Higher doses (5.0 mg/kg) may be associated with sedation. Note: the evidence base for the currently recommended dose range is limited.
Ambroxol (Mucosolvan, Lasolvan, Mucinex)
Dosage form:
Syrup 15 mg/5 mL or 30 mg/5 mL; tablets 30 mg
Pharmacological group:
Mucolytic / Expectorant
Therapeutic use:
Respiratory diseases with viscous mucus secretion
Dosage:
Dogs:
Approximately 0.5 mg/kg every 12 hours orally after food
Cats:
Approximately 0.5 mg/kg every 12 hours orally after food
Amikacin (Amikin)
Dosage form:
Injectable solution 250 mg/mL
Pharmacological group:
Aminoglycoside antibiotic
Therapeutic use:
Infectious diseases caused by susceptible bacteria
Dosage:
Dogs:
15–30 mg/kg intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously once every 24 hours
Cats:
10–15 mg/kg intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously once every 24 hours
Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
Dosage form:
Tablets 100 mg, 200 mg
Pharmacological group:
Antiarrhythmic drug
Therapeutic use:
Treatment of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias
Dosage:
Dogs:
Orally: 10–15 mg/kg every 12 hours for 7 days, then 5–7.5 mg/kg every 12 hours for 14 days, then 5–7.5 mg/kg once every 24 hours.
Amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep)
Dosage form:
Tablets 10 mg, 25 mg; solution 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL
Pharmacological group:
Tricyclic antidepressant
Therapeutic use:
Control of compulsive disorders, hyperexcitability; feline idiopathic cystitis; psychogenic alopecia
Dosage:
Dogs:
1–2 mg/kg orally every 12–24 hours
Cats:
0.5–1 mg/kg orally once every 24 hours
Amlodipine (Norvasc, Katerzia)
Dosage form:
Tablets 5 mg, 10 mg
Pharmacological group:
Calcium channel blocker
Therapeutic use:
Treatment of systemic hypertension in cats; also used in dogs
Dosage:
Dogs:
Starting dose: 0.05–0.1 mg/kg orally every 12–24 hours. Dose may be adjusted weekly up to 0.4 mg/kg depending on clinical response.
Cats:
0.625–1.25 mg per cat orally once every 24 hours. Dose may be slowly increased or frequency increased to every 12 hours.
Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Moxatag)
Dosage form:
Tablets and capsules 250 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg. Injectable solution 150 mg/mL (predominantly amoxicillin trihydrate long-acting form).
Pharmacological group:
Antibiotic (aminopenicillin)
Therapeutic use:
Active against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic organisms and many obligate anaerobes; does not act on beta-lactamase-producing organisms
Dosage:
Dogs:
7 mg/kg intramuscularly every 24 hours, or 15 mg/kg every 48 hours for long-acting formulations.
Orally: 10 mg/kg every 8–12 hours.
Orally: 10 mg/kg every 8–12 hours.
Cats:
7 mg/kg intramuscularly every 24 hours, or 15 mg/kg every 48 hours for long-acting formulations.
Orally: 10 mg/kg every 8–12 hours.
Orally: 10 mg/kg every 8–12 hours.
Ferrets:
10–30 mg/kg subcutaneously or orally every 12 hours
Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (Clavamox, Augmentin)
Dosage form:
Injectable suspension 140 mg/mL. Veterinary tablets 50 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg (amoxicillin:clavulanate ratio 4:1). Human tablets 250/125 mg, 500/125 mg, 875/125 mg. Powders for IV infusion.
Pharmacological group:
Antibiotic (beta-lactamase inhibitor combination)
Therapeutic use:
Broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against most Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms, including beta-lactamase-producing strains
Dosage:
Dogs:
Parenterally: 8.75 mg/kg intravenously every 8 hours, or 12.5 mg/kg every 12 hours; intramuscularly or subcutaneously 8.75 mg/kg every 24 hours. Orally: 12.5–25 mg/kg every 8–12 hours.
Cats:
Parenterally: 8.75 mg/kg intravenously every 8 hours, or 12.5 mg/kg every 12 hours; intramuscularly or subcutaneously 8.75 mg/kg every 24 hours. Orally: 12.5–25 mg/kg every 8–12 hours.
Ferrets:
12.5–20 mg/kg intramuscularly or subcutaneously every 12 hours
Ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen)
Dosage form:
Tablets, capsules 250 mg. Powder for injection 1000 mg per vial.
Pharmacological group:
Penicillin-class antibiotic
Therapeutic use:
Infectious diseases caused by susceptible bacteria. Ineffective against beta-lactamase-producing organisms.
Dosage:
Dogs:
Routine infections: 10–20 mg/kg intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or orally every 6–8 hours. Severe bacterial infections or CNS involvement: up to 40 mg/kg intravenously every 6 hours.
Cats:
10–20 mg/kg intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or orally every 6–8 hours.
Amprolium (Corid)
Dosage form:
Oral powder 22%, 30%
Pharmacological group:
Anticoccidial
Therapeutic use:
Treatment of coccidiosis in dogs and cats
Dosage:
Dogs:
200–300 mg per dog orally once every 24 hours for 7–12 days. Small puppies: reduce to 60–100 mg per dog orally once every 24 hours. Larger puppies: use 200 mg per dog orally once every 24 hours.
Cats:
60–100 mg per cat orally once every 24 hours for 7 days, or 110–220 mg/kg with food once every 24 hours for 7–12 days.
