Charts and Tables

TABLE 6-1.

Emergency Hotlines

Need	Agency	Phone number
To obtain information regarding the treatment of a known or suspected poisoning/toxicosis case.	ASPCA Animal Poison Control	888–426–4435
	Center ($50 fee for service may apply)
To report known or suspected adverse drug (not vaccine) reactions.	Food & Drug Administration (FDA)	888–332–8387 (voice messages accepted)
	Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)
To report shortages of medically necessary veterinary drugs.	Food & Drug Administration (FDA)	301–827–4570
	Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)	or
		888–463–6332
To report known or suspected adverse vaccine reactions.	US Dept of Agriculture (USDA)	800–752–6255
	Center for Veterinary Biologics (Also, contact vaccine manufacturer directly. NOTE: this is for reporting purposes only; adverse event information on a specific product is usually not provided.)
For inquiries on transfusion medicine (no charge).	Animal Blood Bank HOTLINE	800–243–5759 (24-hour)
For inquiries on transfusion medicine and purchase of blood and blood components.	Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank	800–949–3822 (24-hour)
For inquiries on access to blood and blood products for all species.	Midwest Animal Blood Services	517–851–8244 (24 hour)
For inquiries on transfusion medicine—a full-service, nonprofit blood bank and educational network for animals	HEMOPET	714–891–2022 (24-hour)
Access to a commercial blood bank and purchase of blood and blood components.	Veterinarians'Blood Bank	812–358–8500
For inquiries on pesticides, pesticide products, poisonings and toxicities.	National Pesticide Information Center	800–858–7378 npic@ace.orst.edu
For inquiries on pet shipping regulations and regulations for shipping pets on airlines	US Dept of Agriculture (USDA) (voice response service)	800–545–8732
To contact the Office of Diversion Control of the DEA	Drug Enforcement Agency	800–882–9539

TABLE 6-2. Dog Breeds Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The American Kennel Club (AKC) currently recognizes 150 dog breeds, each of which is assigned to one of 7 breed groups. The AKC maintains an excellent website offering considerable information on individual breeds (see http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm)

Sporting group

• American Water Spaniel

• Brittany Spaniel

• Chesapeake Bay Retriever

• Clumber Spaniel

• Cocker Spaniel

• Curly-Coated Retriever

• English Cocker Spaniel

• English Setter

• English Springer Spaniel

• Field Spaniel

• Flat-Coated Retriever

• German Shorthaired Pointer

• German Wirehaired Pointer

• Golden Retriever

• Gordon Setter

• Irish Setter

• Irish Water Spaniel

• Labrador Retriever

• Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

• Pointer

• Spinone Italiano

• Sussex Spaniel

• Vizsla

• Weimaraner

• Welsh Springer Spaniel

• Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Hound group

• Afghan Hound

• American Foxhound

• Basenji

• Basset Hound

• Beagle

• Black and Tan Coonhound

• Bloodhound

• Borzoi

• Dachshund

• English Foxhound

• Greyhound

• Harrier

• Ibizan Hound

• Irish Wolfhound

• Norwegian Elkhound

• Otterhound

• Petit Basset Griffon Vendèen

• Pharaoh Hound

• Rhodesian Ridgeback

• Saluki

• Scottish Deerhound

• Whippet

Working group

• Akita

• Alaskan Malamute

• Anatolian Shepherd Dog

• Bernese Mountain Dog

• Black Russian Terrier

• Boxer

• Bullmastiff

• Doberman Pinscher

• German Pinscher

• Giant Schnauzer

• Great Dane

• Great Pyrenees

• Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

• Komondor

• Kuvasz

• Mastiff

• Neapolitan Mastiff

• Newfoundland

• Portuguese Water Dog

• Rottweiler

• Saint Bernard

• Samoyed

• Siberian Husky

• Standard Schnauzer

Terrier group

• Airedale Terrier

• American Staffordshire Terrier

• Australian Terrier

• Bedlington Terrier

• Border Terrier

• Bull Terrier

• Cairn Terrier

• Dandie Dinmont Terrier

• Irish Terrier

• Kerry Blue Terrier

• Lakeland Terrier

• Manchester Terrier (Standard)

• Miniature Bull Terrier

• Miniature Schnauzer

• Norfolk Terrier

• Norwich Terrier

• Parson Russell Terrier

• Scottish Terrier

• Sealyham Terrier

• Skye Terrier

• Smooth Fox Terrier

• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

• Welsh Terrier

• West Highland White Terrier

• Wire Fox Terrier

Toy group

• Affenpinscher

• Brussels Griffon

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• Chihuahua

• Chinese Crested

• English Toy Spaniel

• Havanese

• Italian Greyhound

• Japanese Chin

• Maltese

• Manchester Terrier (Toy)

• Miniature Pinscher

• Papillon

• Pekingese

• Pomeranian

• Pug

• Shih Tzu

• Silky Terrier

• Toy Fox Terrier

• Yorkshire Terrier

Non-sporting group

• American Eskimo Dog

• Bichon Frise

• Boston Terrier

• Bulldog

• Chinese Shar-pei

• Chow Chow

• Dalmatian

• Finnish Spitz

• French Bulldog

• Keeshond

• Lhasa Apso

• Löwchen

• Poodle

• Schipperke

• Shiba Inu

• Tibetan Spaniel

• Tibetan Terrier

Herding group

• Australian Cattle Dog

• Australian Shepherd

• Bearded Collie

• Belgian Malinois

• Belgian Sheepdog

• Belgian Tervuren

• Border Collie

• Bouvier des Flandres

• Briard

• Canaan Dog

• Cardigan Welsh Corgi

• Collie

• German Shepherd Dog

• Old English Sheepdog

• Pembroke Welsh Corgi

• Polish Lowland Sheepdog

• Puli

• Shetland Sheepdog

Miscellaneous class

• Beauceron

• Glen of Imaal Terrier

• Plott

• Redbone Coonhound

TABLE 6-3. Cat Breeds Recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).

The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) presently recognizes 37 pedigreed breeds for showing in the Championship Class, and 4 breeds as Miscellaneous. For additional information on individual breeds on the CFA website, see http://www.cfainc.org/breeds.html.

Championship class

• Abyssinian

• American Curl

• American Shorthair

• American Wirehair

• Balinese

• Birman

• Bombay

• British Shorthair

• Burmese

• Chartreux

• Colorpoint Shorthair

• Cornish Rex

• Devon Rex

• Egyptian Mau

• European Burmese

• Exotic

• Havana Brown

• Japanese Bobtail

• Javanese

• Korat

• Maine Coon

• Manx

• Norwegian Forest Cat

• Ocicat

• Oriental

• Persian

• Ragdoll

• Russian Blue

• Scottish Fold

• Selkirk Rex

• Siamese

• Singapura

• Somali

• Sphynx

• Tonkinese

• Turkish Angora

• Turkish Van

Miscellaneous

• American Bobtail

• LaPerm

• RagaMuffin

• Siberian

TABLE 6-4.

Useful Information for Rodents and Rabbits

	Hamster	Rabbit	Mouse	Rat	Gerbil	Guinea pig
Weight at birth	2 g	100 g	1.5 g	5.5 g	3 g	100 g
Puberty	(F) 28–31 days	4–9 mo	35 days	50–60 days	(F) 3–5 mo	(F) 20–30 days
	(M) 45 days				(M) 10–12 wk	(M) 70 days
	(best to breed 70 days)
Duration of estrous cycle*	4 days	Ovulation not spontaneous; stimulated by copulation; doe ovulates 10–13 hr after	4 days	4 days	4 days	16 days
Gestation (days)	16	28–36	19–21	21–23	24	62–72
Separation of adults during parturition and weaning	Yes	Yes	No	No	No (mates for life)	No
Number per liter	4–10	7	10	8–10	1–12	1–4
Eyes open	15 days	10 days	11–14 days	14–17 days	16–20 days	Prior to birth
Wean at	25 days	42–56 days	21 days	21 days	21 days	14–21 days or 160 g
Postpartum estrus	Within 24 hr	14 days	Within 24–48 hr	Within 24–48 hr	Within 24–72 hr	Within 24 hr
Breeding life	11–18 mo	1–3 years (max.6 yr)	12–18 mo	14 mo	15–20 mo	3–4 yr
Adult weight	(F) 120 g	(F) 4.0 kg	(F) 30 g	(F) 300 g	(F) 75 g	(F) 850 g
	(M) 108 g	(M) 4.3 kg	(M) 39 g	(M) 500 g	(M) 85 g	(M) 1000 g
Life span (yr)	2–3	5–7	3.0–3.5	3	4	4–5
Body temperature	97° –101 °F	101° –103.2 °F	96.4° –100 °F	99.5° –100.6 °F	100.8 °F	100.4° –102.5 °F
	(36.1° –38.3 °C)	(38.3° –39.5 °C)	(35.8° –37.7 °C)	(37.5° –38.1 °C)	(32.8 °C)	(38–39.2 °C)
Daily adult water consumption	8–12 mL/day	80 mL/kg body weight	3–3.5 mL/day	20–30 mL/day	4 mL/day	10 mL/100 g body weight
Daily adult food consumption (varies with age and condition)	7–12 g/day	100–150 g/day	2.5–4.0 g/day	20–40 g/day	10–15 g/day	30–35 g/day
Diet	Commercial rat, mouse, or hamster chow supplemented with kale,† cabbage,† apples, milk	Commercial rabbit pellets, greens in moderation	Commercial mouse chow	Commercial rat or mouse chow	Commercial mouse or rat chow (lowest fat possible); sunflower seeds	Commercial guinea pig chow, good-quality hay, kale, cabbage, fruits (cannot rely on vitamin C levels of commercial ration)
Room temperature	65° –75 °F	62° –68 °F	70° –80 °F	76° –18 °F	65° –80 °F	65° –75 °F
	(18.3° –24 °C)	(17° –20 °C)	(21° –27 °C)	(24.5° –25.5 °C)	(18.3° –26.6 °C)	(18.3° –24 °C)
Humidity (%)	50	50	50	50	<50	50

^*All species listed except rabbits are seasonally polyestrous.

^†Better source of vitamin C than lettuce.

From Schuchman SM: Individual care and treatment of rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbils. In Kirk RW, ed: Current Veterinary Therapy X.Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1989, p 739.

TABLE 6-5.

Determination of the Sex of Mature and Immature Rodents and Rabbits

Mature hamsters, mice, rats, guinea pigs, and gerbils
Male	Female
1.Anogenital distance longer in the male 2.Manipulate “genital papilla”(prepuce) to protrude penis. 3.Palpate for testicles either in a scrotal sac (if present) or subcutaneous in inguinal region. 4. Males have only two external openings in the inguinal area: a. Anus b. Urethral orifice at tip of penis. In very fat males there may be a depression between the penis and anus. This depression can be obliterated by manipulating the skin in this area.	1.Anogenital distance shorter in the female. 2. Look for the three external openings in the inguinal area: a. Anus (most caudal opening). b. Vaginal orifice (middle opening) – look carefully. c. Urethral orifice at tip of urethral papilla (most anterior opening). In these animals the urethral papilla is located outside the vagina (unlike dogs and cats). In very fat females or young females, the vaginal orifice may be either hidden by folds of skin (the former) or sealed (latter). Gentle manipulation of the skin in this area will divulge the orifice.
Mature rabbits
Male	Female
1.Protrude penis by manipulating skin of prepuce. 2.Palpate for testicles. 3.Anogenital distance is longer.	1.There is a common orifice for both the vagina and urethra (like dogs and cats). 2.No. structure like a “penis” can be protruded from the urogenital orifice. 3.Anogenital distance is shorter

From Schuchman SM: Individual care and treatment of rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbils. In Kirk RW, ed: Current Veterinary Therapy X. Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1989, p 740.

TABLE 6-6.

Blood Values and Serum Chemical Constituents for Rodents and Rabbits

Laboratory test	Rats	Mice	Hamsters	Guinea pigs	Rabbits	Mangolian gerbils
AST (Sigma-Frankel units)	25–42	32–41	22–36	10–25	14–27	–
Alkaline phosphatase (Bodansky units)	4.1–8.6	2.4–4.0	2.0–3.5	1.5–8.1	2.1–3.2	–
BUN (mg/dL)	10–20	8–30	10–40	8–20	5–30	18–24
Sodium (mEq/L)	144	114–154	106–185	120–155	100–145	144–158
Potassium (mEq/L)	5.9	3.0–9.6	2.3–9.8	6.5–8.2	3.0–7.0	3.8–5.2
Bilirubin, total (mg/dL)	0.42	0.18–0.54	0.3–0.4	0.24–0.30	0.15–0.20	–
Blood glucose (mg/dL)	50–115	108–192	32.6–118.4	60–125	50–140	69–119
RBCs (106 cells/mm3)	7.2–9.6	9.3–10.5	4.0–9.3	4.5–7.0	3.2–7.5	8.3–9.3
Hemoglobin (g/dL)	14.8	12–14.9	9.7–16.8	11–15	10–15	10–16
Hematocrit (%)	40–50	35–50	40–52	35–50	35–45	35–45
WBCs (103 cells/mm3)	8–14	8–14	7–15	5–12	8–10	9–14
Segmented (%)	30	26	16–28	42	30–50	10–20
Nonsegmented (%)	0	0	8	0	0	0
Lymphocytes (%)	65–77	55–80	64–78	45–81	30–50	70–89
Eosinophils (%)	1	3	1	5	1	1
Monocytes (%)	4	5	2	8	9	0
Basophils (%)	0	0	0	2	0	0

AST, aspartate aminotransferase; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; RBCs, red blood cells; WBCs, white blood cells.

*These are values found in healthy-appearing animals and can be used as guides but should not be interpreted as physiologic norms for the species listed.

Modified from Schuchman SM: Individual care and treatment of rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbils. In Kirk RW, ed: Current Veterinary Therapy X. Philadelphia, WB Saunders,1989, p 746.

TABLE 6-7.

Ferrets—Physiologic, Anatomic, and Reproductive Data

Data		Range or value
Physiologic data
	Life span	5–9 yr (average 5–7)
	Commercial breeding life	2–5 yr
	Body temperature	101 –104 F (38 -40 C)
	Respiratory rate	32–36 breaths/min
	Heart rate	220–250 bpm (average 240)
	Water consumption	75–100 mL/day
	Chromosome number	2n = 40
Anatomical data
	Dental formula	2 (I3/3, C1/1, P3/4, M1/2)
	Vertebral formula	C-7, T-14, L-6, S-3, Cd-14–Cd-18
Reproductive data
	Gestation	39–46 days (average 42)
	Litter size	2–17 kits (average 8)
	False pregnancy	40–42 days
	Placentation	Zonal
	Implantation time	12–31 days
	Weaning	5–6 wk
	Ovulation	30–40 hr post coitus

From Randolph RW: Medical and surgical care of the pet ferret. In Kirk RW, ed: Current Veterinary Therapy X. Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1989, p 766.

TABLE 6-8.

Hematologic Values for Normal Ferrets^*

Laboratory test		Mean	Range
Hematocrit (%)		52.3	42–61
Hemoglobin (g/dL)		17.0	15–18
RBCs (106 cells/mm3)		9.17	6.8–12.2
WBCs (103 cells/mm3)		10.1	4.0–19
WBCs
	Lymphocytes (%)	34.5	12–54
	Neutrophils (%)	58.3	11–84
	Monocytes (%)	4.4	0–9.0
	Eosinophils (%)	2.5	0–7.0
	Basophils (%)	0.1	0–2.0
Reticulocytes (%)		4.6	1–14
Platelets (103 cells/mm3)		499	297–910
Total protein (g/dL)		6.0	5.1–7.4

^*Values are for both sexes.

From Ryland L, Bernard S, Gorham J: A clinical guide to the pet ferret. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 5:25 1983, which was adapted from Thornton, et al: Lab Anim 13:119, 1979.

© 2006

Since January 2020 Elsevier has created a COVID-19 resource centre with free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The COVID-19 resource centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, the company's public news and information website. Elsevier hereby grants permission to make all its COVID-19-related research that is available on the COVID-19 resource centre - including this research content - immediately available in PubMed Central and other publicly funded repositories, such as the WHO COVID database with rights for unrestricted research re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for free by Elsevier for as long as the COVID-19 resource centre remains active.

TABLE 6-9.

Serum Chemistry Values for Normal Ferrets^*

Analyte	Unit	Mean	Range
Glucose	mg/dL	136	94–207
BUN	mg/dL	22	10–45
Albumin	mg/dL	3.2	2.3–3.8
Alkaline phosphatase	IU/L	23	9–84
AST	IU/L	65	28–120
Total bilirubin	mg/dL	<1.0
Cholesterol	mg/dL	165	64–296
Creatinine	mg/dL	0.6	0.4–0.9
Sodium	mEq/L	148	137–162
Potassium	mEq/L	5.9	4.5–7.7
Chloride	mEq/L	116	106–125
Calcium	mg/dL	9.2	8.0–11.8
Phosphorus	mg/dL	5.9	4.0–9.1

BUN, blood urea nitrogen; AST, aspartate aminotransferase.

^*Values for both sexes.

From Ryland L, Bernard S, Gorham J:A clinical guide to the pet ferret. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 5:25 1983, which was adapted from Thornton, et al: Lab Anim 13:119 1979.

© 2006

Since January 2020 Elsevier has created a COVID-19 resource centre with free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The COVID-19 resource centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, the company's public news and information website. Elsevier hereby grants permission to make all its COVID-19-related research that is available on the COVID-19 resource centre - including this research content - immediately available in PubMed Central and other publicly funded repositories, such as the WHO COVID database with rights for unrestricted research re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for free by Elsevier for as long as the COVID-19 resource centre remains active.

TABLE 6-10.

Electrocardiographic Data for Normal Ferrets^*

Parameter				Mean	Range
Rate rhythm				224 ± 51	150–340
	Normal sinus rhythm
	Sinus arrhythmia
Measurements
	P wave
		Width		0.03 ± 0.009	0.015–0.04 s
		Height		0.106 ± 0.03	0.05–0.20 mV
	P–R interval
		Width		0.05 ± 0.01	0.04–0.08 s
	QRS complex
		Q wave		Usually none
		Rwave
			Width	0.049 ± 0.008	0.04–0.06 s
			Height	1.59 ± 0.63	0.6–3.15 mV
		S wave
			Height	0.166 ± 0.101	0.1–0.25 mV
	S–T segment
		Width		0.030 ± 0.016	0.01–0.06 s
	Q–T interval
		Width		0.13 ± 0.027	0.10–0.18 s
	T wave
		Width		0.06 ± 0.01 0.	03–0.1 s
		Height		0.24 ± 0.12	0.10–0.45 mV
Mean electrical axis (frontal plane)					+65–100 degrees

^*Ferrets in right lateral recumbency; sedation with ketamine and xylazine.

TABLE 6-11.

Conversion of Body Weight in Kilograms to Body Surface Area in Meters Squared for Dogs

Kg	M2	Kg	M2
0.50	0.06	26.00	0.88
1.00	0.10	27.00	0.90
2.00	0.15	28.00	0.92
3.00	0.20	29.00	0.94
4.00	0.25	30.00	0.96
5.00	0.29	31.00	0.99
6.00	0.33	32.00	1.01
7.00	0.36	33.00	1.03
8.00	0.40	34.00	1.05
9.00	0.43	35.00	1.07
10.00	0.46	36.00	1.09
11.00	0.49	37.00	1.11
12.00	0.52	38.00	1.13
13.00	0.55	39.00	1.15
14.00	0.58	40.00	1.17
15.00	0.60	41.00	1.19
16.00	0.63	42.00	1.21
17.00	0.66	43.00	1.23
18.00	0.69	44.00	1.25
19.00	0.71	45.00	1.26
20.00	0.74	46.00	1.28
21.00	0.76	47.00	1.30
22.00	0.78	48.00	1.32
23.00	0.81	49.00	1.34
24.00	0.83	50.00	1.36
25.00	0.85

TABLE 6-12.

Conversion of Body Weight in Kilograms to Body Surface Area in Meters Squared for Cats

Kg	M2
0.50	0.06
1.00	0.10
1.50	0.12
2.00	0.15
2.50	0.17
3.00	0.20
3.50	0.22
4.00	0.24
4.50	0.26
5.00	0.28
5.50	0.29
6.00	0.31
6.50	0.33
7.00	0.34
7.50	0.36
8.00	0.38
8.50	0.39
9.00	0.41
9.50	0.42
10.00	0.44

TABLE 6-13. French Scale Conversion Table.

The standard French, or Charrière, scale (abbreviated F or Fr) is generally used in the size calibration of catheters and other tubular instruments. It is based on the metric system, with each unit being approximately 0.33 mm, with a difference of 0.33 mm in diameter between consecutive sizes. Example: 27F indicates a diameter of 9 mm; 30F, a diameter of 10 mm.

A convenient conversion table from the French scale to the English and American scales that is sometimes used for certain instruments is given below.

TABLE 6-14.