Arginine (L-arginine)
Dosage form:
Various tablet and powder formulations
Pharmacological group:
Amino acid
Therapeutic use:
Liver disease in cats, especially hepatic lipidosis; dietary supplement
Dosage:
Cats:
1000 mg per cat orally once every 24 hours
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) (Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin)
Dosage form:
Tablets 75 mg, 100 mg, 500 mg
Pharmacological group:
Analgesic / NSAID (COX inhibitor)
Therapeutic use:
Prevention of arterial thromboembolism. Recent data suggest clopidogrel may be superior to aspirin in cats for preventing recurrent cardiogenic thromboembolic events when used as monotherapy. May be used to control mild to moderate pain, though more COX-selective NSAIDs are generally preferred.
Dosage:
Dogs:
Doses are off-label and ideal doses are unknown. Platelet aggregation reduction: 0.5–1 mg/kg orally once every 24 hours, or 0.5 mg/kg every 12 hours. Analgesia, pyrexia, inflammation: 10–20 mg/kg orally every 12 hours; safety and efficacy of this dose have not been established.
Cats:
Platelet aggregation reduction: 18.75 mg per cat orally 3 days per week (low dose) or 75 mg per cat orally 3 days per week (high dose, associated with higher risk of GI side effects). Some authors recommend very low dose (0.5 mg/kg orally once every 24 hours) to inhibit platelet COX without preventing beneficial prostacyclin production. Safety and efficacy of these doses have not been evaluated in clinical or experimental studies.
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Dosage form:
Tablets 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg
Pharmacological group:
Selective beta-1 adrenergic blocker
Therapeutic use:
Treatment of cardiac tachyarrhythmias (including those associated with hyperthyroidism in cats). Treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (cats) or obstructive heart disease (severe aortic or pulmonic stenosis). Treatment of systemic hypertension. May be used following alpha-blocker administration in the treatment of pheochromocytoma.
Dosage:
Dogs:
0.2–2 mg/kg orally every 12 hours; typically start at lower dose with gradual upward titration as needed.
Cats:
6.25–12.5 mg per cat orally every 12–24 hours; typically start at lower dose with gradual upward titration as needed.
Atipamezole (Antisedan)
Dosage form:
Injectable solution 5 mg/mL
Pharmacological group:
Selective alpha-2 adrenoreceptor antagonist
Therapeutic use:
Reversal of medetomidine and dexmedetomidine sedation
Dosage:
Dogs:
The volume of atipamezole in mL equals the volume of dexdomitor/medetomidine administered (if at least 1 hour has passed since medetomidine/dexdomitor administration, half the volume may be used)
Cats:
The volume of atipamezole in mL equals half the volume of dexdomitor/medetomidine administered
Atropine (Atropine Sulfate)
Dosage form:
Injectable solution 1 mg/mL; ophthalmic drops 1%
Pharmacological group:
Anticholinergic / Mydriatic
Therapeutic use:
Prevention and control of bradycardia and bradyarrhythmia; pupil dilation; organophosphate and carbamate poisoning
Dosage:
Dogs:
1) Bradyarrhythmia: 0.01–0.03 mg/kg intravenously.
2) Organophosphate poisoning: 0.2–0.5 mg/kg (1/4 of dose intravenously, 3/4 intramuscularly or subcutaneously) to effect. Repeat if necessary. Alternatively 0.1–0.2 mg/kg (1/2 IV and 1/2 IM), then intramuscularly every 6 hours.
2) Organophosphate poisoning: 0.2–0.5 mg/kg (1/4 of dose intravenously, 3/4 intramuscularly or subcutaneously) to effect. Repeat if necessary. Alternatively 0.1–0.2 mg/kg (1/2 IV and 1/2 IM), then intramuscularly every 6 hours.
Cats:
1) Bradyarrhythmia: 0.01–0.03 mg/kg intravenously.
2) Organophosphate poisoning: 0.2–0.5 mg/kg (1/4 of dose intravenously, 3/4 intramuscularly or subcutaneously) to effect. Repeat if necessary. Alternatively 0.1–0.2 mg/kg (1/2 IV and 1/2 IM), then intramuscularly every 6 hours.
2) Organophosphate poisoning: 0.2–0.5 mg/kg (1/4 of dose intravenously, 3/4 intramuscularly or subcutaneously) to effect. Repeat if necessary. Alternatively 0.1–0.2 mg/kg (1/2 IV and 1/2 IM), then intramuscularly every 6 hours.
Ferrets:
0.04 mg/kg subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously
Azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan)
Dosage form:
Tablets 50 mg
Pharmacological group:
Immunomodulatory / antineoplastic agent
Therapeutic use:
Treatment of immune-mediated diseases such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and immune-mediated polyarthritis
Dosage:
Dogs:
2 mg/kg orally once every 24 hours for a maximum of 2–3 weeks, then 0.5–2 mg/kg orally every 48 hours
Cats:
Not recommended
Azithromycin (Zithromax, Azithrocin)
Dosage form:
Tablets and capsules 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg; oral suspension 20 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL
Pharmacological group:
Macrolide antibiotic
Therapeutic use:
Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity
Dosage:
Dogs:
5–10 mg/kg orally once every 24 hours. After 3–5 days of treatment the interval may be extended to every 48 hours.
Cats:
5–10 mg/kg orally once every 24 hours. After 3–5 days of treatment the interval may be extended to every 48 hours.