International System of Units (SI) Conversion Guide^*

					Conversion Factor
Analyte			Fluid	Traditional units	Multiply (×)→	SI units
					←Divide (÷)
ACTH (adrenocorticotropin; corticotropin)			Plasma	pg/mL	0.2202	pmol/L
ALT (alanine aminotransferase; SGPT)			Serum	mg/dL	1	U/L
Albumin			Serum	g/dl	10	g/L
Aldosterone			Serum	ng/dL	27.74	pmol/L
Ammonia (NH3)			Plasma	μg/dL	0.5872	μmol/L
Ammonium (NH4+)			Plasma	μg/dL	0.5543	μmol/L
Amylase			Serum	units/L	1	U/L
Antibodies			Serum	Highest possible dilution	1	Highest possible dilution
AST (aspartate aminotransferase; SGOT)			Serum	units/L	1	U/L
Bile acids (total)			Serum	μg/mL	2.547	μmol/L
Bilirubin (total)			Serum	mg/dL	17.1	μmol/L
Blood gases:			Arterial blood
	PCO2			mm Hg	0.1333	kPa
	pH			pH units	1	pH units
	PO2			mm Hg	0.1333	kPa
BUN (blood urea nitrogen)			Serum	mg/dL	0.357	mmol/L of urea
Calcium			Serum	mg/dL	0.250	mmol/L
Calcium, ionized (iCa)			Serum, plasma	mEq/L	0.500	mmol/L
CBC (complete blood count):			Whole blood
	Hematocrit		%	0.01	as a fraction of 1
	Hemoglobin		g/dL	10	g/L
	MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin)		pg	1	pg
	MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration)		g/dL	10	g/L
MCV (mean corpuscular volume)				um2	1	fL
	Platelet count			103/mm3	1	109/L
	Reticulocyte count			No. per 1000 RBCs	0.001	as a fraction of 1
	Reticulocyte count			As a%	0.01	as a fraction of 1
	Differential cell count
	Neutrophils (segmented)			cells/mm3 (μL)	1	106 cells/L
	Neutrophils (band)			cells/mm3	1
		Lymphocytes		cells/mm3	1
		Monocytes		cells/mm3	1
		Eosinophils		cells/mm3	1
		Basophils		cells/mm3	1
Cholesterol (total)			Serum	mg/dL	0.02586	mmol/L
CK (creatine kinase)			Serum	Units/L	1	U/L
Cortisol			Serum, plasma	μg/dL 27.	59	nmol/L
Cortisol (free)			Urine	μg/24 hours	2.759	nmol/day
Creatinine			Serum	mg/dL	88.4	mol/L
Electrolytes
	Chloride		Serum	mEq/L	1	mmol/L
	CO2 (bicarbonate)		Whole blood	mEq/L	1	mmol/L
	Potassium		Serum	mEq/L	1	mmol/L
	Sodium		Serum	mEq/L	1	mmol/L
Fibrinogen (coagulation factor I)			Plasma	g/dL	29.41	mol/L
				or	0.01	g/L
				mg/dL
Fibrin (fibrin degradation products)			Serum	μg/mL	1	mg/L
GGT (gamma glutamyl transferase)			Serum	Units/L	1	U/L
Glucose			Serum	mg/dL	0.05551	mmol/L
Insulin			Serum	μU/ml 7	.175	pmol/L
				mU/L	7.175	pmol/L
				μg/L	172.2	pmol/L
Lead			Plasma	g/dL	0.04826	μmol/L
				mg/dL	48.26	μmol/L
Lipase			Serum	units/L	1	U/L
Magnesium			Serum	mg/dL	0.4114	mmol/L
				mEq/L	0.500	mmol/L
Phosphorus			Serum	mg/dL	0.3229	mmol/L
Plasminogen			Plasma	%	0.01	as a fraction of 1
Protein (total)			Serum	g/dL	10	g/L
Protein (spinal fluid)			CSF	mg/dL	0.01	g/L
PT (prothrombin time)			Plasma	seconds	1	seconds
PTT (partial thromboplastin time)			Plasma	seconds	1	seconds
Thyroid tests:
	TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)		Serum	μU/mL 1 mU/L
	T4 (thyroxine)		Serum	μg/dL 12.87 nmol/L
	Thyroxine, free T4		Serum	ng/dL	12.87	pmol/L
	T3 (triiodothyronine)		Serum	ng/dL	0.01536	nmol/L

^*Presented in alphabetical order.

TABLE 6-15.

Units of Length, Volume, and Mass in the Metric System

Prefix	Multiply by	Factor
milli-	0.001 (1/1000)	×10−3
centi-	0.01 (1/100)	×10−2
deci-	0.1 (1/10)	×10−1
deka-	10	×10
hecto-	100	×102
kilo-	1000	×103
Parameter	Unit	Abbreviations
The standard unit of volume in the metric system is the liter.	1 milliliter = 0.001 liter	1 milliliter = 1 mL = 1 cc1
	1 centiliter = 0.01 liter	1 centiliter = 1 cL
	1 deciliter = 0.1 liter	1 deciliter = 1 dL
	1 liter	1 liter = 1 L
	1 kiloliter = 1000 liters	1 kiloliter = 1 kL
The standard unit of mass in the metric system is the gram.	1 milligram = 0.001 gram	1 milligram = 1 mg
	1 centigram = 0.01 gram	1 centigram = 1 cg
	1 decigram = 0.1 gram	1 decigram = 1 dg
	1 gram	1 gram = 1 g
	1 kilogram = 1000 grams	1 kilogram = 1 kg
The standard unit of length in the metric system is the meter.	1 millimeter = 0.001 meter	1 millimeter = 1 mm
	1 centimeter = 0.01 meter	1 centimeter = 1 cm
	1 meter	1 meter = 1 m
	1 decimeter = 0.1 meter	1 decimeter = 1 dm
	1 kilometer = 1000 meters	1 kilometer = 1 km

¹1 cc (or cubic centimeter) = 1 cm³ = 1 mL.

ANNUALIZED VACCINATION PROTOCOLS AND CRITERIA DEFINING RISK FOR THE DOG AND CAT

The fact that the canine and feline criteria recommend triennial vaccination for certain vaccines in no way stipulates that adult dogs and cats should only be vaccinated every 3 years. In fact, annual vaccination does represent a high standard of medical care, as long as the vaccination appointment incorporates a thorough health/wellness examination. Considering the large population of pet dogs and cats and the remarkable spectrum of risk factors for exposure to infectious pathogens, it is quite unreasonable to assume that a single vaccination protocol would be applicable in all patients seen in practice. Two of the most important variables to consider when assessing risk are the age of the patient and the patient's “lifestyle.” In implementing a vaccination protocol in clinical practice, it is critical that the clinician consider these factors when recommending core, or non-core, vaccines for an individual patient.

The following tables exemplify annualized vaccination protocols for dogs and cats at moderate risk (applies to most), high risk, and low risk of exposure to infectious agents while also taking into consideration the recommendations set forth in the canine and feline criteria.

Additional Reading

Richards J, Rodan I, Elston T, et al: 2000 Report of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines, Nashville, Tenn.

Report of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Vaccine Task Force: 2003 Canine and Recommendations. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 39:119-131, 2003. (The complete report, including supporting literature, is available to AAHA members at www.aahanet.org.)

Ford RB (ed): Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, May 2001.

TABLE 6-16.

Types of Vaccines Licensed for Use in Dogs in the United States

Vaccine type	Core vs. non-core	Recommended vaccination interval for administration of booster inoculations	Minimum duration of immunity
Distemper: modified live (parenteral)	Core	3 years	5+ to 7+ years (depending on strain)
Recombinant distemper (parenteral)	Core	3 years	3 years+
Distemper-measles: modified live (parenteral)	Non-core	Not indicated	Not applicable
Parvovirus: modified live (parenteral)	Core	3 years	7+ years
Parvovirus: killed (parenteral)	Non-core	Annual	1 year (studies are not available)
Coronavirus: modified live (parenteral)	NR	Not indicated	Cannot be determined
Coronavirus: killed (parenteral)	NR	Not indicated	Cannot be determined
Canine adenovirus-2: modified live (parenteral)	Core	3 years	7+ years
Canine adenovirus-2: modified live (topical)	Core	3 years	7+ years
Canine adenovirus-2: killed (parenteral)	Non-core	Annual	Unknown
Canine adenovirus-1: modified live & killed (parenteral)	NR	DO NOT USE	Unknown
Parainfluenza virus: modified live (parenteral)	Non-core	3 years	5 + years
Parainfluenza virus: modified live (topical)	Non-core	3 years	5 + years (preferred)
Bordetella bronchiseptica: killed (parenteral)	Non-core	Annual	∼12 months
Bordetella bronchiseptica: avirulent live (topical)	Non-core	Annual	∼12 months
Bordetella bronchiseptica: antigen extract (parenteral)	Non-core	Annual	1 year
Leptospira var. canicola	Non-core	Annual	Not definitively established (antibody
Leptospira var. icterhemorrhagiae	Non-core	Annual	titers persist for approximately
Leptospira var. pomona	Non-core	Annual	3 months in dogs that seroconvert
Leptospira var. grippotyphosa	Non-core	Annual	following an initial vaccination series)
Recombinant Lyme (parenteral)	Non-core	Annual	1 year
Lyme: killed (parenteral)	Non-core	Annual	1 year
Crotalus atrox (Rattlesnake vaccine)	Non-core	Annual or as recommended by manufacturer based on risk	Unknown (license is conditional at this writing—challenge studies in dogs have not been performed)
Giardia lamblia: killed (parenteral)	NR	Not applicable	Is not known to prevent infection
Rabies,1-year: killed (parenteral)	Core	As defined by local/state law	3+ years
Rabies,3-year: killed (parenteral)	Core	As defined by local/state law	3+ years

NR, Not Generally Recommended.

TABLE 6-17.

Types of Vaccines Licensed for Use in Cats in the United States

Vaccine type	Adjuvanted vs. non-adjuvanted	Core vs. non-core	Recommended vaccination interval for administration of booster inoculations	Minimum duration of immunity
Panleukopenia: modified live (parenteral)	Non-adjuvanted	Core	3 years	7+ years
Panleukopenia: killed (parenteral)	Adjuvanted	Non-core	Annual	5+ years
Panleukopenia: modified live (topical)	Non-adjuvant	Non-core	3 years	Not known to be more than 1 year…but is likely
Herpesvirus-calicivirus: modified live (parenteral)	Non-adjuvanted	Core	3 years	5+ years
Herpesvirus-calicivirus: killed (parenteral)	Adjuvanted	Non-core	Annual	5+ years
Herpesvirus-calicivirus: modified live (topical)	Non-adjuvanted	Non-core	Annual (3 year duration of immunity is likely)	Not known…but expected to be at least 2 years
Chlamydophilia felis: killed	Adjuvanted	Non-core	Annual	1 year (maximum)
Chlamydophilia felis: live, avirulent	Non-adjuvanted	Non-core	Annual
Recombinant feline leukemia	Non-adjuvant	Non-core*	Annual	1 year
Feline leukemia virus: killed	Adjuvanted	Non-core*	Annual	1 year
Feline immunodeficiency virus: killed	Adjuvanted	Non-core†	Annual	1 year
Feline infectious peritonitis: modified live (topical)	Non-adjuvanted	NR	Not applicable	Does not confer protective immunity
Bordetella bronchiseptica: modified live (topical)	Non-adjuvanted	Non-core	Annual	1 year
Giardia lamblia: killed (parenteral)	Adjuvanted	NR	Not applicable	Is not known to prevent infection
Microsporum canis: killed	Adjuvanted		Vaccine has been discontinued
Recombinant rabies (parenteral)	Non-adjuvanted	Core	Annual	3 years
Rabies,1-year: killed (parenteral)	Adjuvanted	Core	Annual	3+ years
Rabies,3-year: killed (parenteral)	Adjuvanted	Core	3 years (as required by law)	3+ years

^*Because of the high susceptibility for infection in kittens, several authors have recommended FeLV vaccine be classified as core through the first year of life, then non-core thereafter.

^†The Recombinant (Transdermal) FeLV vaccine and FIV vaccine were not licensed in 2000 when the latest iteration of the feline vaccine guidelines was published. The “Non-Core” classification is the author's recommendation.

TABLE 6-18.

Annualized Vaccination Protocol for Dogs at Moderate Risk^*

Age at vaccination	Vaccine
6–8 weeks	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Optional:
		+Parainfluenza virus
10–12 weeks	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Rabies (1 dose at 12,14, or 16 weeks)†
	Optional:
		+Parainfluenza virus
		+B. bronchiseptica (killed parenteral,2 doses required,3–4 weeks apart)‡
		+Leptospirosis (serovars as indicated at 12 weeks or older)
14–16 weeks	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Rabies (now or at 12 weeks)
	Optional:
		+Parainfluenza virus
		+B. bronchiseptica (Live-intranasal,1 dose or the 2nd killed-parenteral dose)
		+Leptospirosis (serovars as indicated)
+1 year	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Rabies (booster required)
	Optional:
		+B. bronchiseptica (intranasal or parenteral)
		+Parainfluenza
		+Leptospirosis (serovars as indicated)
+2 years	Optional:
		+B. bronchiseptica (intranasal or parenteral)
		+Leptospirosis (serovars as indicated)
+3 years	Optional:
		+B. bronchiseptica (intranasal or parenteral)
		+Leptospirosis (serovars as indicated)
+4 years	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Rabies
	Optional:
		+B. bronchiseptica (parenteral)
		+Parainfluenza
		+Leptospirosis (serovars as indicated)
+5 years	Optional:
		+B. bronchiseptica (parenteral)
		+Leptospirosis (serovars as indicated)
+6 years	Optional:
		+B. bronchiseptica (parenteral)
		+Leptospirosis (serovars as indicated)
+7 years	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Rabies
	Optional:
		+B. bronchiseptica (parenteral)
		+Parainfluenza
		+Leptospirosis (serovars as indicated)
Beyond 7 years	Cycle repeats as indicated
Defining criteria for MODERATE RISK-canine (applies to most dogs) 1. B. bronchiseptica vaccination is indicated if: • Dog is ever boarded in a commercial kennel, or • Dog requires occasional grooming, or • Dog regularly has supervised walks/runs outside with likelihood of contact with other dogs. 2. Parainfluenza vaccination is indicated if: • Dog is ever boarded in a commercial kennel, or • Dog requires occasional grooming, or • Dog regularly has supervised walks/runs outside with likelihood of contact with other dogs. • NOTE: Parainfluenza vaccine is combined with all intranasal B. bronchiseptica vaccines. 3. Leptospira vaccination is indicated if: • The dog is 12 weeks of age or older, and • Dog has opportunities for unsupervised outdoor activities, or • Cases of leptospirosis are known to have been confirmed in the area, or • Dog has access (supervised or otherwise) to areas inhabited by “reservoir” hosts (eg: opossum, skunk, raccoon, vole) or other domestic animals such as cattle or pigs (horses). • NOTE: risk of exposure is not limited to rural areas. 4. Lyme borreliosis vaccination is not indicated unless: • Dog will travel to known endemic areas (Northeastern US or upper Midwest) and will spend time outside, or • Lyme borreliosis cases have been diagnosed (via IDEXX Snap 3Dx or Western Blot analysis) in the community, or • Dog is not receiving any form of topical tick preventative (eg, fipronil).

MLV, modified live virus.

^*For any vaccine preceded by “+,” see defining criteria.

^†In some states or municipalities, annual rabies vaccination may be required.

^‡All intranasal B. bronchiseptica vaccines also contain parainfluenza virus; some also contain canine adenovirus-2.

TABLE 6-19.

Annualized Vaccination Protocol for Dogs at Low Risk^*

Age at vaccination	Vaccine
6–8 weeks	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Optional:
		+Parainfluenza virus
10–12 weeks	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
		Rabies (1 dose at 12,14, or 16 weeks)†
	Optional:
		+Parainfluenza virus
14–16 weeks	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
		Rabies (now or at 12 weeks)‡
	Optional:
		+Parainfluenza virus
+1 year	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Rabies (required in most states)
	Optional:
		+Parainfluenza
+2 years	Health examination
	Non-core vaccines considered if risk assessment changes
	Health examination
+3 years	Non-core vaccines considered if risk assessment changes
+4 years	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Rabies (required in most states)
	Optional:
		+Parainfluenza
+5 years	Health examination
	Non-core vaccines considered if risk assessment changes
+6 years	Health examination
	Non-core vaccines considered if risk assessment changes
+7 years	Distemper
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
		Rabies (required in most states)
	Optional:
		+Parainfluenza
Beyond 7 years	Cycle repeats as indicated
Defining criteria for LOW RISK-canine (only CORE vaccines need be administered) 1. B. bronchiseptica is NOT indicated because: • Dog is never boarded in a commercial kennel. • Grooming is not an issue. • Dog lives exclusively indoors. • Dog has no exposure to other dogs (does occur…but is rare) 2. Parainfluenza vaccination is indicated if: • Dog is ever boarded in a commercial kennel, or • Dog requires occasional grooming, or • Dog regularly has supervised walks/runs outside with likelihood of contact with other dogs. • NOTE: Parainfluenza vaccine is combined with all intranasal B. bronchiseptica vaccines. 3. Leptospira canicola, L. icterohemorrhagiae, L. pomona, and L. grippotyphosa are NOT indicated because: • There is NO exposure to other dogs. • There is NO opportunity for unsupervised outdoor activities. • The dog lives exclusively indoors. • Leptospirosis is not known to occur in the area. 3. Lyme borreliosis is NOT indicated because: • Dog does not reside in a known Lyme borreliosis endemic area. • Dog does not travel to known endemic areas. • Dog neither lives in or travels into a known tick-vector area. • Dog is reliably treated with topical flea/tick preparation. • Dog has never known a tick and never will.

MLV, modified live virus.

^*For any vaccine preceded by “+,” see defining criteria.

^†All intranasal B. bronchiseptica vaccines also contain parainfluenza virus; some also contain canine adenovirus-2.

^‡In some states or municipalities, annual rabies vaccination may be required.

TABLE 6-20.

Annualized Vaccination Protocol for Dogs at High Risk^*

Age at vaccination	Vaccine
6–8 weeks	Distemper (recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Parainfluenza
	B. bronchiseptica [intranasal recommended]†
10–12 weeks	Distemper (recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Parainfluenza
	Rabies (at 12,14, or 16 weeks)‡
	B. bronchiseptica [intranasal recommended]
	Optional:
	+Leptospirosis
	+Lyme borreliosis (recombinant)
14–16 weeks	Distemper (recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Parainfluenza
	B. bronchiseptica [intranasal recommended]
	Rabies (now or at 12 weeks)
	Optional:
	+Leptospirosis
	+Lyme borreliosis (recombinant)
+1 year	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Parainfluenza
	B. bronchiseptica (intranasal or parenteral)
	Rabies (required)
	Optional:
	+Leptospirosis
	+Lyme borreliosis (recombinant)
+2 years	B. bronchiseptica (intranasal or parenteral)
	Optional:
	+Leptospirosis
	+Lyme borreliosis (recombinant)
+3 years	B. bronchiseptica (intranasal or parenteral)
	Optional:
	+Leptospirosis
	+Lyme borreliosis (recombinant)
+4 years	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Parainfluenza
	B. bronchiseptica (intranasal or parenteral)
	Rabies (required)
	Optional:
	+Leptospirosis
	+Lyme borreliosis (recombinant)
+5 years	B. bronchiseptica (intranasal or parenteral)
	Optional:
	+Leptospirosis
	+Lyme borreliosis (recombinant)
+6 years	B. bronchiseptica (intranasal or parenteral)
	Optional:
	+Leptospirosis
	+Lyme borreliosis (recombinant)
+7 years	Distemper (MLV or recombinant)
	Parvovirus
	Adenovirus-2
	Parainfluenza
	B. bronchiseptica (intranasal or parenteral)
	Rabies (required)
	Optional:
	+Leptospirosis
	+Lyme borreliosis (recombinant)
Beyond 7 years	Cycle repeats as indicated
Defining criteria for HIGH RISK-canine 1. B. bronchiseptica booster is indicated because: • Dog is regularly boarded in a commercial kennel. • Dog is routinely groomed at a facility where other dogs are maintained. • Dog is regularly allowed outdoors and is unsupervised. • Dog has regular exposure to other, unknown dogs. • Dog is on a first-name basis with animal control officers. 2. Annual Leptospira spp booster is indicated if: • Dog lives outside and is not constrained to a gated kennel. • Dog lives on a farm and has ample outdoor activity. • Dog is regularly allowed to roam freely. • Dog is exclusively outdoors. • Dog is used for hunting or other extended outdoor activity. • Cases of leptospirosis are known to have been confirmed in the area. • Dog has access (supervised or otherwise) to areas inhabited by “reservior” hosts (e.g., opossum, skunk, raccoon, vole) or other domestic animals such as cattle or pigs (horses?). 3. Annual Lyme borreliosis booster is indicated if: • Dog resides in a known Lyme borreliosis endemic area (eg: Northeastern US or Upper Midwest). • Dog resides outside most or all of the time and does have tick exposure. • Dog regularly travels to known endemic areas. • Cases of Lyme borreliosis have been identified by serologic testing (IDEXX Snap 3Dx or Western Blot) among dogs in the patient population. • Dog is inconsistently treated with topical flea/tick preparation. • Dog is only treated with OTC tick preparations. • Ticks are known to be constant companions for this dog.

^*For any vaccine preceded by “+,” see defining criteria.

^†All intranasal B. bronchiseptica vaccines also contain parainfluenza virus; some also contain canine adenovirus-2.

^‡In some states or municipalities, annual rabies vaccination may be required.

TABLE 6-21.

Annualized Vaccination Protocol for Cats at Moderate Risk^*

Age at vaccination	Vaccine
9–10 weeks	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	Optional:
	+FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
12–14 weeks	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+Rabies (recombinant)†
	Optional:
	+FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
+1 year	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Optional:
	+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
+2 years	+ Rabies (recombinant, transdermal)
+3 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Panleukopenia (MLV)
+4 years	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+5 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+6 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Panleukopenia (MLV)
+7 years	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+8 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+9 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+10 years	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
Beyond 10 years	Cycle repeats as indicated
Defining criteria for MODERATE RISK-feline (applies to most cats) 1. FeLV vaccine is indicated if: • The cat lives indoors predominantly, but not exclusively … and • The cat is less than 6 months of age … and • The cat is known to occasionally have contact with other cats of unknown health status … or • Other cats in the household are known to be FeLV infected • Other cats live in the household but are of unknown FeLV status … or • Other cats in the household are known to roam at will, or • Owner may bring stray cats into the houshold. 2. Bordetella bronchiseptica and Chlamydophila felis vaccines are not indicated because: • The cat is an adult (current literature suggests that clinical B. bronchiseptica infections are most likely to occur in kittens), … and • The cat does not have exposure to other cats, … and • Any other cats in the household are known to be strictly indoor cats … and • Owner is unlikely to bring stray cats into the household. 3. Rabies vaccination in cats • Is NOT required by many states and municipalities;however, in accordance with the Feline Vaccination Guidelines, rabies is a CORE vaccine and is highly recommended for all cats.

MLV, modified live virus.

^*For any vaccine preceded by “+,” see defining criteria.

^†Although administration of rabies vaccine to cats may not be required by state or local statutes, it is recommended for all cats, regardless of risk.

TABLE 6-22.

Annualized Vaccination Protocol for Cats at Low Risk^*

Age at vaccination	Vaccine
9–10 weeks	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
12–14 weeks	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)†
+ 1 year	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+ 2 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+ 3 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+ 4 years	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+ 5 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+ 6 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+ 7 years	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+ 8 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+ 9 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
+ 10 years	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
Beyond 10 years	Cycle repeats as indicated
Defining criteria for low risk-feline (protocol centers around CORE vaccines) 1. FeLV and FIV vaccines are not indicated because: • Cat is known to be a strictly indoor cat, and • Any other cats in the household are known to be both FeLV and FIV-free and were tested within the last 12 months, and • Other cats in the household are known to be strictly indoor cats. • Owner does not bring stray cats into the household. 2. Bordetella bronchiseptica and Chlamydophila felis vaccines are not indicated because: • The cat is an adult (current literature suggests that clinical B. bronchiseptica infections are most likely to occur in kittens), and • The cat does not have exposure to other cats, and • Any other cats in the household are known to be strictly indoor cats. • Owner does not bring stray cats into the household. 3. Rabies vaccination in cats • Is NOT required by many states and municipalities; however, in accordance with the Feline Vaccination Guidelines, rabies is a CORE vaccine and is highly recommended for all cats.

MLV, modified live virus.

^*For any vaccine preceded by “+,” see defining criteria.

^†Although administration of rabies vaccine to cats may not be required by state or local statutes, it is recommended for all cats, regardless of risk.

TABLE 6-23.

Annualized Vaccination Protocol for Cats at High Risk^*

Age at vaccination	Vaccine
9–10 weeks	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	Optional:
	MOPEPOΩΣ	+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)†
		+ FIV
12–14 weeks	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)‡
	Optional:
		+ FeLV (non-adjuvanted)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)
		+ FIV
+ 1 year	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Optional:
		+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)
		+ FIV
+ 2 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Optional:
		+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)
		+ FIV
+ 3 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Optional:
		+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)
		+ FIV
+ 4 years	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Optional:
		+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)
		+ FIV
+ 5 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Optional:
		+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)
		+ FIV
+ 6 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Optional:
		+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)
		+ FIV
+ 7 years	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Optional:
		+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)
		+ FIV
+ 8 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Optional:
		+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)
		+ FIV
+ 9 years	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Optional:
		+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)
		+ FIV
+ 10 years	Panleukopenia (MLV)
	Herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus (MLV)
	+ Rabies (recombinant)
	Optional:
		+ FeLV (recombinant, transdermal)
		+ B. bronchiseptica
		+ Chlamydophila (non-adjuvanted)
		+ FIV
Beyond 10 years	Cycle repeats as indicated
Defining criteria for HIGH RISK-feline 1. Both FeLV and FIV vaccines are indicated because: • Cat is known to roam at will and engage in fighting (risk of FIV in male cats is 4X greater than in female cats), or • There is likely exposure to other cats with unknown health status, or • There are other cats in the household that are known to roam at will and engage in fighting…or • Owner regularly adopts (or hoards) cats. 2. Bordetella bronchiseptica and Chlamydophila felis vaccines are indicated because: • The cat is a kitten and resides within a cluster household (current literature suggests that clinical B. bronchiseptica infections are most likely to occur in kittens), or • The cat has regular exposure to other cats of unknown health status, or • There are other cats in the household known to roam at will and have contact with other cats … or • Owner regularly adopts (or hoards) cats. 3. Rabies vaccination in cats: • Is NOT required by many states and municipalities; however, in accordance with the Feline Vaccination Guidelines, rabies is a CORE vaccine and is highly recommended for all cats.

MLV, modified live virus.

^*For any vaccine preceded by “+,” see defining criteria.

^†Chlamydia psittaci has been renamed Chlamydophila felis (the name on vaccine label may not reflect the new classification).

^‡Although administration of rabies vaccine to cats may not be required by state or local statutes, it is recommended for all cats, regardless of risk.

TABLE 6-24. Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2005**The material in this report originated at the National Center for Infectious Diseases (Anne Schuchat, MD, Acting Director), and the Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases (James W. LeDuc, PhD, Director)., National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc. (NASPHV)††The NASPHV Committee: Suzanne R. Jenkins, VMD, MPH, Co-Chair; Mira J. Leslie, DVM, MPH, Co-Chair; Michael Auslander, DVM, MSPH; Lisa Conti, DVM, MPH; Paul Ettestad, DVM, MS; Faye E. Sorhage, VMD, MPH; and Ben Sun, DVM, MPVM.Consultants to the Committee: Donna M. Gatewood, DVM, MS, Center for Veterinary Biologics, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); Ellen Mangione, MD, MPH, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE); Lorraine Moule, National Animal Control Association (NACA); Greg Pruitt, Animal Health Institute; Charles E. Rupprecht, VMD, MS, PhD, CDC; John Schiltz, DVM, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA); Charles V. Trimarchi, MS, New York State Health Department; and Dennis Slate, PhD, Wildlife Services, USDA.This compendium has been endorsed by AVMA, CDC, CSTE, and NACA. Corresponding author: Mira J. Leslie, DVM, MPH, Washington Department of Health, Communicable Disease Epidemiology, 1610 NE 150th Street, MS K17-9, Shoreline, WA 98155-9701.

Rabies is a fatal viral zoonosis and a serious public health problem.¹ The recommendations in this compendium serve as the basis for animal rabies prevention and control programs throughout the United States and facilitate standardization of procedures among jurisdictions, thereby contributing to an effective national rabies-control program. This document is reviewed annually and revised as necessary. Principles of rabies prevention and control are detailed in Part I; Part II contains recommendations for parenteral vaccination procedures. All animal rabies vaccines licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and marketed in the United States are listed in Part III.

Part I: Rabies prevention and control

• A.
  Principles of rabies prevention and control

  • 1.
    Rabies exposure. Rabies is transmitted only when the virus is introduced into bite wounds, open cuts in skin, or onto mucous membranes from saliva or other potentially infectious material such as neural tissue.² Questions about possible exposures should be directed to state or local health authorities.
  • 2.
    Human rabies prevention. Rabies in humans can be prevented either by eliminating exposures to rabid animals or by providing exposed persons with prompt local treatment of wounds combined with the administration of human rabies immune globulin and vaccine. The rationale for recommending preexposure and postexposure rabies prophylaxis and details of their administration can be found in the current recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).² These recommendations, along with information concerning the current local and regional epidemiology of animal rabies and the availability of human rabies biologics, are available from state health departments.
  • 3.
    Domestic animals. Local governments should initiate and maintain effective programs to ensure vaccination of all dogs, cats, and ferrets and to remove strays and unwanted animals. Such procedures in the United States have reduced laboratory-confirmed cases of rabies in dogs from 6949 in 1947 to 117 in 2003.³ Because more rabies cases are reported annually involving cats (321 in 2003) than dogs, vaccination of cats should be required. Animal shelters and animal control authorities should establish policies to ensure that adopted animals are vaccinated against rabies. The recommended vaccination procedures and the licensed animal vaccines are specified in Parts II and III of the compendium.
  • 4.
    Rabies in vaccinated animals. Rabies is rare in vaccinated animals.⁴ If such an event is suspected, it should be reported to state public health officials; the vaccine manufacturer; and USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Center for Veterinary Biologics (Internet: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/cvb/ic/adverseeventreport.htm, telephone: 800-752-6255, or e-mail: CVB@usda.gov). The laboratory diagnosis should be confirmed and the virus characterized by a rabies reference laboratory. A thorough epidemiologic investigation should be conducted.
  • 5.
    Rabies in wildlife. The control of rabies among wildlife reservoirs is difficult.⁵ Vaccination of free-ranging wildlife or selective population reduction might be useful in some situations, but the success of such procedures depends on the circumstances surrounding each rabies outbreak (see Part I. C. Control Methods in Wildlife). Because of the risk of rabies in wild animals (especially raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, and bats), AVMA, NASPHV, and CSTE strongly recommend the enactment and enforcement of state laws prohibiting their importation, distribution, and relocation.
  • 6.
    Rabies surveillance. Laboratory-based rabies surveillance is an essential component of rabies control and prevention programs. Accurate and timely information is necessary to guide human postexposure prophylaxis decisions, determine the management of potentially exposed animals, aid in emerging pathogen discovery, describe the epidemiology of the disease, and assess the need for and effectiveness of oral vaccination programs for wildlife.
  • 7.
    Rabies diagnosis. Rabies testing should be performed by a qualified laboratory that has been designated by the local or state health department⁶ in accordance with the established national standardized protocol for rabies testing (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/Professional/publications/DFA_diagnosis/DFA_protocol-b.htm). Euthanasia⁷ should be accomplished in such a way as to maintain the integrity of the brain so that the laboratory can recognize the anatomic parts. Except in the case of very small animals, such as bats, only the head or brain (including brainstem) should be submitted to the laboratory. Any animal or animal specimen being submitted for testing should be kept under refrigeration (not frozen or chemically fixed) during storage and shipping.
  • 8.
    Rabies serology. Some “rabies-free” jurisdictions may require evidence of vaccination and rabies antibodies for importation purposes. Rabies antibody titers are indicative of an animal's response to vaccine or infection. Titers do not directly correlate with protection because other immunologic factors also play a role in preventing rabies, and our abilities to measure and interpret those other factors are not well developed. Therefore, evidence of circulating rabies virus antibodies should not be used as a substitute for current vaccination in managing rabies exposures or determining the need for booster vaccinations in animals.⁸
• B.
  Prevention and control methods in domestic and confined animals

  • 1.
    Preexposure vaccination and management. Parenteral animal rabies vaccines should be administered only by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. Rabies vaccinations may also be administered under the supervision of a veterinarian to animals held in animal control shelters prior to release. Any veterinarian signing a rabies certificate must ensure that the person administering vaccine is identified on the certificate and is appropriately trained in vaccine storage, handling, and administration and in the management of adverse events. This practice ensures that a qualified and responsible person can be held accountable to ensure that the animal has been properly vaccinated.
    Within 28 days after primary vaccination, a peak rabies antibody titer is reached and the animal can be considered immunized. An animal is currently vaccinated and is considered immunized if the primary vaccination was administered at least 28 days previously and vaccinations have been administered in accordance with this compendium.
    Regardless of the age of the animal at initial vaccination, a booster vaccination should be administered 1 year later (see Parts II and III for vaccines and procedures). No laboratory or epidemiologic data exist to support the annual or biennial administration of 3-year vaccines following the initial series. Because a rapid anamnestic response is expected, an animal is considered currently vaccinated immediately after a booster vaccination.

    • a.
      Dogs, cats, and ferrets. All dogs, cats, and ferrets should be vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated in accordance with Part III of this compendium. If a previously vaccinated animal is overdue for a booster, it should be revaccinated. Immediately following the booster, the animal is considered currently vaccinated and should be placed on an annual or triennial schedule depending on the type of vaccine used.
    • b.
      Livestock. Consideration should be given to vaccinating livestock that are particularly valuable or that might have frequent contact with humans (e.g., in petting zoos, fairs, and other public exhibitions).9, 10 Horses traveling interstate should be currently vaccinated against rabies.
    • c.
      Confined animals.

      • 1)
        Wild. No parenteral rabies vaccines are licensed for use in wild animals or hybrids (the offspring of wild animals crossbred to domestic animals). Wild animals or hybrids should not be kept as pets.11, 12, 13, 14
      • 2)
        Maintained in exhibits and in zoological parks. Captive mammals that are not completely excluded from all contact with rabies vectors can become infected. Moreover, wild animals might be incubating rabies when initially captured; therefore, wild-caught animals susceptible to rabies should be quarantined for a minimum of 6 months before being exhibited. Employees who work with animals at such facilities should receive preexposure rabies vaccination. The use of pre- or postexposure rabies vaccinations for employees who work with animals at such facilities might reduce the need for euthanasia of captive animals. Carnivores and bats should be housed in a manner that precludes direct contact with the public.
      • 3)
        Stray animals. Stray dogs, cats, and ferrets should be removed from the community. Local health departments and animal control officials can enforce the removal of strays more effectively if owned animals have identification and are confined or kept on leash. Strays should be impounded for at least 3 business days to determine if human exposure has occurred and to give owners sufficient time to reclaim animals.
  • 2.
    Importation and interstate movement of animals.

    • a.
      International. The CDC regulates the importation of dogs and cats into the United States. Importers of dogs must comply with rabies vaccination requirements (42 CFR, Part 71.51[c] [http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal.htm]) and complete CDC form 75.37 (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/cdc7537-05-24-04.pdf). The appropriate health official of the state of destination should be notified within 72 hours of the arrival into his or her jurisdiction of any imported dog required to be placed in confinement under the CDC regulation. Failure to comply with these requirements should be promptly reported to the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, CDC (telephone: 404-498-1670).
      Federal regulations alone are insufficient to prevent the introduction of rabid animals into the country.15, 16 All imported dogs and cats are subject to state and local laws governing rabies and should be currently vaccinated against rabies in accordance with this compendium. Failure to comply with state or local requirements should be referred to the appropriate state or local official.
    • b.
      Interstate. Before interstate (including commonwealths and territories) movement, dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses should be currently vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the compendium's recommendations (see Part I. B.1. Preexposure Vaccination and Management). Animals in transit should be accompanied by a currently valid NASPHV Form 51, Rabies Vaccination Certificate (http://www.nasphv.org/83416/106001.html). When an interstate health certificate or certificate of veterinary inspection is required, it should contain the same rabies vaccination information as Form 51.
    • c.
      Areas with dog-to-dog rabies transmission. The movement of dogs from areas with dog-to-dog rabies transmission for the purpose of adoption or sale should be eliminated. Rabid dogs have been introduced into the United States from areas with dog-to-dog rabies transmission.15, 16 This practice poses the risk of introducing canine-transmitted rabies to areas where it does not currently exist.
  • 3.
    Adjunct procedures. Methods or procedures which enhance rabies control include the following:

    • a.
      Identification. Dogs, cats, and ferrets should be identified (e.g., metal or plastic tags or microchips) to allow for verification of rabies vaccination status.
    • b.
      Licensure. Registration or licensure of all dogs, cats, and ferrets may be used to aid in rabies control. A fee is frequently charged for such licensure, and revenues collected are used to maintain rabies- or animal-control programs. Evidence of current vaccination is an essential prerequisite to licensure.
    • c.
      Canvassing. House-to-house canvassing by animal control officials facilitates enforcement of vaccination and licensure requirements.
    • d.
      Citations. Citations are legal summonses issued to owners for violations, including the failure to vaccinate or license their animals. The authority for officers to issue citations should be an integral part of each animal-control program.
    • e.
      Animal control. All communities should incorporate stray animal control, leash laws, and training of personnel in their programs.
  • 4.
    Postexposure management. Any animal potentially exposed to rabies virus (see Part I. A.1. Rabies Exposure) by a wild, carnivorous mammal or a bat that is not available for testing should be regarded as having been exposed to rabies.

    • a.
      Dogs, cats, and ferrets. Unvaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal should be euthanized immediately. If the owner is unwilling to have this done, the animal should be placed in strict isolation for 6 months. Rabies vaccine should be administered upon entry into isolation or 1 month prior to release to comply with preexposure vaccination recommendations (see Part I.B.1.a.). Protocols for the postexposure vaccination of previously unvaccinated domestic animals have not been validated, and evidence exists that the use of vaccine alone will not prevent the disease.¹⁷ Animals with expired vaccinations need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Dogs, cats, and ferrets that are currently vaccinated should be revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner's control, and observed for 45 days. Any illness in an isolated or confined animal should be reported immediately to the local health department.
    • b.
      Livestock. All species of livestock are susceptible to rabies; cattle and horses are among the most frequently infected. Livestock exposed to a rabid animal and currently vaccinated with a vaccine approved by USDA for that species should be revaccinated immediately and observed for 45 days. Unvaccinated livestock should be slaughtered immediately. If the owner is unwilling to have this done, the animal should be kept under close observation for 6 months. Any illness in an animal under observation should be reported immediately to the local health department.
      The following are recommendations for owners of livestock exposed to rabid animals:

      • 1)
        If the animal is slaughtered within 7 days of being bitten, its tissues may be eaten without risk of infection, provided that liberal portions of the exposed area are discarded. Federal guidelines for meat inspectors require that any animal known to have been exposed to rabies within 8 months be rejected for slaughter.
      • 2)
        Neither tissues nor milk from a rabid animal should be used for human or animal consumption.¹⁸ Pasteurization temperatures will inactivate rabies virus; therefore, drinking pasteurized milk or eating cooked meat does not constitute a rabies exposure.
      • 3)
        Having more than one rabid animal in a herd or having herbivore-to-herbivore transmission is uncommon; therefore, restricting the rest of the herd if a single animal has been exposed to or infected by rabies might not be necessary.
    • c.
      Other animals. Other mammals bitten by a rabid animal should be euthanized immediately. Animals maintained in USDA-licensed research facilities or accredited zoological parks should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • 5.
    Management of animals that bite humans

    • a.
      Dogs, cats, and ferrets. Rabies virus may be excreted in the saliva of infected dogs, cats, and ferrets during illness and/or for only a few days prior to illness or death.19, 20, 21 A healthy dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person should be confined and observed daily for 10 days²²; administration of rabies vaccine to the animal is not recommended during the observation period to avoid confusing signs of rabies with possible side effects of vaccine administration.
      Such animals should be evaluated by a veterinarian at the first sign of illness during confinement. Any illness in the animal should be reported immediately to the local health department. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal should be euthanized and the head shipped for testing as described in Part I.A.7. Any stray or unwanted dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person may be euthanized immediately and the head submitted for rabies examination.
    • b.
      Other biting animals. Other biting animals that might have exposed a person to rabies should be reported immediately to the local health department. Management of animals other than dogs, cats, and ferrets depends on the species, the circumstances of the bite, the epidemiology of rabies in the area, and the biting animal's history, current health status, and potential for exposure to rabies. Prior vaccination of these animals may not preclude the necessity for euthanasia and testing.
• C. Prevention and control methods related to wildlife
  The public should be warned not to handle or feed wild mammals. Wild mammals and hybrids that bite or otherwise expose persons, pets, or livestock should be considered for euthanasia and rabies examination. A person bitten by any wild mammal should immediately report the incident to a physician who can evaluate the need for antirabies treatment (see current rabies prophylaxis recommendations of the ACIP²). State-regulated wildlife rehabilitators may play a role in a comprehensive rabies control program. Minimum standards for persons who rehabilitate wild mammals should include rabies vaccination, appropriate training, and continuing education. Translocation of infected wildlife has contributed to the spread of rabies23, 24; therefore, the translocation of known terrestrial rabies reservoir species should be prohibited.

  • 1.
    Terrestrial mammals. The use of licensed oral vaccines for the mass vaccination of free-ranging wildlife should be considered in selected situations, with the approval of the state agency responsible for animal rabies control.⁵ The distribution of oral rabies vaccine should be based on scientific assessments of the target species and followed by timely and appropriate analysis of surveillance data; such results should be provided to all stakeholders. In addition, parenteral vaccination (trap-vaccinate-release) of wildlife rabies reservoirs may be integrated into coordinated oral rabies vaccination programs to enhance their effectiveness. Continuous and persistent programs for trapping or poisoning wildlife are not effective in reducing wildlife rabies reservoirs on a statewide basis. However, limited population control in high-contact areas (e.g., picnic grounds, camps, suburban areas) may be indicated for the removal of selected high-risk species of wildlife.5 State agriculture, public health, and wildlife agencies should be consulted for planning, coordination, and evaluation of vaccination or population-reduction programs.
  • 2.
    Bats. Indigenous rabid bats have been reported from every state except Hawaii and have caused rabies in at least 40 humans in the United States.25, 26, 27, 28, 29 Bats should be excluded from houses, public buildings, and adjacent structures to prevent direct association with humans.30, 31 Such structures should then be made bat-proof by sealing entrances used by bats. Controlling rabies in bats through programs designed to reduce bat populations is neither feasible nor desirable.

Part II: Recommendations for parenteral rabies vaccination procedures

• A. Vaccine administration

  All animal rabies vaccines should be restricted to use by, or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian³² except as recommended in Part I.B.1. All vaccines must be administered in accordance with the specifications of the product label or package insert.

• B. Vaccine selection

  Part III lists all vaccines licensed by USDA and marketed in the United States at the time of publication. New vaccine approvals or changes in label specifications made subsequent to publication should be considered as part of this list. Any of the listed vaccines can be used for revaccination, even if the product is not the same brand previously administered. Vaccines used in state and local rabies control programs should have a 3-year duration of immunity. This constitutes the most effective method of increasing the proportion of immunized dogs and cats in any population.³³ No laboratory or epidemiologic data exist to support the annual or biennial administration of 3-year vaccines following the initial series.

• C. Adverse events

  Currently, no epidemiologic association exists between a particular licensed vaccine product and adverse events, including vaccine failure.34, 35 Adverse events should be reported to the vaccine manufacturer and to USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Center for Veterinary Biologics (Internet: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/cvb/ic/adverseeventreport.htm; telephone: 800-752-6255; or e-mail: CVB@usda.gov).

• D. Wildlife and hybrid animal vaccination

  The safety and efficacy of parenteral rabies vaccination of wildlife and hybrids have not been established, and no rabies vaccines are licensed for these animals. Parenteral vaccination (trap-vaccinate-release) of wildlife rabies reservoirs may be integrated into coordinated oral rabies vaccination programs as described in Part I. C.1. to enhance their effectiveness. Zoos or research institutions may establish vaccination programs, which attempt to protect valuable animals, but these should not replace appropriate public health activities that protect humans.⁹

• E. Accidental human exposure to vaccine

  Human exposure to parenteral animal rabies vaccines listed in Part III does not constitute a risk for rabies infection. However, human exposure to vaccinia-vectored oral rabies vaccines should be reported to state health officials.³⁶

• F. Rabies certificate

  All agencies and veterinarians should use NASPHV Form 51, Rabies Vaccination Certificate, which can be obtained from vaccine manufacturers or from NASPHV(http://www.nasphv.org). It is also available from CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/professional/professi.htm). The form must be completed in full and signed by the administering or supervising veterinarian. Computer-generated forms containing the same information are also acceptable.

Rabies vaccines licensed and marketed in the United States, 2005
Product name	Produced by		Marketed by	For use in	Dosage (mL)	Age at primary vaccination*	Booster recommended	Route of inoculation
MONOVALENT (inactivated)
Defensor 1	Pfizer, Inc.		Pfizer, Inc.	Dogs	1	3 mos†	Annually	IM‡ or SC§
		License No.189		Cats	1	3 mos	Annually	SC
Defensor 3	Pfizer, Inc.		Pfizer, Inc.	Dogs	1	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	IM or SC
		License No.189		Cats	1	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	SC
				Sheep	2	3 mos	Annually	IM
				Cattle	2	3 mos	Annually	IM
Rabdomun	Pfizer, Inc.		Schering-Plough	Dogs	1	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	IM or SC
		License No.189		Cats	1	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	SC
				Sheep	2	3 mos	Annually	IM
				Cattle	2	3 mos	Annually	IM
Rabdomun 1	Pfizer, Inc.		Schering-Plough	Dogs	1	3 mos	Annually	IM or SC
		License No.189		Cats	1	3 mos	Annually	SC
Rabvac 1	Fort Dodge		Fort Dodge	Dogs	1	3 mos	Annually	IM or SC
		Animal Health	Animal Health	Cats	1	3 mos	Annually	SC
		Licence No.112
Rabvac 3	Fort Dodge		Fort Dodge	Dogs	1	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	IM or SC
		Animal Health	Animal Health	Cats	1	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	IM or SC
		License No.112		Horses	2	3 mos	Annually	IM
Rabvac 3 TF	Fort Dodge		Fort Dodge	Dogs	1	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	IM or SC
		Animal Health	Animal Health	Cats	1	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	IM or SC
		License No.112		Horses	2	3 mos	Annually	IM
Prorab-1	I ntervet, Inc.		Intervet, Inc	Dogs	1	3 mos	Annually	IM or SC
		License No.286		Cats	1	3 mos	Annually	IM or SC
				Sheep	2	3 mos	Annually	IM
Prorab-3F	Intervet, Inc.		Intervet, Inc.	Cats	1	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	IM or SC
		License No.286
Imrab 3	Merial, Inc.		Merial, Inc.	Dogs	1	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	IM or SC
		License No.298		Cats	1	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	IM or SC
				Sheep	2	3 mos	1 year later and triennially	IM or SC
				Cattle	2	3 mos	Annually	IM or SC
				Horses	2	3 mos	Annually	IM or SC
				Ferrets	1	3 mos	Annually	SC
Imrab 3 TF	Merial, Inc.		Merial, Inc.	Dogs	1	3 mos	1 year later or triennially	IM or SC
		License No.298		Cats	1	3 mos	1 year later or triennially	IM or SC
				Ferrets	1	3 mos	Annually	SC
Imrab Large	Merial, Inc.		Merial, Inc.	Cattle	2	3 mos	Annually	IM or SC
Animal		Licence No.298		Horses	2	3 mos	Annually	IM or SC
				Sheep	2	3 mos	1 year later or triennially	IM or SC
Imrab 1	Merial, Inc.		Merial, Inc.	Dogs	1	3 mos	Annually	SC
	License No.298			Cats	1	3 mos	Annually	SC
Monovalent (Rabies glycoprotein, live canary pox vector)
Purevax feline	Merial, Inc.		Merial, Inc.	Cats	1	8 wks	Annually	SC
Rabies		Licence No.298
Combination (Inactivated rabies)
Equine Potomavac	Merial, Inc.		Merial, Inc.	Horses	1	3 mos	Annually	IM
+ Imrab		License No.298
Mystique 11	Intervet, Inc.		Intervet, Inc.	Horses	1	3 mos	Annually	IM
Potomavac +		License No.286
Combination (Rabies glycoprotein, live canary pox vector)
Purevax feline			Merial, Inc.	Cats	1	8 wks	Annually	SC
3/Rabies		License No.298
Purevax Feline	Merial, Inc.		Merial, Inc.	Cat	1	8 wks	Annually	SC
4/Rabies		Licence No.298
Oral (Rabies glycoprotein, live vaccinia vector)- RESTRICTED TO USE IN STATE AND FEDERAL RABIES-CONTROL PROGRAMS
Raboral V-RG	Merial, Inc.		Merial, Inc.	Racoons	N/A	N/A	AG determined by local authorities	Oral
		Licence No.298		Goyotes

^*Minimum age (or older) and revaccinated 1 year later.

^†1 month = 28 days.

^‡Intramuscularly.

^§Subcutaneously.

TABLE 6-25.

Prescription Writing Reference … Do's & Don’ts

Veterinarian information	Owner information
Always include:
Prescribing veterinarian's name	Patient's name (in “quotes”)
Practice address	Patient's age or date of birth
Practice telephone number	Owner's name (or that of an owner representative)
DEA # (if written for a controlled substance)	Owner's address
Current date	Owner's phone number
Rx
• Drug Name: (Print FULL brand name or generic name…NEVER abbreviate) • Dosage Form: (specify tablet, capsule, suspension, other) • Strength: (mg, g, μ g, etc.) or concentration (mg/ml)…use metric units • Total Quantity: (# 10 [for 10 tablets]; 60 ml) • Sig: Include the following: Dose (individual); route; frequency; duration; indication or use • Number of Refills: define the number permitted • Designate: whether or not generic substitution is permissible • Signature: Common prescription writing errors •Always use metric units: e.g., g (gram) for solids; ml or mL (milliliter) for liquids. •Use per instead of a slash (/), which can be interpreted as the number 1. •Use units instead of the abbreviation u, which can be interpreted as 0 or 4 or μ. •Use once daily instead of sid, which has been interpreted as 5/d or 5 per day! (NOTE:“sid” is not a conventional prescription abbreviation.) •Use three times daily insteadof tid, and four times daily insteadof qid. •Use every other day instead of qod. •REMEMBER—abbreviations like qd, qid, and qod are easily confused with each other • When writing numbers: • Use a leading zero with decimals: e.g., use 0.5 ml rather than .5 ml. • Avoid using a trailing zero: e.g., use 3 rather than 3.0. •And FINALLY—When in doubt …spell it out.

TABLE 6-26.

Common Drug Indications and Dosages^†

Drug	Proprietary names	Action/Use	Formulation	Recommended dosage
Acepromazine	Many generic products	Tranquilizer and antiemetic	5-,10-, and 25-mg tablets and 10-mg/mL injection	Dog: 0.56–1.13 mg/kg IM, SC, IV;
				0.56–2.25 mg/kg PO q6–8h
				Cat: 1.13–2.25 mg/kg IM, SC, IV
Acetaminophen	Tylenol and other generic brands	NSAID/analgesia	120-,160-,325-, and 500-mg tablets	Dog: 15 mg/kg PO q8h
				Cat: DO NOT USE
Acetaminophen with codeine	Tylenol with codeine; other generic products	NSAID + opioid/analgesia	Oral solution and tablets. Many forms (e.g.,300 mg acetaminophen plus either 15,30, or 60 mg codeine)	Follow dosing recommendations for codeine
				Dog: (analgesia) 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q4–6h
				Cat: DO NOT USE
Acetazolamide	Diamox	Diuretic/management of glaucoma	125-and 250-mg tablets	Glaucoma: 5–10 mg/kg PO q8–12h
				Diuretic: 4–8 mg/kg PO q8–12h
Acetylcysteine	Mucomyst	Antidote/acetamin-ophen toxicosis in cats	20% solution (200 mg/mL)	Cat: (acetaminophen toxicosis) 140 mg/kg (initial loading dose; then 70 mg/kg PO or IV q4h for 5 doses
ACTH Gel	See Corticotropin
Activated charcoal	See Charcoal, activated
Albendazole	Valbazen	Antiparasitic/especially respiratory parasites and Giardia spp.	113.6-mg/mL suspension and 300 mg/mL paste	General antiparasitic: 25–50 mg/kg PO q12h for 3 days Respiratory parasites: 50 mg/kg, q24h PO for 10–14 days Giardia: 25 mg/kg q12h for 2 days; 2 to 5 puffs four times daily
Albuterol	Proventil; Ventolin	Bronchodilator	2-,4-, and 5-mg tablets; 2 mg/5 mL syrup; aerosol (metered inhaler @ 90 mcg/dose)	20–50 μg/kg four times/day; up to maximum of 100 μg/kg four times/day
Allopurinol	Lopurin; Zyloprim	Antiinflammatory/adjunct therapy for Leishmaniasis; urolith prevention	100-and 300-mg tablets	Urolith prevention: 10 mg/kg q8h; then reduce to 10 mg/kg q24h
				Leishmaniasis: 10 mg/kg, q12h PO for 4 months or more.
Aluminum carbonate gel	Basalgel	Antacid/GI phosphate binder (uncommonly used today)	Capsules (equivalent to 500 mg aluminum hydroxide)	10–30 mg/kg PO q8h (with meals)
Aluminum hydroxide gel	Amphogel	Antacid/GI phosphate binder (uncommonly used today)	64 mg/mL oral suspension; 600-mg tablet	10–30 mg/kg PO q8h (with meals)
Amikacin	Amiglyde-V (veterinary); Amikin (human)	Antibacterial	50-and 250-mg/mL injection	Dog and cat: 6.5 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q8h or 20 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q24h
Aminophylline	Many generic brands	Bronchodilator/chronic bronchitis and asthma	100-and 200-mg tablets; 25 mg/mL injection	Dog: 10 mg/kg PO, IM, IV q8h
				Cat: 6.6 mg/kg PO q12h
				Dog: 10–15 mg/kg, PO, q12h, up to 1 wk; then 5–7.5 mg/kg PO q12h for 2 wk; then 7.5 mg/kg q24h as maintenance
Amiodarone	Cordarone	Antiarrhythmic/life-threatening arrhythmias	200 mg tables and 50 mg/mL injection	Cat: no dosage recommendation
Amitraz	Mitaban	Antiparasitic/especially ectoparasites: Demodex and Sarcoptes	10.6 mL concentrated dip (19.9%)	10.6 mL per 7.5 L water (0.025% solution); apply three to six topical treatments every 2 weeks for refractory cases, this dose has been exceeded to produce increased efficacy. Doses that have been used include 0.025%,0.05%, and 0.1% concentration applied twice a week and 0.125% solution applied to one-half body every day for 4 weeks to 5 months.
Amitriptyline	Elavil	Behavior modifier/separation anxiety and (in cats) chronic idiopathic cystitis	10-,25-,50-,75-, 100-, and 150-mg tablets; 10 mg/mL injection	Dog: 1–2 mg/kg PO q12–24h (range: 0.25–4 mg/kg q12–24h)
				Cat: 2 mg/kg or approx 5–10 mg per cat per day PO
Amlodipine	Norvasc	Calcium channel blocker/vasodilator for systemic hypertension	2.5-,5-, and 10-mg tablets	Dog: 2.5 mg/dog or 0.1 mg/kg PO once daily
				Cat: 0.625 mg/cat/day PO initially; then increase if needed to 1.25 mg/cat/day (average is 0.18 mg/kg once daily)
Ammonium chloride	Generic	Urinary acidifier/acidify urine and treat metabolic alkalosis	Available as crystals	Dog: 100 mg/kg PO q12h
				Cat: 800 mg/cat (approximately ⅓ to ¼ tsp) mixed with food daily
Amoxicillin trihydrate	Amoxi-Tabs;	Broad-spectrum antibacterial	50-,100-,200-, and 400-mg tablets; 50 mg/mL oral suspension	6–20 mg/kg PO q8–12h
	Amoxi-drops; Amoxil; others
Amoxicillin/clavulanate	Clavamox	Broad-spectrum antibacterial	62.5-,125-,250-, and 375-mg tablets; 62.5 mg/mL suspension	Dog: 12.5–15 mg/kg PO q12h
				Cat: 62.5 mg/cat PO q12h; consider administering these doses q8h for gram-negative infections
Amphotericin B	AmBisome (new formulation; less toxic but expensive)	Antifungal (liposomal formulation)/deep, systemic fungal infection & leishmaniasis	50-mg injectable vial	3–5 mg/kg/day IV administered over 60–120 min
	Fungizone (traditional formulation)	Antifungal/deep systemic fungal infection & leishmaniasis	50-mg injectable vial	0.5 mg//kg IV (slow infusion) q48h; cumulative dose is 4–8 mg/kg
				CAUTION: Monitor renal function
Ampicillin	Omnipen; Principen; others	Broad-spectrum antibacterial	250-and 500-mg capsules; 125-, 250-, and 500-mg vials of ampicillin sodium	10–20 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q6–8h (ampicillin sodium); 20–40 mg/kg PO q8h
Ampicillin + sulbactam	Unasyn	Broad-spectrum antibacterial	1.5-and 3-g vials in 2:1 combination for injection	10–20 mg/kg IV, IM q8h
Ampicillin trihydrate	Polyflex	Broad-spectrum antibacterial	10-and 25-mg vials for injection	6.5–10 mg/kg IM, SC q12h
Amprolium	Amprol, Corid	Thiamine analog/treatment of coccidia	9.6% (9.6 g/dL) oral solution; soluble powder	1.25 g of 20% amprolium powder to daily feed, or 30 mL of 9.6% amprolium solution to 3.8 L of drinking water for 7 days
Antiserum, snakebite	Antivenin	Antivenin/concentrated serum globulin from horses immunized with multiple types of venom	10-mL vials	Dose varies from 10 to 50 mL (1 to 5 vials) initially; additional doses may be administered 2 h following initial treatment
Apomorphine hydrochloride	Generic	Emetic (potent)	6-mg tablet	0.02–0.04 mg/kg IV, IM,0.1 mg/kg SC, or instill 0.25 mg in conjunctiva of eye (dissolve 6-mg tablet in 1–2 mL of saline)
Ascorbic acid	Vitamin C	Vitamin supplement	Various forms	100–500 mg/animal/day (diet supplement) or 100 mg/animal q8h (urine acidification)
L-Asparaginase	Elspar	Antineoplastic/lymphoid malignancies	10,000 U per vial for injection	Dog: 10,000 to 20,000 IU/m2 IV once weekly
				Cat: 400 U/kg SC or IM (as part of a protocol)
				Pretreatment with antihistamine (diphenhydramine),2 mg/kg (dog) and 1 mg/kg (cat) 30 minutes earlier is recommended
Aspirin	Many generic and brand name products (e. g., Bufferin, Ascriptin)	NSAID; anticoagulant	81-and 325-mg tablets	Dog: Mild analgesia: 10 mg/kg q12h Antiinflammatory: 20–25 mg/kg q12h Antiplatelet: 5–10 mg/kg q24–48h
				Cat: 10–20 mg/kg q48h
				Antiplatelet: 80 mg q48h
Atenolol	Tenormin	Beta-blocker/hypertension and tachyarrhythmias	25-,50-, and 100-mg tablets; 25 mg/mL oral suspension; and 0.5 mg/mL ampule for injection	Dog: 6.25–12.5 mg/dog q12h (or 0.25–1.0 mg/kg q12–24h) Cat: 6.25–12.5 mg/cat q12h (approx.3 mg/kg)
Atracurium	Tracrium	Neuromuscular blocking agent/adjunct to general anesthesia for muscle relaxation	10-mg/mL injection	0.2 mg/kg IV initially; then 0.15 mg/kg q30min (or IV infusion at 3–8 μg/kg/min)
Atropine	Many generic products	Antimuscarinic-anticholinergic/preanesthetic agent and treatment of some bradyarrhythmias	400-,500-, and 540 μg/mL injection; 15 mg/mL injection	0.02–0.04 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q6–8h or
				0.2–0.5 mg/kg (as needed) for organophosphate and carbamate toxicosis
Auranofin (triethylphosphine gold)	Ridaura	Gold compound/immune-mediated skin disease	3-mg capsule	0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q12h
Aurothioglucose	Solganol	Gold compound/immune-mediated skin disease	50 mg/mL injection	Dog <10 kg: 1 mg IM 1st wk,2 mg IM 2nd wk, and then 1 mg/kg/wk maintenance; >10 kg: 5 mg IM 1st wk, 10 mg 2nd wk, and then 1 mg/kg/wk maintenance
Azathioprine	Imuran	Purine antagonist/immunosuppressive agent	50-mg tablet; 10 mg/mL injection	Dog: 2 mg/kg PO q24h initially; then 0.5–1 mg/kg q48h
				Cat (use cautiously): 1 mg/kg PO q48h Monitoring patient CBC is indicated during therapy
Azithromycin	Zithromax	Antibacterial/broad-spectrum activity with very long tissue half-life	250-mg capsule; 250-and 600-mg tablets; 20 mg/mL oral suspension	Dog: 5–10 mg/kg PO once daily for 3–5 days (treatment may be extended for up to 10 days of consecutive treatment)
				Cat: 5–10 mg/kg PO daily for 3–5 days.
BAL	See Dimercaprol, Lotensin
Benazepril		ACE inhibitor/chronic heart failure, hypertension, first choice in treating protein-losing nephropathies	5-,10-,20-, and 40-mg tablets	Dog: Heart failure: 0.25–0.5 mg/kg PO q24h
				Hypertension: 0.25 mg/kg PO q12h
				Cat: Heart failure: 0.25–0.5 mg/kg PO once or twice daily
				Hypertension: 0.25–1.0 mg/kg PO once or twice daily
Betamethasone	Celestone	Potent glucocorticoid/antiinflammatory and immune-mediated disease	600-μg (0.6-mg) tablet; 3 mg/mL sodium phosphate injection	Dog and cat:
				Antiinflammatory: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q12–24h Immunosuppressive: 0.2–0.5 mg/kg once or twice daily
Bethanechol	Urecholine	Muscarinic-cholinergic/enhance urinary bladder contraction	5-,10-,25-, and 50-mg tablets; 5 mg/mL injection	Dog: 5–15 mg/dog PO q8h
				Cat: 1.25–5 mg/cat PO q8h
Bisacodyl	Dulcolax	Stimulant laxative	5-mg tablet	5 mg/animal PO q8–24h
Bismuth subsalicylate	Pepto-Bismol	GI protectant/treatment of simple (uncomplicated) diarrhea	Oral suspension; 262 mg/15 mL or 525 mg/mL in extra strength formulation; 262-mg tablet	1–3 mL/kg/day (in divided doses) PO
Bleomycin	Blenoxane	Antineoplastic/used in multiple cancer protocols	15-U vials for injection	Dog: 10 U/m2 IV or SC for 3 days; then 10 U/m2 weekly (maximum cumulative dose 200 U/m2)
Bromide	See Potassium bromide Parlodel
Bromocriptine mesylate		Dopamine agonist and prolactin inhibitor/pregnancy termination or pseudopregnancy (pseudocyesis) in dogs	2.5-mg tablets and 5.0-mg capsules	Pseudocyesis: 10 μg/kg PO for 10 days, or 30 μg/kg PO for 16 days Pregnancy termination: 50–100 μg/kg PO for 4–7 days; begin treatment from day 35–45 after LH surge
				CAUTION: Vomiting is a common side effect
Bunamidine hydrochloride	Scolaban	Antiparasitic/tape worms	400-mg tablet	20–50 mg/kg PO per treatment
Bupivacaine	Marcaine; generic	Local anesthetic (parenteral)	2.5-and 5-mg/mL solution injection	1 mL of 0.5% solution/10 cm for an epidural
Buprenorphine	Buprenex	Partial opiate agonist analgesic	0.3 mg/mL solution	Dog: 0.005–0.02 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q6–12h
				Cat: 0.005–0.01 mg/kg IV, IM q6–12h Buccal administration is well tolerated in cats and lasts ∼6 hours
Buspirone	BuSpar	Non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic/control urine spraying	5-and 10-mg tablets	Cat: 2.5–5 mg/cat PO daily (may be increased to twice daily for some cats)
Busulfan	Myleran	Oral antineoplastic/chronic granulocytic leukemia	2-mg tablet	3–4 mg/m2 PO q24h
Butorphanol	Torbutrol; Torbugesic	Opioid analgesic/perioperative analgesia	1-,5-, and 10-mg tablets; 0.5 or 10 mg/mL injection	Dog: Antitussive: 0.055 mg/kg SC q6–12h or 0.55 mg/kg PO
				Preanesthetic: 0.2–0.4 mg/kg IV, IM, SC (with acepromazine)
				Analgesic: 0.2–0.4 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q2–4h or 0.55–1.1 mg/kg PO q6–12h
				Cat: Analgesic: 0.2–0.8 mg/kg IV, SC q2–6h or 1.5 mg/kg PO q4–8h
Calcitriol	Rocaltrol; Calcijex	Calcium supplement/increases calcium absorption in the GI tract; used in management of hypoparathyroidism	Available as injection (Calcijex) and capsules (Rocaltrol): 0.25-and 0.5-μg capsules; 1-or 2-μg/mL injection	Dog: 0.25 to 0.5 μg/dog/day PO q24h
				Cat: 0.25 μg/cat PO q48h
Calcium carbonate	Generic and many brand name products (e.g., Tums)	Calcium supplement	Many tablets or oral suspension (e.g.,650-mg tablet contains 260 mg calcium ion)	5–10 mL oral solution PO q4–6h
				For phosphate binder: 60–100 mg/kg/day
				PO in divided doses
Calcium chloride	Generic	Calcium supplement	10% (100 mg/ml) solution	0.1–0.3 mL/kg IV (slowly)
Calcium citrate (OTC)	Citrical	Calcium supplement	950-mg tablet (contains 200 mg calcium ion)	Dog: 20 mg/kg/day PO (with meals)
				Cat: 10–30 mg/kg q8h PO (with meals)
Calcium gluconate	Kalcinate and generic	Calcium supplement	10% (100 mg/mL) injection	0.5–1.5 mL/kg IV (slowly)
Calcium lactate (OTC)	Generic	Calcium supplement	Available as a powder and various-sized tablets	Dog: 0.5–2.0 g/dog/day PO (in divided doses)
				Cat: 0.2–0.5 g/cat/day PO (in divided doses)
Captopril	Capoten	ACE inhibitor (vasodilator)/hypertension and congestive heart failure	25-mg tablet	Dog: 0.5–2 mg/kg PO q8–12h
				Cat: 3.12–6.25 mg/cat PO q8h
Carbenicillin	Geopen; Pyopen	Antibacterial	1-,2-,5-,10-, and 30-g vials for injection	40–50 mg/kg and up to 100 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q6–8h
Carbenicillin indanyl sodium	Geocillin	Antibacterial	500-mg tablet	10 mg/kg PO q8h
Carboplatin	Paraplatin	Antineoplastic/multiple tumor types	50-and 150-mg vials for injection	Dog: 300 mg/m2 IV q3–4 wk
				Cat: 200 mg/m2 IV q4wk
Carprofen	Rimadyl	NSAID	25-,75-, and 100-mg tablets	Dog: 2.2 mg/kg PO q12h
			50 mg/mL in 20-mL vials for injection	Cat: Not approved for use in cats
Cascara sagrada (OTC)	Many brand name products	Laxative	100-and 325-mg tablets	Dog: 1–5 mg/kg/day PO
				Cat: 1–2 mg/cat/day
Castor oil (OTC)	Generic	Laxative	Oral liquid (100%)	Dog: 8–30 mL/day PO
				Cat: 4–10 mL/day PO
Cefaclor	Ceclor	Antibacterial	250-and 500-mg capsules and 25 mg/mL oral suspension	4–20 mg/kg PO q8h
Cefadroxil	Cefa-Tabs; Cefa-Drops	Antibacterial	50 mg/mL oral suspension; 50-, 100-,200-, and 1000-mg tablets	Dog: 22–30 mg/kg PO q12h
				Cat: 22 mg/kg PO q24h
Cefepime	Maxipime	Antibacterial	500-mg,1-g, and 2-g vials for injection	40 mg/kg IV q6h
Cefixime	Suprax	Antibacterial	20 mg/mL oral suspension; 200-and 400-mg tablets	10 mg/kg PO q12h
				For cystitis: 5 mg/kg PO q12–24h
Cefotaxime	Claforan	Antibacterial	500-mg and 1-,2-, and 10-g vials for injection	Dog: 50 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q12h
				Cat: 20–80 mg/kg IV, IM q6h
Cefotetan	Cefotan	Antibacterial	1-,2-, and 10-g vials for injection	30 mg/kg IV, SC q8h
Cefoxitin sodium	Mefoxin	Antibacterial	1-,2-, and 10-g vials for injection	30 mg/kg IV q6–8h
Ceftazidime	Fortaz; Ceptaz; Tazicef	Antibacterial	0.5-,1-,2-, and 6-g vials reconstituted to 280 mg/mL	Dog and cat: 30 mg/kg IV, IM q6h
				CRI: Loading dose 4.4 mg/kg; then 4.1 mg/kg/h with IV fluids
Ceftiofur	Naxcel (ceftiofur sodium); Excenel (ceftiofur HCl)	Antibacterial	50 mg/mL injection	Dog: 30 mg/kg, SC, q4–6h 2.2–4.4 mg/kg SC q24h (for urinary tract infections)
Cephalexin	Keflex; generic	Antibacterial/especially skin, urinary, respiratory tract infections	250-and 500-mg capsules; 250-and 500-mg tablets; 100 mg/mL or 125 and 250 mg/5 mL oral suspension	10–30 mg/kg PO q6–12h
				Pyoderma: 22–35 mg/kg PO q12h
Cephalothin sodium	Keflin	Antibacterial	1-and 2-g vials for injection	10–30 mg/kg IV, IM q4–8h
Cephapirin	Cefadyl	Antibacterial	500-mg and 1-,2-, and 4-g vials for injection	10–30 mg/kg IV, IM q4–8h
Charcoal, activated	ActaChar; Charcodote; Toxiban; generic	GI adsorbent	Oral suspension	1–4 g/kg PO (granules)
				6–12 mg/kg (suspension)
Chlorambucil	Leukeran	Antineoplastic/has also been used to treat eosinophilic granuloma complex in cats	2-mg tablet	Dog: 2–6 mg/m2 q24h initially; then q48h PO
				Cat: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg q24h initially; then q48h PO
Chloramphenicol and chloramphenicol palmitate	Chloromycetin; generic	Antibacterial	30 mg/mL oral suspension (palmitate); 250-mg capsule; and 100-,250-, and 500-mg tablets	Dog: 40–50 mg/kg PO q8h
				Cat: 12.5–20 mg/kg PO q12h
Chloramphenicol sodium succinate	Chloromycetin; generic	Antibacterial	100 mg/mL injection	Dog: 40–50 mg/kg IV, IM q6–8h
				Cat: 12.5–20 mg/cat IV, IM q12h
Chlorothiazide	Diuril	Diuretic/also used as an antihypertensive	250-and 500-mg tablets;50 mg/mL oral suspension and injection	20–40 mg/kg PO q12h
Chlorpheniramine maleate (OTC)	Chlor-Trimeton; Phenetron; others	Antihistamine (H1-blocker)/weak antipruritic agent in allergic animals	4-and 8-mg tablets	Dog: 4–8 mg/dog PO q12h (up to maximum of 0.5 mg/kg q12h)
				Cat: 2 mg/cat PO q12h
Chlorpromazine	Thorazine	Tranquilizer/antiemetic	25-mg/mL injection solution	0.5 mg/kg IM, SC q6–8h Before cancer chemotherapy: 2 mg/kg SC q3h
Chlortetracycline	Generic	Antibacterial	Powdered feed additive	25 mg/kg PO q6–8h
Chorionic gonadotropin	See Gonadotropin
Cimetidine	Tagamet	Antihistamine (H2 blocker)/treatment and prevention of gastric ulcer	100-,150-,200-, and 300-mg tablets; 60 mg/mL injection	10 mg/kg IV, IM, PO q6–8h In renal failure: 2.5–5 mg/kg IV, PO q12h
Ciprofloxacin	Cipro	Antibacterial	250-,500-, and 750-mg tablets, 2 mg/mL injection	5–15 mg/kg PO, IV q12h
Cisapride	Propulsid	Prokinetic/stimulates GI tract motility	10-mg tablet	Dog: 0.1–0.5 mg/kg PO q8–12h (doses as high as 0.5–1.0 mg/kg have been used in some dogs)
				Cat: 2.5–5 mg/cat PO q8–12h (doses as high as 1 mg/kg q8h have been used in cats)
Cisplatin	Platinol	Antineoplastic/multiple tumor types	1-mg/mL injection; 50-mg vials	Dog: 60–70 mg/m2 IV q3–4wk (administer fluid for diuresis with therapy)
				Cat: DO NOT USE.
Clemastine	Tavist; Contac 12 Hour; generic	Antihistamine (H1-blocker)/antipruritic in allergic dogs	1.34-mg tablet (OTC); 2.64-mg tablet (Rx); 0.134 mg/mL syrup	Dog: 0.05–0.1 mg/kg PO q12h
Clindamycin	Antirobe; Cleocin	Antibacterial/especially gram-positive infections. Recommended for toxoplasmosis (controversial).	25 mg/mL oral liquid; 25-,75-, and 150-mg capsule; and 150-mg/mL injection (Cleocin)	Dog: 11 mg/kg PO q12h or 22 mg/kg PO q24h
				Cat: 5.5 mg/kg q12h, or 11 mg/kg q24h (staphylococcal infections); 11 mg/kg q12h or 22 mg/kg q24h (anaerobic infections) PO Toxoplasmosis: 12.5 mg/kg PO q12h for 4 wk
Clofazimine	Lamprene	Antibacterial	50-and 100-mg capsules	Cat: 1 mg/kg PO up to maximum of 4 mg/kg/day
Clomipramine	Anafranil (human);	Tricyclic antidepressant/behavior modification	10-,25-, and 50-mg tablets (human); 5-,20-, and 80-mg tablets (veterinary)	Dog: 1–2 mg/kg PO q12h up to maximum of 3 mg/kg PO q12h
	Clomicalm (veterinary)			Cat: 1–5 mg/cat PO q12–24h
Clonazepam	Klonopin	Anticonvulsant/also used to manage certain types of behavior disorders	0.5-,1-, and 2-mg tablets	0.5 mg/kg PO q8–12h
Clorazepate	Tranxene	Anticonvulsant/also used to manage certain types of behavior disorders	3.75-,7.5-,11.25-,15-, and 22.5-mg tablets	2 mg/kg PO q12h
Clotrimazole (CTL)	Many generic products, including lotrimazole topical solution, USP 1%	Antifungal (topical only)/nasal aspergillosis	1% topical solution in 30 mL	For nasal aspergillosis in dogs: Infuse 1% solution in each nasal cavity for 1 h in anesthetized dog.
				NOTE: patient preparation is required
Cloxacillin	Cloxapen; Orbenin; Tegopen	Antibacterial	250-and 500-mg capsules; 25 mg/mL oral solution	20–40 mg/kg PO q8h
Codeine	Generic	Opioid analgesic	15-,30-, and 60-mg tablets; 5 mg/mL syrup; 3 mg/mL oral solution	Analgesia: 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q4–6h
				Antitussive: 0.1–0.3 mg/kg PO q4–6h
Colchicine	Generic	Antiinflammatory/hepatic failure	500-and 600-μg tablets; 500 μg/mL ampule injection	0.01–0.3 mg/kg PO q24h
Colony-stimulating factor	Neupogen	Hormone/stimulate granulocyte production in bone marrow	300 μg/mL injection	2.5 μg/kg SC q12h
Corticotropin (ACTH Gel)	H.P. Acthar Gel (expensive)	Hormone/diagnostic test drug for the diagnosis of hyper-and hypoadrenocorticism	5 mL (multiple dose) 80 USP units/mL	Response test: Collect pre-ACTH sample and inject 2.2 IU/kg IM;
				Dog: Collect post-ACTH sample in 2 h
				Cat: Collect post-ACTH samples at 1 and 2 h
Cosyntropin	Cortrosyn	Hormone/diagnostic test drug for the diagnosis of hyper-and hypoadrenocorticism	250 μg per vial (can be stored in freezer for 6 months)	Response test:
				Dog: Collect pre-sample and inject 5 μg/kg IV
				Cat: Collect pre-sample and inject 0.125 mg IV
				Dog and cat: Collect post sample 1 h post-administration.
Cyanocobalamin	See Vitamin B12
Cyclophosphamide	Cytoxan; Neosar	Antineoplastic/multiple tumor types and adjunctive in immune-mediated disorders	25 mg/mL injections; 25-nd 50-mg tablets	Anticancer: 50 mg/m2 PO once daily 4 days/wk or 150–300 mg/m2 IV and repeat in 21 days
				Immunosuppressive therapy: 50 mg/m2 (approx 2.2 mg/kg) PO q48h or 2.2 mg/kg once daily for 4 days/wk
				Cat: 6.25–12.5 mg/cat once daily 4 days/wk
Cyclosporine (cyclosporin A)	Neoral, Sandimmune; Optimmune (ophthalmic)	Immunosuppressant (CMI)/multiple uses ranging from atopic dermatitis to hemolytic anemia to perianal fistulas Consult additional references before prescribing	Neoral: 25-mg and 100-mg microemulsion capsules; 100-mg/mL oral solution (for microemulsion) Sandimmune: 100-mg/mL oral solution; 25-and 100-mg capsules	Dog: 3–7 mg/kg, PO, q12–24h (adjust dose based on condition being treated and by monitoring blood levels)
				Hemolytic anemia: Up to 10 mg/kg PO q12h (as adjunctive therapy)
				Cat: 4–6 mg/kg PO q12h
				NOTE: multiple products are available but all are NOT bioequivalent
			Optimmune: 0.2% ointment
Cyproheptadine	Periactin	Antihistamine/appetite stimulant in cats	4-mg tablet; 2 mg/5 mL syrup	Antihistamine: 1.1 mg/kg PO q8–12h
				Appetite stimulant: 2 mg/cat PO
Cytarabine (cytosine arabinoside)	Cytosar-U	Antineoplastic/lymphoma and leukemia	100-mg vial	Dog (lymphoma): 100 mg/m2 IV, SC once daily or twice daily for 4 days
				Cat: 100 mg/m2 once daily for 2 days
Dacarbazine	DTIC	Antineoplastic/lymphoreticular neoplasms and soft tissue sarcomas	200-mg vial for injection	200 mg/m2 IV for 5 days q3wks; or 800–1000 mg/m2 IV q3wks
Dalteparin	Fragmin	Low molecular weight heparin/management of thromboembolic disease	Multiple injectable preparations	Prophylaxis: 70 IU/kg q24h SC
				Treatment: 200 IU/kg q24h SC
Danazol	Danocrine	Anabolic steroid/adjunctive therapy for immune-mediated disease	50-,100-, and 200-mg capsules	5–10 mg/kg PO q12h
Dantrolene	Dantrium	Muscle relaxant/urethral obstruction and prevention of malignant hyperthermia	100-mg capsules; 0.33 mg/mL injection	Malignant hyperthermia: 2–3 mg/kg IV
				Muscle relaxation:
				Dog: 1–5 mg/kg PO q8h
				Cat: 0.5–2 mg/kg PO q12h
Dapsone	Generic	Antibacterial/Mycobacterium spp.	25-and 100-mg tablets	1.1 mg/kg PO q8–12h
Deferoxamine	Desferal	Antidote/iron toxicosis	500-mg vial for injection	10 mg/kg IV, IM q2h for two doses; then 10 mg/kg q8h for 24 h
Deprenyl (L-deprenyl)	See Selegiline (Anipryl)
Desmopressin acetate	DDAVP	Hormone/used in the clinical management of patients with diabetes insipidus and patients with von Willebrand's disease	100 μg/mL injection and desmopressin acetate nasal solution (0.01% metered spray); 0.1-and 0.2-mg tablets	Diabetes insipidus: 2–4 drops (2 μg) q12–24h intranasally or in eye; animal oral dose not established, but dose extrapolated from humans is 0.05 mg/animal q12h PO with increase to 0.1 or 0.2 mg/animal as needed. von Willebrand's disease: 1 μg/mL (0.01 mL/kg) SC, IV diluted in 20 mL saline administered over 10 min
Desoxycorticosterone pivalate	Percorten-V; DOCP; DOCA pivalate	Mineralocorticoid/hypoadrenocorticism	25 mg/mL suspension for injection	1.5–2.2 mg/kg IM q25days
Dexamethasone (dexamethasone solution and dexamethasone sodium phosphate)	Azium solution in poly-ethylene glycol; sodium phosphate forms include Dexaject SP, Dexavet, and Dexasone; tablets include Decadron and generic	Glucocorticoid/multiple uses as antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive agent; also used in the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism	Azium solution,2 mg/mL; sodium phosphate forms are 3.33 mg/mL; 0.25-,0.5-, 1-,1.5-,2-,4-, and 6-mg tablets.	Antiinflammatory: 0.07–0.15 mg/kg IV, IM, PO q12–24h For shock, spinal injury: 2.2–4.4 mg/kg IV (of sodium phosphate form) Diagnostic testing use: See Dexamethasone Suppression in Section 5.
Dextran	Dextran 70; Gentran-70	Replacement fluid	Injectable solution: 250, 500, and 1000 mL	10–20 mL/kg IV to effect
Dextromethorphan	Benylin and others	Antitussive/weak cough suppressant	Available in syrup, capsule, and tablet; many OTC products	0.5–2 mg/kg PO q6–8h
Dextrose solution 5% in water	D5W	Replacement fluid	Fluid solution for IV administration	40–50 mL/kg IV q24h
Diazepam	Valium; generic	Anticonvulsant/multiple neurotropic effects ranging from behavior disorders to seizure control	2-and 5-mg tablets;	Preanesthetic: 0.5 mg/kg IV
			5 mg/mL solution for injection	Status epilepticus: 0.5 mg/kg IV, 1.0 mg/kg rectal; repeat if necessary Appetite stimulant (cat): 0.2 mg/kg IV
<fiugre> Dichlorphenamide	Daranide	Diuretic/management of glaucoma	50-mg tablet	3–5 mg/kg PO q8–12h
Dichlorvos	Task	Antiparasitic/roundworms, hookworms, whipworms	10-and 25-mg tablets	Dog: 26.4–33 mg/kg PO
				Cat: 11 mg/kg PO
Dicloxacillin	Dynapen	Antibacterial	125-,250-, and 500-mg capsules; 12.5 mg/mL oral suspension	25 mg/kg IM q6h Oral doses not absorbed
Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)	Caricide; Filaribits	Antiparasitic/prevention of heartworm disease in dogs; treatment of ascarids in cats	Chewable tablets; 50-, 60-,180-,200-, and 400-mg tablets	Heartworm prophylaxis: 6.6 mg/kg PO q24h
				Cat: (for ascarids) 55–110 mg/kg PO once
Diethylstilbestrol (DES)	Limited availability; compounding required	Hormone/estrogen replacement and urinary incontinence; induce abortion in dogs	Tablets (prepared through compounding pharmacies)	Dog: 0.1–1.0 mg/dog PO q24h
				Cat: 0.05–0.1 mg/cat PO q24h
Difloxacin	Dicural	Antibacterial	11.4-,45.4-, and 136-mg tablets	5–10 mg/kg/day PO
Digitoxin	Crystodigin	Cardiac inotrope/congestive heart failure and management of various tachyarrhythmias	0.05-and 0.1-mg tablets	0.02–0.03 mg/kg PO q8h
Digoxin	Lanoxin; Cardoxin	Cardiac inotrope/congestive heart failure and management of various tachyarrhythmias	0.0625-,0.125-,0.25-mg tablets; 0,05 and 0.15 mg/mL elixir	*Dog: <20 kg,0.01 mg/kg q12h; >20 kg, 0.22 mg/m2 PO q12h (subtract 10% for elixir)
				Dog (rapid digitalization): 0.0055–0.011 mg/kg IV q1h to effect
				Cat: 0.08–0.01 mg/kg PO q48h (approximately ¼ of a 0.125-mg tablet/cat)
Dihydrotachysterol (DHT)	See Vitamin D analog
Diltiazem	Cardizem; Dilacor	Calcium channel blocker/hypertension; also supraventricular tachycardia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy	30-,60-,90-, and 120-mg tablets; 50 mg/mL injection	Dog: 0.5–1.5 mg/kg PO q8h; 0.25 mg/kg over 2 min IV (repeat if necessary)
				Cat: 1.75–2.4 mg/kg PO q8h; for Dilacor XR or Cardizem CD, dose is 10 mg/kg PO once daily
Dimenhydrinate	Dramamine	Antihistamine/prevention of motion sickness	50-mg tablets; 50 mg/mL injection	Dog: 4–8 mg/kg PO, IM, IV q8h
				Cat: 12.5 mg/cat IV, IM, PO q8h
Dimercaprol (BAL)	BAL in Oil	Chelating agent/bind heavy metals (lead, mercury) and arsenicals	100 injection	4 mg/kg IM q4h
Dinoprost tromethamine	See Prostaglandin F2a
Dioctyl calcium sulfosuccinate	See Docusate calcium
Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate	See Docusate sodium
Diphenhydramine	Benadryl	Antihistamine/weak sedative, prevents motion sickness	Available OTC: 2.5 mg/mL elixir; 25-and 50-mg capsules and tablets; 50 mg/mL injection	2–4 mg/kg PO q6–8h or 1 mg/kg IM, IV (for dogs, administer 25–50 mg/dog IV, IM, PO q8h)
Diphenoxylate	Lomotil	Meperidine congener/treatment of diarrhea	2.5 mg tablets	Dog: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q8–12h
				Cat: 0.05–0.1 mg/kg PO q12h
Diphenylhydantoin	See Phenytoin
Diphosphonate disodium etidronate	See Etidronate disodium
Dipyridamole	Persantine	Anticoagulant/prevention of thromboembolism	25-,50-,75-mg tablets; 5 mg/mL injection	4–10 mg/kg PO q24h
Disopyramide	Norpace	Antiarrhythmic in dogs/oral treatment or prevention of ventricular arrhythmias (dog only)	100-and 150-mg capsules	Dog: 6–15 mg/kg, PO, q8h
Divalproex sodium	See Valproic acid
Dobutamine	Dobutrex	Rapid acting cardiac inotrope (beta-agonist)/short-term treatment of heart failure	250 mg/20 mL vial for injection (12.5 mg/mL)	Dog: 5–20 g/kg/min IV infusion
				Cat: 0.5–2 g/kg/min IV infusion
				WARNING: may induce arrhythmias, facial twitching, or seizure (cats)
Docusate calcium	Surfak; Doxidan	Stool softener	60-mg tablet (and many others)	Dog: 50–100 mg/dog PO q12–24h
				Cat: 50 mg/cat PO q12–24h
Docusate sodium	Colace; Doxan; Doss; many OTC products	Stool softener	50-and 100-mg capsules; 10 mg/mL liquid	Dog: 50–200 mg/dog PO q8–12h
				Cat: 50 mg/cat PO q12–24h
Dolasetron	Anzemet	5-HT3 receptor antagonist/antiemetic	50-and 100-mg tablets; 20 mg/mL injection	Prevention: 0.6 mg/kg, PO or IV q24h
				Treatment: 1 mg/kg, PO or IV q24h
Dopamine	Intropin	Cardiac inotrope (beta-agonist)/vasodilation (lower doses); adjunctive treatment of acute heart failure and oliguric renal failure	40-,80-, or 160-mg/mL	2–10 μg/kg/min by IV infusion; treatment limited to the critical care setting.
Doxapram	Dopram	CNS stimulant/stimulate respiration, especially in neonates	20-mg/mL injection	5–10 mg/kg IV
				Neonate: 1–5 mg SC, sublingual, or via umbilical vein
Doxepin	Sinequan	Tricyclic antidepressant/psychogenic dermatoses	Various capsules; 10 mg/mL oral solution	0.5–1.0 mg/kg PO q12h (especially lick granuloma)
Doxorubicin	Adriamycin	Antineoplastic (antibiotic)/used in treatment protocols for multiple tumor types	2 mg/mL injection	30 mg/m2 IV q 21 days; or >20 kg,30 mg/m2; <20 kg,1 mg/kg
				Cat: 1 mg/kg IV q3wk
Doxycycline	Vibramycin; generic	Antibacterial	10 mg/mL oral suspension;	3–5 mg/kg PO, IV q12h; or 10 mg/kg PO q24h
			100-mg tablet; 100-mg injection vial	For Rickettsia in dogs: 5 mg/kg q12h
EDTA (edetate calcium disodium)	Calcium disodium versenate	Chelates heavy metals/treatment of lead or zinc toxicosis	20 mg/mL injection	25 mg/kg SC, IM, IV q6h for 2–5 days
Edrophonium	Tensilon; others	Short-acting cholinergic/administered as a test agent for myasthenia gravis	10 mg/mL injection	Dog: 0.11–0.22 mg/kg IV
				Cat: 2.5 mg/cat IV
Enalapril	Enacard	ACE inhibitor/vasodilator used in the treatment of heart failure and/or hypertension; also used in the treatment of patients with protein-losing nephropathies and chronic renal failure	2.5-,5-,10-, and 20-mg tablets	Dog: 0.5 mg/kg PO q12–24h
				Cat: 0.25–0.5 mg/kg PO q12–24h
Enflurane	Ethane	Inhalation anesthetic	Available as solution for inhalation	Induction: 2–3%
Enilconazole	Imaverol; ClinaFarm-EC	Antifungal (topical only)/infusion for treatment of nasal aspergillosis and topical uses in certain dermatophytoses	10% or 13.8% emulsifiable concentrate	Nasal aspergillosis: 10 mg/kg q12h instilled into nasal sinus via surgically implanted tubes for 14 days (10% solution diluted 50/50 with water)…this is nasty!
				NOTE: generally replaced by clotrimazole soak (see Clotrimazole).
				Dermatophytes: dilute 10% solution to 0.2% and wash lesion with solution four times at 3-to 4-day intervals
Enoxaparin	Lovenox	Low molecular weight heparin/thromboembolic disease	Multiple preparations	Prevention: 0.5 mg/kg SC q24h
				Treatment: 1–2 mg/kg SC q12h
Enrofloxacin	Baytril	Antibacterial	68-,22.7-mg, and 5.7-mg tablets; Taste Tabs are 22.7 and 68 mg; 22.7 mg/mL injection	5–10 mg/kg/once daily (or divided twice daily) PO or IM; Parenteral solution for IM use has been administered by the IV route…administer slowly if indicated.
				WARNING: Doses of 10 mg/kg and higher are not recommended in cats because of risk of drug-induced retinal damage and blindness
Ephedrine	Ephedrin sulfate	Sympathomimetic/primarily for urinary incontinence EMERGENCY USE: Hypotension associated with anesthesia	25-mg capsules and 50 mg/mL in 1-mL ampules for injection	Urinary incontinence:
				Dog: 4 mg/kg, or 12.5–50 mg/dog (total) PO q8–12h;Also,1.2 mg/kg PO q8h, or 5 to 15 mg/dog (total) q8h
				Cat: 2–4 mg/kg, PO q8–12h
				Hypotension: 0.03–0.1 mg/kg IV bolus
				NOTE: dilute 5 mg in 10 mL saline; give the lower dose first; may repeat in 5 minutes after first dose if hypotension does not improve
Epinephrine	Adrenalin; generic products (adrenaline)	Alpha-and beta-adrenergic agonist/anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest	1 mg/mL (1:1000) injection solution	Cardiac arrest: 10–20 g/kg IV or 200 g/kg intratracheal (may be diluted in saline)
				Anaphylaxis: 2.5–5 g/kg IV or 50 g/kg intratracheal (may be diluted in saline)
Epsiprantel	Cestex	Oral cesticide/tapeworms	Coated tablet	Dog: 5.5 mg/kg PO given once
				Cat: 2.75 mg/kg PO given once
Ergocalciferol	See Vitamin D2
Erythromycin	Many brand name and generic products	Antibacterial/also used as a prokinetic (increases gastric emptying in dogs and cats)	250-mg capsule or tablet	Antibacterial dose: 10–20 mg/kg PO q8–12h
				Prokinetic dose: 0.5–1.0 mg/kg PO q8h
Erythropoietin, human recombinant (rHuEPO)	Epogen; Epoetin alfa; Procrit	Hormone/induction of erythropoiesis in anemia associated with chronic renal failure	Various preparation as U/mL in single-dose and multidose vials for injection	Doses range from 35 or 50 U/kg three times/wk to 400 U/kg/wk IV, SC (adjust dose to hematocrit of 0.30–0.34)
Esmolol	Brevibloc	Ultrashort-acting beta-1 blocker/short-term treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, especially supraventricular tachycardia	10 mg/mL injection	500 g/kg IV, which may be given as
				0.05–0.1 mg/kg slowly every 5 minutes or 50–200 g/kg/min infusion
Estradiol cypionate	ECP; Depo-Estradiol; generic	Hormone/previously used to prevent pregnancy following an unplanned breeding	2 mg/mL injection	Pregnancy Avoidance:
		WARNING: NOT recommended for use as an abortifacient in dogs or cats		Dog: 22–44 g/kg IM (total dose not to exceed 1.0 mg)
				Cat: 250 g/cat IM between 40 h and 5 days of mating
				WARNING: may cause bone marrow suppression; in some cases, may cause aplastic anemia.
Etidronate disodium	Didronel	Bisphosphonate/reduced calcium resorption from bone in hypercalcemic patients	200-and 400-mg tablets; 50 mg/mL injection	Dog: 5 mg/kg/day PO
				Cat: 10 mg/kg/day PO
Etodolac	Etogesic	Oral NSAID/pain management in dogs	150-and 300-mg tablets	Dog: 10–15 mg/kg PO once daily
Famotidine	Pepcid	H2-receptor antagonist/reduces gastric acid production; used to treat or prevent gastric ulcer	10-mg tablet; 10 mg/mL injection	0.5 mg/kg IM, SC, IV, or
				PO q12–24h
				WARNING: may cause intravascular hemolysis when given IV to cats
Felbamate	Felbatol	Dicarbamate anticonvulsant/management of seizures in dog only	400-and 600-mg tablets; 120 mg/mL oral flavored suspension	Dog: Start with 15 mg/kg PO q8h and increase gradually to maximum of 65 mg/kg q8h
Fenbendazole	Safe-Guard; Panacur	Anthelminthic/effective against a variety of internal parasites	Panacur granules 22.2% (222 mg/kg); 100 mg/mL liquid	25 to 50 mg/kg/day PO for 3 days (NOTE: for some parasites, recommended treatment duration may be longer)
Fentanyl	Sublimaze; generic	Analgesic (opiate)/parenteral pain control	250 mg/5 mL injection	0.02–0.04 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q2h; or 0.01 mg/kg IV, IM, SC (with acetylpromazine or diazepam)
				For analgesia: 0.01 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q2h
Fentanyl transdermal	Duragesic	Analgesic (opiate)/transdermal pain control	25-,50-,75-, and 100-μg/h patch Cat: 25 g/h patch every 3 days	Dog: 10–20 kg,50 g/h patch q72h
				NOTE: when administering fentanyl by the transdermal route, dosing regimens can vary among patients; consult individual sources to match patient size with patch size and patch placement. Do not cut the patch to achieve lower doses.
Ferrous sulfate (OTC)	Generic	Oral iron supplement/iron deficiency anemia	Many oral preparations available	Dog: 100–300 mg/dog PO q24h
				Cat: 50–100 mg/cat PO q24h
Finasteride	Proscar	5-alpha-reductase inhibitor/benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs	5-mg tablets	Dog: 0.1 mg/kg PO q24h or
				5 mg/10–50 kg dog PO q24h
Fipronil	Frontline	GABA-regulated chloride channel inhibitor/topical control of ticks and fleas	Topical solution only	Applied topically once each month as recommended by the manufacturer; approved for use in both dogs and cats
Firocoxib	Previcox	NSAID/for management of inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.	57 mg and 227 mg chewable tablets	Dogs only: 5 mg/kg, PO, once daily.
Florfenicol	Nuflor	Antibacterial (primarily used in cattle)	300 mg/mL (available only as a cattle preparation)	Dog: 25–50 mg/kg q8h SC or IM
				Cat: 25–50 mg/kg q12h SC or IM
Fluconazole	Diflucan	Antifungal/oral (dog and cat) or parenteral (dog only) treatment for systemic deep mycoses or nasal fungal infection	50-,100-,150-, and 200-mg tablets; 10 or 40 mg/mL oral suspension; 2 mg/mL IV injection	Dog: 2.5–5.0 mg/kg once daily PO or IV
				Cat: 2.5–10 mg/cat PO q12h; or 25 mg/cat/day PO
Flucytosine	Ancobon	Antifungal/treatment of systemic mycoses	250-mg capsule; 75 mg/mL oral suspension	25–50 mg/kg PO q6–8h (up to a maximum dose of 100 mg/kg PO q12h)
Fludrocortisone	Florinef	Mineralocorticoid/treatment of hypoadrenocorticism	100-μg (0.1-mg) tablet	Dog: 0.2–0.8 mg/dog or 0.02 mg/kg
				PO q24h (13–23 μg/kg)
				Cat: 0.1–0.2 mg/cat PO q24h
Flumazenil	Romazicon	Benzodiazepine antagonist/antidote: reverse therapeutic effects or overdose	100 μg/mL (0.1 mg/mL) injection	0.01 -0.02 mg (total dose) IV as needed
				CAUTION: may cause significant hypotension
Flumethasone	Flucort	Oral glucocorticoid/antiinflammatory	0.5 mg/mL injection	Dog: 0.0625–0.25 mg/day in divided doses IV, IM, SC
				Cat: 0.03–0.125 mg/day IV, IM, SC
Flunixin meglumine	Banamine	NSAID/pain management	250-mg packet granules; 10 and 50 mg/mL injection	Intra-articular: 0.166 to 1.0 mg total dose mg/kg IV, IM, SC once or 1.1 mg/kg/day
				PO 3 days/wk
				Ophthalmic: 0.5 mg/kg IV once
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)	Fluorouracil	Antineoplastic/used in treatment protocols for multiple tumor types	50-mg/mL vial	Dog: 150 mg/m2 IV once/week
				Cat: DO NOT USE
Fluoxetine	Prozac	Selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)/treatment of behavior disorders	10-and 20-mg capsules; 4 mg/mL oral solution	Dog: 0.5 mg/kg day initially PO; then increase to 1 mg/kg/day PO (10–20 mg/dog)
				Cat: 0.5–4 mg/cat PO q24h
Fluvoxamine	Luvox	Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)/treatment and diagnosis of behavior disorders	25-,50-, and 100-mg tables	Dog: 0.5–2.0 mg/kg, PO, bid
				Cat: 0.25–0.5 mg/kg PO once daily
Fomepizole (4-Methylpyrazole; 4-MP)	Antizol-Vet	Antidote/ethylene glycol poisoning	1.5-mL single-use vials; reconstitute in 30 mL of0.9% NaCl for a 5% solution (50 mg/mL)	20 mg/kg IV initially within 8 h of ingestion; then 15 mg/kg IV at 12-and 24-h intervals; then 5 mg/kg IV at 36 h
Furazolidone	Furoxone	Antibacterial and antiprotozoal/generally a second-choice drug	100-mg tablet	4 mg/kg PO q12h for 7–10 days
Furosemide	Lasix, generic	Diuretic/multiple uses; commonly used to treat congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema	12.5-,20-, and 50-mg tablets; 10 mg/mL oral solution; 50 mg/mL injection	Dog: 2–6 mg/kg IV, IM, SC, PO q8–12h (or as needed); 0.6–1.0 mg/kg/h IV
				Cat: 1–4 mg/kg IV, IM, SC, PO q8–24h
Gemfibrozil	Lopid	Antilipemic/treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in patients that do not respond to dietary fat restriction	300-mg capsules; 600-mg tablets	7.5 mg/kg PO q12h
Gentamicin	Gentocin	Antibacterial (aminoglycoside)	50 and 100 mg/mL solution for injection	Dog: 2–4 mg/kg q6–8h or 6–10 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q24h
				Cat: 3 mg/kg q8h or 9 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q24h
				WARNING: Do NOT administer to patients that are dehydrated or acidotic; can cause acute renal failure
Glipizide	Glucotrol	Oral hypoglycemic/variably effective control of type 2 diabetes in cats	5-and 10-mg tablets	2.5–7.5 mg/cat PO q12h; usual dose is 2.5 mg/cat initially; then increase to 5 mg/cat q12h
Glucosamine + chondroitin sulfate	Cosequin and other brands	Neutraceutical/adjunctive treatment of nonseptic arthritis; may be useful in treating cats with lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)	Regular (RS) and double-strength (DS) capsules	Dog: 1–2 RS capsules per day (2–4 capsules of DS for large dogs)
				Cat: 1 RS capsule daily
Glyburide	Diabeta; Micronase; Glynase	Oral hypoglycemic/variably effective control of type 2 diabetes in cats	1.25-,2.5-, and 5-mg tablets	0.625 mg per cat once daily (represents one half of 1.25-mg tablet)
Glycerin (OTC)	Generic	Oral osmotic/reduces intraocular (and CSF) pressure	Oral solution	1–2 mL/kg PO q8h
Glycopyrrolate	Robinul-V	Antimuscarinic/multiple uses: pre-anesthetic medication, antidote	0.2 mg/mL injection	0.005–0.011 mg/kg IV, IM, SC
Gold sodium thiomalate	Myochrysine	Gold salt/treatment of immune-mediated skin disorders	Injection	1–5 mg IM 1st wk, then 2–10 mg IM 2nd wk, then 1 mg/kg IM once/wk maintenance
Gold therapy	See Aurothioglucose
GoLYTELY	See Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution
Gonadorelin	Factrel; GnRH; LHRH	Hormone/diagnosis and treatment of various reproductive disorders	50-μg/mL injection	Therapeutic doses:
				Dog: 50–100 μg/dog IM q24–48h
				Cat: 25 μg/cat IM once
Gonadotropin, human chorionic (hCG)	Profasi; Pregnyl; APL; generic	Hormone/induce luteinization	5000, 10,000 and 20,000 U injection	Dog: 22 U/kg IM q24–48h or 44 U IM once
				Cat: 250 U/cat IM once
				WARNING: Do NOT use in pregnant animals
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone	See Gonadorelin
Granisetron	Kytril	Antiemetic/prevent emesis associated with chemotherapy	1 mg/mL injection; 1-mg tablet	0.01 mg/kg (10 μg/kg) IV
Griseofulvin (microsize)	Fulvicin U/F	Antifungal (fungistatic antibiotic)/treatment of dermatophytes (especially M. canis)	125-,250-, and 500-mg tablets; 25 mg/mL oral suspension; 125 mg/mL oral syrup	50 mg/kg PO q24h (up to a maximum dose of 110–132 mg/kg/day in divided treatments)
Growth hormone (hGH)	Humatrope; Nutropin; Protropin; Somatotropin; Somatrem	Hormone/replacement hormone in patients with confirmed deficiency.	5 and 10 mg/vial	0.1 U/kg SC, IM three times per wk for 4–6 wk
				WARNING: Is diabetogenic
Halothane	Fluothane	Inhalation anesthetic	250 mL liquid	Induction: 3%
				Maintenance: 0.5–1.5%
Hemoglobin glutamer	Oxyglobin	Blood substitute	13 g/dL in 125 mg single-dose bags	10–30 mL/kg, IV; or up to 10 mL/kg/hour.
Heparin sodium	Liquaemin	Anticoagulant/treat DIC and treatment and prevention of thromboembolic disease	1000 and 10,000 U/mL injection	100–200 units/kg IV loading dose; then 100–300 units/kg SC q6–8h
				Low-dose prophylaxis (dog and cat): 70 U/kg SC q8–12h
Hydroxyethyl starch (HES)	Hetastarch	Volume expander/used when colloidal therapy is indicated	Injection	10–20 mL/kg IV to effect, 20–30 mL/kg/day
Hydralazine	Apresoline	Vasodilator/hypertension and adjunctive treatment of heart failure	10-mg tablet; 20 mg/mL injection	Dog: 0.5 mg/kg (initial dose); titrate to 0.5–2 mg/kg PO q12h
				Cat: 2.5 mg/cat PO q12–24h
Hydrochlorothiazide	HydroDIURIL; generic	Diuretic/hypertension, congestive heart failure, and nephrogenic (ADH-resistant) diabetes insipidus	10 and 100 mg/mL oral solution; 25-,50-, and 100-mg tablets	2–4 mg/kg PO q12h
Hydrocodone bitartrate	Hycodan (contains atropine)	Analgesic (opiate)/pain management	5-mg tablet	Dog: 0.22 mg/kg PO q4–8h
				Cat: no dose available
Hydrocortisone	Cortef; generic	Glucorticoid/antiinflammatory and replacement therapy in adrenal insufficient conditions	5-,10-, and 20-mg tablets	Replacement therapy: 1–2 mg/kg PO q12h
				Antiinflammatory: 1.5–5 mg/kg PO q12h
Hydrocortisone sodium succinate	Solu-Cortef	Glucorticoid/antiinflammatory and shock treatment	Various size vials for injection	Shock: 50–150 mg/kg IV
				Antiinflammatory: 5 mg/kg IV q12h
Hydromorphone Dilaudid		Analgesic (opiate)/pain management and restraint	Tablets, oral solution, and injectable (IM) forms available	Dog: 0.22 mg/kg, IM, SC, q4–6h as needed for pain.
Hydroxyurea	Hydrea	Antineoplastic/polycythemia vera, mastocytoma, leukemias	500-mg capsule	Dog: 50 mg/kg PO once daily,3 days/wk
				Cat: 25 mg/kg PO once daily,3 days/wk
Hydroxyzine	Atarax	Antihistamine/antipruritic and sedative effects, especially in atopic patients	10-,25-, and 50-mg tablets; 2 mg/mL oral solution	Dog: 1–2 mg/kg q6–8h IM, PO
				Cat: DO NOT USE
Ifosfamide	Ifex	Antineoplastic/lymphomas and other sarcomas	1 gram powder for IV infusion in single-dose vials	Dogs and cats: Dose ranges from 300 to
				500 mg/m2 IV
				CAUTION: Consult treatment protocol before administering
Imidacloprid	Advantage	Topical flea treatment for dogs and cats	Topical solution	Apply topically once monthly as directed by the manufacturer for the treatment of fleas
Imidacloprid + permethrin	K9 Advantix	Topical flea treatment and tick repellent for DOGS ONLY	Topical solution	Apply topically once monthly as directed by the manufacturer for the treatment of fleas
				Cat: DO NOT USE; contains permethrin
Imipenem + cilastin	Primaxin	Antibacterial	250-or 500-mg vials for injection	5–10 mg/kg IV, IM q6–8h; has been administered to dogs at 10 mg/kg q8h SC
Imidocarb dipropinate	Imizol	Antiprotozoal/treatment of babesia, ehrlichiosis (not regarded as effective), Cytauxzoon felis, and related infections	Parenteral solution for IM or SC injection; 120 mg/mL in 10-mL multi-dose vials	Dog:5 mg/kg IM or SC once;repeat in 2 wk
				For babesiosis: 6.6 mg/kg IM or SC once; repeat in 2 wk)
				Cat: (cytauxzoonosis) 5 mg/kg IM q2wk as needed
Imipramine	Tofranil	Tricyclic antidepressant/treatment of behavior disorders	10-,25-, and 50-mg tablets	2–4 mg/kg PO q12–24h
Indomethacin	Indocin			Safe dose has not been established
Interferon (interferon alpha-2a, HulFN-alpha)	Roferon	Cytokine/immunomodulation in cats with FeLV and/or FIV infection (clinical value of treatment is not established)	3 million U/vial	Cat: 30 U/cat/day, PO; or 15–30 U/cat IM or SC once daily for 7 days and repeated every other wk
Ipecac syrup (OTC)	Ipecac	Oral emetic		NO LONGER RECOMMENDED: can cause fatal arrhythmias
Ipodate	Bilivist; Oragrafin	Organic iodine/treatment of hyperthyroidism (especially in cats)	500-mg capsules (should be formulated for cats as 50-mg ampules)	Dog: 15 mg/kg, PO, q12h
				Cat: 100–200 mg (total dose)/cat once daily; dose may be reduced if the 2-wk response is judged satisfactory
Iron	See Ferrous sulfate
Isoflurane	Isoflurane; Forane; Aerrane; others	Inhalation anesthetic	100-mL bottle	Induction: 5%
				Maintenance: 1.5–2.5%
Isoproterenol	Isuprel	Beta-agonist/uncommonly used to treat acute bronchoconstriction and certain cardiac arrhythmias	0.2 mg/mL ampules for injection	10 μg/kg IM, SC q6h; or dilute 1 mg in 500 mL of 5% dextrose or Ringer's solution and infuse IV 0.5–1 mL/min (1–2 μg/min) or to effect
Isosorbide dinitrate	Isordil; Isorbid; Sorbitrate	Vasodilator/congestive heart failure	2.5-,5-,10-,20-,30-, and 40-mg tablets;40-mg capsules	2.5–5 mg/animal PO q12h (or 0.22-1.1 mg/kg PO q12h)
Isosorbide mononitrate	Monoket	Vasodilator/congestive heart failure	10-and 20-mg tablets	5 mg/dog PO, two doses/day 7 h apart
Isotretinoin	Accutane	Synthetic retinoid/treatment of dermatologic diseases associated with epithelial cell proliferation (e.g., ichthyosis, cutaneous lymphoma)	10-,20-, and 40-mg capsules	1–3 mg/kg/day (up to maximum recommended dose of 3–4 mg/kg/day PO)
Itraconazole	Sporanox	Antifungal/treatment of systemic mycoses	100-mg capsules	Dog: 2.5 mg/kg PO q12h or 5 mg/kg PO q24h
				Cat: 1.5–3.0 mg/kg PO up to 5 mg/kg PO q24h
Ivermectin	Heartgard; Ivomec; Eqvalan liquid	Antiparasiticide/multiple applications	1% (10 mg/mL) injectable solution; 10 mg/mL oral solution; 18.7 mg/mL oral paste; 68-,136-, and 272-μg tablets	Heartworm preventative:
				Dog: 6 μg/kg (range: 3 to 12 μg/kg) PO q30 days
				Cat: 24 μg/kg PO q30days
				Microfilaricide: 50 μg/kg PO 2 wk after adulticide therapy
				Ectoparasite therapy (dog and cat): 200–300-μg/kg IM, SC, PO
				Endoparasites (dog and cat): 200–400 μg/kg SC, PO weekly
				Demodex therapy: 600 μg/kg/day PO for 60–120 days
Kanamycin	Kantrim	Antibacterial	200-and 500-mg/mL injection	10 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q6–8h
Kaopectate (kaolin + pectin) (OTC)	Kaopectate	GI adsorbent/management of acute, simple diarrheal disorders, especially result of dietary indiscretion	12 oz oral suspension	1–2 mL/kg PO q2–6h
Ketamine	Ketalar; Ketavet; Vetalar	Dissociative anesthetic	100 mg/mL injection solution	Dog: 5.5–22 mg/kg IV, IM (recommend adjunctive sedative or tranquilizer treatment)
				Cat:2–25 mg/kg IV, IM (recommend adjunctive sedative or tranquilizer treatment)
Ketoconazole	Nizoral	Antifungal/systemic mycoses, Malassezia canis infection; limited application in the treatment of canine hyperadrenocorticism	200-mg tablet; 100 mg/mL oral suspension (only available in Canada)	Dog: 10–15 mg/kg PO q8–12h
				Malassezia canis: 10 mg/kg PO q24h or 5 mg/kg PO q12h)
				Cat: 5–10 mg/kg PO q8–12h
				Hyperadrenocorticism:
				Dog: 15 mg/kg PO q12h
Ketoprofen	Orudis-KT (OTC); Ketofen	NSAID/pain management	12.5-mg tablet (OTC); 100 mg/mL injection	Dog and cat: 1 mg/kg PO q24h for up to
				5 days or 2.0 mg/kg IV, IM, SC for one dose
Ketorolac tromethamine	Toradol	NSAID/pain management	10-mg tablet; 15 and 30 mg/mL injection in 10% alcohol	Dog: 0.5 mg/kg PO, IM, IV q12h for not more than two doses
				Cat: DO NOT USE
L-Dopa	See Levodopa
Lactated Ringer's solution	Generic	Fluid replacement	250-,500-, and 1000-mL bags	Maintenance: 40–50 mL/kg/day IV
				Shock therapy:
				Dog: 90 mL/kg IV
				Cat: 60–70 mL/kg IV
Lactulose	Chonulac; generic	Disaccharide laxative/limit bowel absorption of protein and facilitate lowering of blood ammonia levels in patients with hepatic encephalopathy	10 g/15 mL	Constipation: 1 mL/4.5 kg PO q8h (to effect)
				Hepatic encephalopathy:
				Dog: 0.5 mL/kg PO q8h
				Cat: 2.5–5 mL/cat PO q8h
Leucovorin (folinic acid)	Wellcovorin; generic	Antidote/folic acid antagonism; application in dogs and cats is not established	5-,10-,15-, and 25-mg tablets; 3 and 5 mg/mL injection	With methotrexate administration: 3 mg/m2 IV, IM, PO
				Antidote for pyrimethamine toxicosis: 1 mg/kg PO q24h
Levamisole	Levasole, Tramisol Injectable	Antiparasitic/treatment of nematode infection; also proposed to be a non-specific immunostimulant	0.184-g bolus;11.7-g/13-g packet; 50-mg tablet	Dog:
				Hookworms: 5–8 mg/kg PO once (up to
				10 mg/kg PO for 2 days)
				Microfilaricide: 10 mg/kg PO q24h for 6–10 days
				Immunostimulant: 0.5–2 mg/kg PO 3 times/wk
				Cat: 4.4 mg/kg once PO (for lungworms: 20–40 mg/kg PO q48h for five treatments)
Levodopa	Larodopa; l-Dopa	Dopamine agonist/hepatic encephalopathy	100-, 250-, and 500-mg tablets or capsules	Hepatic encephalopathy: 6.8 mg/kg initially; then 1.4 mg/kg q6h
Levothyroxine sodium (T4)	Soloxine; Thyro-Tabs; Synthoid	Hormone/hypothyroidism	0.1-to 0.8-mg tablets (in 0.1-mg increments)	Dog: 18–22 g/kg, PO, q12h (adjust dose via monitoring T4 levels)
				Cat: 10–20 g/kg/day, PO (adjust dose via monitoring T4 levels)
Lidocaine (without epinephrine)	Xylocaine; generic	Anesthetic and antiarrhythmic/ventricular arrhythmias; also local and regional anesthetic; has been used systemically for pain	5-,10-,15-, and 20-mg/mL injection	Dog (antiarrhythmic): 2–4 mg/kg IV (to a maximum dose of 8 mg/kg over 10-min period); 25–75 g/kg/min IV infusion
				Cat (antiarrhythmic): 0.25–0.75 mg/kg IV slowly; for epidural (dog and cat): 4.4 mg/kg of 2% solution
Lincomycin	Lincocin	Antibacterial	100-,200-, and 500-mg tablets	15–25 mg/kg PO q12h
				For pyoderma: Doses as low as 10 mg/kg q12h have been used
Liothyronine (T3)	Cytomel	Hormone (active form of T3)/replacement therapy in patients with hypothyroidism that fail to respond to T4	60-μg tablet	4.4 g/kg PO q8h
				For T3 suppression test (cats): Collect presample for T4 and T3; administer 25 g q8h for 7 doses; then collect post samples for T3 and T4 after last dose
Lisinopril	Prinivil; Zestril	ACE inhibitor/vasodilator for treatment of hypertension or heart failure	2.5-,5-,10-,20-, and 40-mg tablets	Dog: 0.5 mg/kg PO q24h
				Cat: No dose established
Lithium carbonate	Lithotabs	Nonspecific immunostimulant/adjunctive treatment to increase neutrophil counts in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia	150-,300-, and 600-mg capsules; 300-mg tablet; 300 mg/5 mL syrup	Dog: 10 mg/kg PO q12h
				Cat: Not recommended
Loperamide	Imodium; generic	Analgesic (opiate)/nonspecific management of diarrhea	2-mg tablet; 0.2 mg/mL oral liquid	Dog: 0.1 mg/kg PO q8–12h
				Cat: 0.08–0.16 mg/kg PO q12h
Lufenuron	Program	Antiparasitic/flea control	45-,90-,135-,204.9-and 409.8-mg tablets; 135 and 270 mg suspension per unit pack	Dog: 10/mg/kg PO q30days
				Cat: 30 mg/kg PO q30days; 10 mg/kg SC q6mo
Lufenuron + milbemycin oxime	Sentinel tablets; Flavor Tabs	Antiparasitic/flea control plus heartworm preventative effective against certain intestinal parasites	Milbemycin/lufenuron ratio is as follows: 2.3/46-mg Sentinel tablets; 5.75/115-,11.5/230-, and 23/460-mg Flavor Tabs	Dog: Administer 1 tablet q30days as recommended by manufacturer (each tablet formulated for size of dog)
				Cat: DO NOT USE
Luteinizing hormone	See Gonadorelin
l-Lysine (OTC)	l-Lysine (multiple preparations)	Amino acid/prevention of feline herpesvirus-1 recrudesence	250-500-mg capsules	Cat (empiric dose): Mix 250 mg with food once daily
				NOTE: Efficacy studies have not been performed; no known effect on feline calicivirus carrier cats
Magnesium chloride	Generic	Elemental salt/ventricular dysrhythmias, refractory hypokalemia, and ventricular fibrillation	200 mg/mL in 50-mL vials for injection	0.15–0.3 mEq/kg IV over 2–10 min; or
				0.75 mEq/kg/day IV by CRI
Magnesium citrate	Citroma; Citro-Nesia (Citro-Mag in Canada)	Laxative	Oral solution	2–4 mL/kg PO
Magnesium hydroxide (OTC)	Milk of Magnesia	Laxative	Oral liquid	Antacid: 5–10 mL/kg PO q4–6h
				Cathartic: Dog: 15–50 PO mL/kg
				Cat: 2–6 mL/cat PO q24h
Magnesium sulfate (OTC)	Epsom salts	Laxative/also used for oral magnesium supplementation	Crystals; many generic preparations	Dog: 8–25 g/dog PO q24h
				Cat: 2–5 g/cat PO q24h
Mannitol	Osmitrol	Diuretic (osmotic)/management of anuric and/or oliguric renal failure; applications in management of glaucoma and cerebral edema	5–25% solution for injection	Diuretic: 1 g/kg 5–25% solution IV to maintain urine flow
				Glaucoma or CNS edema: 0.25–2 g/kg 15–25% solution IV over 30–60 min (repeat in 6 h if necessary)
Marbofloxacin	Zeniquin	Antibacterial	25-,50-,100-,200-mg tablets	Dog: 2.75–5.55 mg/kg PO q24h
				Cat: dose not established
MCT oil	MCT oil (many sources)	Medium-chain triglyceride/lipid supplement used in patients with GI absorptive disorders	Oral liquid	1–2 mL/kg/day in food
Mebendazole	Telmintic	Antiparasitic/multiple applications for treatment of endoparasites	40 mg/powder	22 mg/kg (with food) q24h for 3 days
Meclizine	Antivert; generic	Antihistamine/antiemetic, especially when nausea is associated with vertigo	12.5-,25-, and 50-mg tablets	Dog: 25 mg PO q24h (for motion sickness, administer 1 h before traveling)
				Cat: 12.5 mg PO q24h
Meclofenamate	Arquel; Meclomen	NSAID/pain management	50-and 100-mg capsules	Dog: 1 mg/kg/day PO for up to 5 days
Medetomidine	Domitor	Analgesic/adjunct for anesthesia; restraint	1.0 mg/mL injection	750 μg/m2 IV or 1000 g/m2 IM
Medium-chain triglycerides	See MCT oil
Medroxyprogesterone acetate	Depo-Provera (injection); Provera (tablets)	Hormone/management of certain dermatologic and behavior disorders, including urine spraying in cats; benign prostatic hyperplasia;	150 and 400 mg/mL suspension injection; 2.5-,5-, and 10-mg tablets	1.1–2.2 mg/kg IM q7days
				Behavior disorders: 10–20 mg/kg SC
				Prostatic hyperplasia: 3–5 mg/kg SC, IM
Megstrol acetate	Ovaban; Megace	Hormone/management of certain dermatologic and behavior disorders, including urine spraying in cats	5-mg tablet	Dog:
				Proestrus: 2 mg/kg PO q24h for 8 days
				Anestrus: 0.5 mg/kg PO q24h for 30 days
				Behavior disorders: 2–4 mg/kg q24h for 8 days (reduce dose for maintenance)
				Cat (NOTE: Any use in cats is EXTRA-LABEL):
				Dermatologic therapy or urine spraying: 2.5–5 mg/cat PO q24h for 1 wk; then reduce to 5 mg once or twice/wk
				Estrus suppression: 5 mg/cat/day for 3 days; then 2.5–5 mg once/wk for 10 wk
Melarsomine	Immiticide	Antiparasitic (arsenical)/treatment of canine heartworm disease	25 mg/mL injection; after reconstitution retains potency for 24 h	Administer via deep IM injection
				Class 1–2 dogs: 2.5 mg/kg/day for 2 consecutive days
				Class 3 dogs: 2.5 mg/kg once, then in 1 mo two additional doses 24 h apart
				Cat: DO NOT USE
Meloxicam	Metacam	NSAID/pain management	1.5 mg/mL oral solution	0.2 mg/kg PO, initial loading dose; then
				0.1 mg/kg PO q12h
Melphalan	Alkeran	Antineoplastic/used in treatment protocols for multiple tumor types	2-mg tablet	1.5 mg/m2 or 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q24h for
				7–10 days; repeat every 3 wk
Meperidine	Demerol	Analgesic (opiate)/pain management	50-and 100-mg tablets;10 mg/mL syrup; 25,50,75, and 100 mg/mL injection	Dog: 5–10 mg/kg IV, IM as often as q2–3h (or as needed)
				Cat: 3–5 mg/kg IV, IM q2–4h (or as needed)
Mepivicaine	Carbocaine-V	Local anesthetic	2% (20 mg/mL) injection	Variable dose for local infiltration
				For epidural,0.5 mg of 2% solution q30sec until reflexes are absent.
6-Mercaptopurine	Purinethol	Antineoplastic/used in treatment protocols for multiple tumor types	50-mg tablet	50 mg/m2 PO q24h
				Caution: Consult treatment protocol before administering.
Meropenem	Merrem	Antibacterial/especially in treating resistant infections caused by Pseudomonas, E. coli, and Klebsiella	500 mg in 20-mL vial, or 1 g in 30-mL vial for injection	20 mg/kg IV q8h
				For meningitis: 40 mg/kg IV q8h
Mesalamine	Asacol; Mesasal; Pentasa	Antidiarrheal/alternative use in patients unable to tolerate sulfasalazine in treatment of colitis	400-mg tablet; 250-mg capsule	Veterinary dose has not been established.
				The usual human dose is 400–500 mg q6–8h (also see Sulfasalazine, Olsalazine)
Metaproterenol	Alupent; Metaprel	Beta-agonist/bronchodilator therapy	10-and 20-mg tablets; 5 mg/mL syrup; inhalers	0.325–0.65 mg/kg PO q4–6h
Metaformin	Glucophage	Oral hypoglycemic/management of type 2 diabetes in cats	500-and 800-mg tablets	Cats: 2 mg/kg PO q12h
Methazolamide	Neptazane	Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor/treatment of open-angle glaucoma	25-and 50-mg tablets	2–4 mg/kg (up to maximum dose of 4–6 mg/kg) PO q8–12h
Methenamine hippurate	Hiprex; Urex	Urinary antiseptic/of questionable value	1-g tablet	Dog: 500 mg/dog PO q12h
				Cat: 250 mg/cat PO q12h
Methenamine mandelate	Mandelamine; generic	Urinary antiseptic/of questionable value	1-g tablet; granules for oral solution; 50 and 100 mg/mL oral suspension	10–20 mg/kg PO q8–12h
Methimazole	Tapazole	Antithyroidal/management of feline hyperthyroidism	5-and 10-mg tablets	Cat: 2.5 mg/cat q12h PO for 7–14 days; then 5–10 mg/cat PO q12h and adjust by monitoring T4
Methionine (DL)	Uroeze; DL-methionine powder	Urinary acidifier	500-mg tablets and powders added to animal's food; 75 mg/5 mL pediatric oral solution; 200-mg capsule	Dog: 150–300 mg/kg/day PO
				Cat: 1–1.5 g/cat PO (added to food each day)
Methionine (S-adenosyl)	See SAMe
Methocarbamol	Robaxin-V	Muscle relaxant/adjunctive therapy for trauma, acute inflammation of skeletal muscle and/or tremorigenic toxins	500-and 750-mg tablets;	44 mg/kg PO q8h on the first day; then
			100 mg/mL injection	22–44 mg/kg PO q8h
Methohexital	Brevital	Ultra-short-acting barbiturate/anesthetic induction	0.5-,2.5-, and 5-gram vials for injection	3–6 mg/kg IV (give slowly to effect)
Methotrexate	MTX; Mexate; Folex; Rheumatrex; generic	Antineoplastic/used in treatment protocols for multiple tumor types, especially lymphomas	2.5-mg tablet; 2.5 or 25 mg/mL injection	2.5–5 mg/m2 PO q48h (dose depends on specific protocol) or:
				Dog: 0.3–0.5 mg/kg IV once/wk
				Cat: 0.8 mg/kg IV q2–3wk
Methoxamine	Vasoxyl	Vasopressor/used in critical care setting to increase blood pressure	20 mg/mL injection	200–250 g/kg IM or 40–80 g/kg IV
Methoxyflurane	Metofane	Inhalation anesthetic/uncommonly used today	4-oz bottle for inhalation	Induction: 3%
				Maintenance: 0.5–1.5%
Methylene blue 0.1%	Generic; also called new methylene blue	Antidote/emergency treatment of methemoglobinemia	1% solution (10 mg/mL)	1.5 mg/kg IV slowly; use once.
Methylprednisolone	Medrol	Glucorticoid/antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive	1-,2-,4-,8-,18-, and 32-mg tablets	In cats, Use With Caution 0.22–0.44 mg/kg PO q12–24h
				NOTE: Methylprednisolone is 1.25 times more potent than prednisolone
Methylprednisolone acetate	Depo-Medrol	Repository glucocorticoid/antiinflammatory (extended duration of activity)	20 and 40 mg/mL suspension for injection	Dog: 1 mg/kg (or 20–40 mg/dog) IM q1–3wk
				Cat: 10–20 mg/cat IM q1–3wk
				NOTE: Actual dose may vary, depending on use and effect
Methylpredni-solone sodium succinate	Solu-Medrol	Glucocorticoid/adjunctive treatment for patients in shock or with spinal cord trauma/swelling	1-and 2-g and 125-and 500-mg vials for injection	For emergency use: 30 mg/kg IV; repeat at 15 mg/kg IV in 2–6 h
				For replacement therapy or antiinflammatory therapy; see also Prednisolone
4-Methylpyrazole (4-MP)	See Fomepizole
Methyltestosterone	Android; generic	Hormone/replacement therapy; also an anabolic agent used to induce erythropoiesis	10-and 25-mg tablets	Dog: 5–25 mg/dog PO q24–48h
				Cat: 2.5–5 mg/cat PO q24–48h
Metoclopramide	Reglan: Maxolon; others	Antiemetic/especially in patients with vomiting associated with gastroparesis	5-and 10-mg tablets;	0.2–0.5 mg/kg IV, IM, PO q6–8h; or
			1 mg/mL oral solution; 5 mg/mL injection	1–2 mg/kg/day IV by CRI (approx 0.1–0.2 mg/kg/h)
Metoprolol	Lopressor	Beta blocker/management of tachycardia	50-and 100-mg tablets; 1 mg/mL injection	Dog: 5–50 mg/dog (0.5–1.0 mg/kg) PO q8h
				Cat: 2–15 mg/cat PO q8h
Metronidazole	Flagyl; generic	Antiparasitic and antibacterial/effective against anaerobic bacteria; somewhat effective against Giardia (fenbendazole is preferred)	250-and 500-mg tablets; 50 mg/mL suspension; 5 mg/mL injection	Anaerobic infection:
				Dog: 15 mg/kg PO q12h or 12 mg/kg q8h;
				Cat: 10–25 mg/kg PO q24h
				Giardia: Dog: 12–15 mg/kg PO q12h for 8 days;
				Cat: 17 mg/kg (⅓ tablet per cat) q24h for 8 days
Mexiletine	Mexitil	Antiarrhythmic/ventricular arrhythmias	150-,200-, and 250-mg capsules	Dog: 5–8 mg/kg PO q8–12h (USE CAUTIOUSLY)
				Cat: No dose established
Mibolerone	Cheque Drops	Hormone (androgenic)/suppression of estrus and treatment of false pregnancy (pseudocyesis)	55 μg/mL oral solution	Dog: 0.45–11.3 kg,30 μg; 11.8–22.7 kg,
				60 μg; 23–43.3 kg,120 μg; >45.8 kg,180 μg; or approximately 2.6–5-μg/kg/day PO
				Cat: DO NOT USE
				WARNING: Multiple adverse effects are possible when used in prepubertal females
Midazolam	Versed	Benzodiazepine/pre-anesthetic medication	5 mg/mL injection	0.1–0.25 mg/kg IV, IM (or 0.1–0.3 mg/kg/h IV infusion)
				NOTE: May cause excitement in cats
Milbemycin oxime	Interceptor; Interceptor Flavor Tabs	GABA inhibitor/prevention of canine heartworm disease, microfilaricide; also used to treat demodicosis	23-,11.5-,5.75-, and 2.3-mg tablets	Dog:
				Microfilaricide: 0.5 mg/kg
				Demodex: 2 mg/kg PO q24h for 60–120 days
				Heartworm prevention: 0.5 mg/kg PO q30days
Milk of Magnesia (OTC)	See Magnesium hydroxide
Mineral oil (OTC)	Generic	Laxative (lubricant)	Oral liquid	Dog: 10–50 mL/dog PO q12h
				Cat: 10–25 mL/cat PO q12h
Minocycline	Minocin	Antibacterial	50-and 100-mg tablets;10 mg/mL oral suspension	5–12.5 mg/kg PO q12h
Misoprostol	Cytotec	Prostaglandin E1 analog/treatment of gastric ulcers, especially those associated with NSAID use	0.1-mg (100-μg) and	Dog: 2–5 μg/kg PO q6–8h
			0.2-mg (200-μg) tablets	Cat: Dose not established
Mitotane (o, p¢-DDD)	Lysodren	Cytotoxic agent/treatment of hyperadrenocorticism associated with adrenal hyperplasia; less effective if treating adrenal gland neoplasia	500-mg tablet	Dog:
				Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism: 50 mg/kg/day (in divided doses) PO for 7–10 days; then 25 mg/kg/wk PO
				Adrenal neoplasia: 50–75 mg/kg/day for 10 days; then 75–100 mg/kg/wk PO
Mitoxantrone	Novantrone	Antineoplastic/used in treatment protocols for multiple tumor types	2 mg/mL injection	Dog: 6 mg/m2 IV q21days
				Cat: 6.5 mg/m2 IV q21days
Morphine	Generic	Analgesic (opiate)/pain management	1 and 15 mg/mL injection; 30-and 60-mg delayed-release tablets	Dog: 0.1–1 mg/kg IV, IM, SC (dose is escalated as needed for pain relief) q4–6h
				Epidural: 0.1 mg/kg
				Cat: 0.1 mg/kg q3–6h IM, SC (or as needed)
Naloxone	Narcan	Opiate antagonist/opiate reversal	20 and 400 μg/mL injection	0.01–0.04 mg/kg IV, IM, SC as needed to reverse opiate
Naltrexone	Trexan	Opiate antagonist/management of certain behavioral disorders (e.g., tail chasing, self-mutilation)	50-mg tablet	Dog: 2.2 mg/kg PO q12h
Nandrolone decanoate	Deca-Durabolin	Anabolic steroid/appetite stimulant; also used to stimulate erythropoiesis	50,100, and 200 mg/mL injection	Dog: 1–1.5 mg/kg/wk IM
				Cat: 1 mg/cat/wk IM
Naproxen	Naprosyn; Naxen; Aleve (naproxen sodium)	NSAID/pain management	220-mg tablet (OTC); 25-mg/mL suspension liquid; 250-,375-, and 500-mg tablets (Rx)	Dog: 5 mg initially, then 2 mg/kg q48h
Neomycin	Biosol	Antibacterial/management of hepatic encephalopathy (gut “sterilization”)	500-mg bolus; 200 mg/mL oral liquid	10–20 mg/kg PO q6–12h
Neostigmine bromide and neostigmine methylsulfate	Prostigmin; Stiglyn	Anticholinesterase/diagnosis of myasthenia gravis; antidote for anticholinergic intoxication and massive ivermectin overdose in cats	15-mg tablet (neostigmine bromide); 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL injection (neostigmine methylsulfate)	2 mg/kg/day PO (in divided doses, to effect)
				Injection: antimyasthenic: 10 μg/kg IM, SC, as needed; antidote for nondepolarizing neuromuscular block: 40μg/kg IM, SC; diagnostic aid for myasthenia gravis: 40 μg/kg IM or 20 μg/kg IV
Nitrofurantoin	Macrodantin; Furalan; Furatoin; Furadantin; generic	Antibacterial/especially in susceptible urinary tract infections	Macrodantin and generic: 25-, 50-, and 100-mg capsules Furalan, Furatoin, and generic: 50-and 100-mg tablets Furadantin: 5 mg/mL oral suspension	10 mg/kg/day divided into four daily treatments; then 1 mg/kg PO at night
Nitroglycerin ointment	Nitrol; Nitro-Bid; Nitrostat	Venodilator/management of congestive heart failure	0.5,0.8,1,5-, and 10 mg/mL injection; 2% ointment; transdermal (0.2 mg/h systems patch)	Dog: 4–12 mg (up to 15 mg) topically q12h
				Cat: 2–4 mg topically q12h (or ¼ inch of ointment per cat)
Nitroprusside	Nitropress	Vascular and smooth muscle relaxant/acute hypertension; acute heart failure secondary to mitral regurgitation	50-mg vial for injection	1–5 mg, up to maximum of 10 μg/kg/min IV infusion
Nizatidine	Axid	H2 receptor antagonist/reduce gastric acid production and prevention of gastric ulcers	150-and 300-mg capsules	2.5–5.0 mg/kg, PO once daily
Norfloxacin	Noroxin	Antibacterial	400-mg tablet	22 mg/kg PO q12h
Olsalazine	Dipentum	Antidiarrheal/alternative drug to sulfasalazine for management of colitis in dogs (expensive)	500-mg tablet	Dosage in animals is not established
				Dog: 5–10 mg/kg, PO q8h is recommended
Omeprazole	Prilosec (formerly Losec); Gastrogard (equine paste)	Proton pump inhibitor/gastric ulceration and erosion	20-mg capsule	Dog: 20 mg/dog PO once daily (or 0.7 mg/kg q24h)
				Cat: DO NOT USE
Ondansetron	Zofran	5-HT3 receptor antagonist/antiemetic for patients with severe vomiting	4-and 8-mg tablets; 2 mg/mL injection	0.1–1.0 mg/kg PO 30 min before cancer chemotherapy
				For intractable vomiting: 0.11 to 0.176 mg/kg, IV slow push
Orbifloxacin	Orbax	Antibacterial	5.7-,22.7-, and 68-mg tablets	2.5 to 7.5 mg/kg PO once daily
Ormetoprim + Sulfadimethoxine	Primor	Antibacterial	Combination tablet: 120-,250-, 600-, and 1200-mg tablets.	27 mg/kg on 1st day followed by 13.5 mg/kg PO q24h
Oxacillin	Prostaphlin; generic	Antibacterial	250-and 500-mg capsules; 50 mg/mL oral solution	22–40 mg/kg PO q8h
Oxazepam	Serax	Benzodiazepine/appetite stimulant	15-mg tablet	Cat: appetite stimulant: 2.5 mg/cat PO
Oxtriphylline	Choledyl-SA	Bronchodilator/chronic bronchitis (feline asthma?)	400-and 600-mg tablets (oral solutions and syrup available in Canada but not U.S.)	Dog: 47 mg/kg (equivalent to 30 mg/kg theophyllline) PO q12h
				Cat: Dose Not Available
Oxybutynin	Ditropan	Urinary antispasmodic/adjunctive treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia (includes FeLV-positive cats)	5-mg tablet	Dog: 0.2 mg/kg PO q8–12h (or 1.25 to 3.75 mg/dog q12h)
				Cat: 0.5–1.0 mg/kg PO q8–12h
Oxymetholone	Anadrol	Hormone (anabolic steroid)/may stimulate erythropoiesis	50-mg tablet	1–5 mg/kg/day PO
Oxymorphone	Numorphan	Analgesic (opiate)/pain management	1.5 and 1 mg/mL injection	Analgesia: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg IV, SC, IM (as needed); redose with 0.05–0.1 mg/kg q1–2h. Preanesthetic: 0.025–0.05 mg/kg IM, SC
Oxytetracycline	Terramycin	Antibacterial	250-mg tablets; 100 and 200 mg/mL injection	7.5–10 mg/kg IV q12h; 20 mg/kg PO q12h
Oxytocin	Pitocin; Syntocinon (nasal solution); generic	Hormone/induction of labor or parturition	10 and 20 U/mL injection; 40 U/mL nasal solution	Dog: 5–20 U/dog SC, IM (repeat every 30 min for primary inertia) Cat: 3–5 U/cat SC, IM (repeat every 30 min)
2-PAM	See Pralidoxime chloride
Pancreatic enzyme	Viokase	Digestive enzymes/management of exocrine insufficiency	16,800 U lipase, 70,000 U protease, and 70,000 U amylase per 0.7 g; also capsules and tablets	Mix 2 tsp powder with food/20 kg; or 1–3 tsp/0.45 kg of food 20 min before feeding
Pancuronium bromide	Pavulon	Neuromuscular blocker/muscle relaxation as an adjunct to anesthesia	1 and 2 mg/mL injection	0.1 mg/kg IV, or start with 0.01 mg/kg and additional doses of 0.01 mg/kg q30min
Paregoric	Corrective mixture	Antidiarrheal/management of simple diarrhea	2 mg morphine per 5 mL of paregoric	0.05–0.06 mg/kg PO q12h
Paromomycin	Humatin	Antiparasitic/cryptosporidiosis in cats	250-mg capsules	Cat: 125–165 mg/kg, PO, q12h for 7 days.
				WARNING: toxicity and renal damage have been reported at these doses
Paroxetine	Paxil	Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)/management of behavior disorders	10-,20-,30-, and 40-mg tablets	Dog and Cat: 2.5–5.0 mg (total dose)
				PO once daily
				Cat (alternative): ⅛ to ¼ of 10-mg tablet daily PO
D-Penicillamine	Cuprimine; Depen	Chelating agent/treatment of lead poisoning; also for cystine urolithiasis	125-and 250-mg capsules and 250-mg tablets	10–15 mg/kg PO q12h
Penicillin G benzathine	Benza-Pen; others	Antibacterial	1,50,000 U/mL, combined with 1,50,000 U/mL procaine penicillin G	24,000 U/kg IM q48h
Penicillin G potassium; penicillin G sodium	Multiple	Antibacterial	5 million– to 20 million–unit vials	20,000–40,000 U/kg IV, IM q6–8h
Penicillin G procaine	Generic	Antibacterial	30,0000 U/mL suspension	20,000–40,000 U/kg IV, IM q12–24h
Penicillin V	Pen-Vee	Antibacterial	250-and 500-mg tablets	10 mg/kg PO q8h
Pentazocine	Talwin-V	Analgesic (opiate)/pain management	30 mg/mL injection	Dog: 1.65–3.3 mg/kg IM q4h
				Cat: 2.2–3.3 mg/kg IV, IM, SC; 25–30 mg/kg
Pentobarbital	Nembutal; generic	Anesthetic/sedative or injectable anesthetic	50 mg/mL	IV for anesthesia
			NOTE: This formulation is
			NOT to be used for euthanasia.
Pentoxifylline	Trental	Antiinflammatory effects/has been used to treat immune-mediated skin disorders (e.g., associated with vasculitis) in dogs	400-mg tablet	Dog: For use in canine dermatology and for vasculitis,10 mg/kg PO q12h
Phenobarbital	Luminal; generic	Barbiturate/sedation and anticonvulsant	15-,30-,60-, and 100-mg tablets; 30,60,65, and 130 mg/mL injection; 4 mg/mL oral elixir solution	Dog: 2–8 mg/kg PO q12h
				Cat: 2–4 mg kg PO q12h
				Dog and cat: Adjust dose by monitoring plasma concentration
				Status epilepticus: Administer in increments of 10–20 mg/kg IV to effect
Phenoxybenzamine	Dibenzyline	Alpha-adrenergic blocker/reduces internal urethral sphincter tone associated with detrusor areflexia; also hypertension associated with pheochromocytoma	10-mg capsule	Dog:
				Urinary: 0.25 mg/kg PO q8–12h or 0.5 mg/kg q24h
				Hypertension: 0.2–1.5 mg/kg, PO bid for 10–14 days before surgery
				Cat: 2.5 mg/cat q8–12h or 0.5 mg/cat PO q12h
				NOTE: In cats, doses as high as 0.5 mg/kg IV have been used to relax urethal smooth muscle
Phentolamine	Regitine	Vasodilator/hypertension	5-mg vial for injection	0.02–0.1 mg/kg IV
Phenylbutazone	Butazolidin; generic	NSAID	100-,200-,400-mg and 1-g tablets; 200 mg/mL injection	NOT recommended for use in dogs and cats (better drugs are available)
Phenylephrine	Neo-Synephrine	Alpha-adrenergic/treatment of hypotension in the critical care setting; also used topically intranasally prior to rhinoscopy	10 mg/mL injection; 1% nasal solution	Dog and Cat: 1–3 μg/kg/min CRI in 0.9% saline or D5W;0.1 mg/kg, IM, SC, q15min
				Topical: 3–5 drops intranasally to effect to induce local vasoconstriction
Phenylpropanol-amine	Dexatrim; Propagest; others	Adrenergic agonist/urinary incontinence associated with urethral sphincter hypotonus	15-,25-,30-, and 50-mg tablets	Dog: 12.5–50 mg (total) PO q8h or 1.5–2 mg/kg, PO, q12h
				Cat: 12.5 mg (total) PO q8h or1.5 mg/kg, PO, q8h
Phenytoin	Dilantin	Anticonvulsant/not generally recommended; limited application in digoxin-induced arrhythmias	30 and 1250 mg/mL oral suspension; 30-and 100-mg capsules; 50 mg/mL injection	Antiepileptic (dog): 20–34 mg/kg q8h
				Digoxin-induced antiarrhythmic: 30 mg/kg PO q8h or 10 mg/kg IV over 5 min
Phenytoin + Pentobarbital sodium	Beuthanasia-D Special; Euthasol	Euthanasia solution	100-mL multiple dose vials	1 mL/10 lb body weight IV. NOTE: Alternative routes (at the same dosage) can be used in profoundly debilitated patients (e.g., intraperitoneal, intracardiac)
Physostigmine	Antilirium	Cholinesterase inhibitor/limited application; may be of use in promoting micturition in patients with urinary retention (postoperatively)	1 mg/mL injection	0.02 mg/kg IV q12h
Phytomenadione	See Vitamin K1
Phytonadione	See Vitamin K1
Piperacillin	Pipracil	Antibacterial	2-,3-,4-, and 40-g vials for injection	40 mg/kg IV or IM q6h
Piperazine	Many	Antiparasitic/roundworms	860 mg powder; 140-mg capsule, 17,0340, and 800 mg/mL oral solution	44–66 mg/kg PO administered once
Piroxicam	Feldene; generic	NSAID/has antitumor effects (indirect) in patients with transitional cell carcinoma (palliative treatment)	10-mg capsules	Dog: 0.3 mg/kg, PO, once daily Cat: 0.3 mg/kg PO, q24–72h (Administer with food)
Pitressin (ADH)	See Vasopressin and Desmopressin acetate
Plicamycin (formerly mithramycin)	Mithracin	Antineoplastic/adjunctive treatment in carcinoma protocols; also used to decrease calcium levels in hypercalcemic cancer patients	2.5 mg/mL injection	Dog:
				Antineoplastic: 25–30 μg/kg/day IV (slow infusion) for 8–10 days
				Antihypercalcemic: 25 μg/kg/day IV (slow infusion) over 4 hours
				Cat: NOT recommended
Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution	GoLYTELY	Laxative	Oral solution	25 mg/kg PO; repeat in 2–4 hours PO
Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG)	Adequan Canine	Antiarthritic/long-term management of osteoarthritis	100 mg/mL injection in 5-mL vial (250 mg/mL vials for horses)	4.4 mg/kg IM twice weekly for up to 4 weeks
Potassium bromide (KBr)	No commercial formulation	Anticonvulsant/long-term antiepileptic therapy	Usually prepared as oral solution	Dog and Cat: 30–40 mg/kg PO q24h
				NOTE: If administered without phenobarbital, higher doses of up to 40–50 mg/kg may be needed; adjust doses by monitoring plasma concentrations; loading doses of 400 mg/kg divided over 3 days have been administered.
Potassium chloride (KCl)	Generic	Potassium salt/replacement therapy	Various concentrations for injection (usually 2 mEq/mL); oral suspension and oral solution	0.5 mEq potassium/kg/day; or supplement 10–40 mEq/500 mL of fluids, depending on serum potassium
Potassium citrate	Urocit-K; generic	Potassium salt/replacement therapy	5-mEq tablet; some forms are in combination with potassium chloride	2.2 mEq/100 kcal of energy/day PO; or 40–75 mg/kg PO q12h
Potassium gluconate	Kaon; Tumil-K; generic	Potassium source/replacement therapy	2-mEq tablet; 500-mg tablet; Kaon elixir is 20 mg/15 mL elixir	Dog: 0.5 mEq/kg PO 12–24h
				Cat: 2–8 mEq/day PO divided twice daily
Pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM)	2-PAM; Protopam Chloride	Cholinesterase re-activator/adjunctive treatment in patients with organophosphate toxicosis	50 mg/mL injection	20 mg/kg q8–12h (initial dose) IV slowly or IM
Praziquantel	Droncit	Antiparasitic/treatment of cestodes(tapeworms)	23-and 34-mg tablets; 56.8 mg/mL injection	Dog: <6.8 kg,7.5 mg/kg once; >6.8 kg, 5 mg/kg IM, SC once; <2.3 kg,7.5 mg/kg
				PO once; 2.7–4.5 kg,6.3 mg/kg PO once; >5 kg,5 mg/kg PO once
				Cat: <1.8 kg,6.3 mg/kg PO once; >1.8 kg, 5 mg/kg PO once.
				For Paragonimus: 25 mg/kg PO q8h for 2–3 days) 5 mg/kg IM, SC
Prazosin	Minipress	Alpha-1 blocker/adjunctive treatment of congestive heart failure; also hypertension and pulmonary hypertension (e.g., heartworm disease)	1-,2-, and 5-mg capsules	0.5-and 2-mg/animal (1 mg/15 kg) PO q8–12h
Prednisolone	Delta-Cortef; many others	Glucocorticoid/antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive	5-and 20-mg tablets	Dog (cat often requires 2 × dog dose):
				Antiinflammatory: 0.5–1 mg/kg IV, IM, PO q12–24h initially; then taper to q48h
				Immunosuppressive:2.2–6.6 mg/kg/day IV, IM, PO initially; then taper to 2–4 mg/kg q48h
				Replacement therapy: 0.2–0.3 mg/kg/day PO Shock, spinal trauma: See Prednisolone sodium succinate
Prednisolone sodium succinate	Solu-Delta-Cortef	Glucorticoid/adjunctive therapy for endotoxic or septic shock	100-and 200-mg vials for injection (10 and 50 mg/mL)	Shock: 5.5–11 mg/kg IV (repeat in 1,3,6, or 10 h)
				CNS trauma: 15–30 mg/kg IV; then taper to 1–2 mg/kg q12h
Prednisone	Deltasone; generic; Meticorten for injection	Glucocorticoid/antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive	1-,2.5-,5-,10-,20-,25-, and 50-mg tablets; 1 mg/mL syrup (Liquid-Pred in 5% alcohol); 1 mg/mL oral solution (in 5% alcohol); 10 and 40 mg/mL prednisone suspension for injection	Same as for prednisolone
Primidone	Mylepsin; Neurosyn	Anticonvulsant/idiopathic epilepsy (not generally recommended)	50-and 250-mg tablets	8–10 mg/kg PO q8–12h as initial dose, and then adjust via monitoring to 10–15 mg/kg q8h
				WARNING: May cause irreversible liver disease with prolonged administration
Procainamide	Pronestyl; generic	Antiarrhythmic/ventricular premature contractions (e.g., ventricular tachycardia)	250,375,500 mg/mL injection	Dog: 10–30 mg/kg PO q6h (up to maximum dose of 40 mg/kg); 8–20 mg/kg IV, IM; 25–50 μg/kg/min IV infusion
				Cat: 3–8 mg/kg IM, PO q6–8h
Procarbazine	Matulane; Natulan; Natulanar	Antineoplastic/component drug used in lymphoma protocols	50-mg capsules	Used in combination with mechlorethamine and prednisolone; consult latest information on protocols for precise dose
Prochlorperazine	Compazine	Phenothiazine/antiemetic	5-,10-, and 25-mg tablets (maleate); 5 mg/mL injection (edisylate)	0.1–0.5 mg/kg IM, SC q6–8h
Progesterone, repositol	See Medroxyprogesterone acetate
Promethazine	Phenergan	Phenothiazine/antiemetic	6.25 and 25 mg/5 mL syrup;12.5-, 25-, and 50-mg tablets; 25 and 50 mg/mL injection	0.2–0.4 mg/kg IV, IM, PO q6–8h (up to maximum dose of 1 mg/kg)
Propantheline bromide	Pro-Banthine	Antimuscarinic/antidiarrheal; also used to treat urge incontinence associated with detrusor hyperreflexia; oral antiemetic effect	7.5-and 15-mg tablets	Dog:
				Urge incontinence: 0.2 mg/kg PO q6–8h
				Diarrhea: 0.25 mg/kg PO three times daily for 2–3 days max
				Cat:
				Urge incontinence: 0.25–0.5 mg/kg PO once or twice daily
				Chronic colitis: 0.5 mg/kg PO two to three times daily
Propiopromazine	Tranvet; Largon	Antiemetic, tranquilizer/sedation, parenteral antiemetic	20 mg/mL injection	1.1–4.4 mg/kg q12–24h
Propionibacterium acnes (injection)	Immunoregulin	Immunomodulator/nonspecific immunostimulant used as adjunctive therapy in dogs with pyoderma and in retrovirus-positive cats	0.4 mg/mL in 5-and 50-mL vials	Dog: 0.03–0.07 mL/kg IV twice weekly for 10 wk (NOTE: dose is mL/kg)
				Cat: 0.5 mL IV twice weekly for 2 wk; then one injection weekly for 20 wk
				NOTE: Treatment is NOT expected to convert retrovirus-positive cats to a retrovirus-negative status.
Propofol	Rapinovet; PropoFlo	Short-acting injectable anesthetic (hypnotic)/induction or restraint for short-term procedures	1% (10 mg/mL) injection in 20-mL ampules	6.6 mg/kg IV slowly over 60 sec (constant-rate IV infusions have been used at 2 mg/kg/h)
Propranolol	Inderal	Beta blocker/antiarrhythmic	10-,20-,40-,60-,80-, and 90-mg tablets; 1 mg/mL injection; 4 and 8 mg/mL oral solution	Dog: 20–60 μg/kg over 5–10 min IV; 0.2–1 mg/kg PO q8h (titrate dose to effect)
				Cat: 0.4–1.2 mg/kg (2.5–5 mg/cat) PO q8h
Propylthiouracil (PTU)	Propyl-Thyracil; generic	Antithyroid/alternative drug used in the management of feline hyperthyroidism	50-and 100-mg tablets	Cat: 11 mg/kg PO q12h
Prostaglandin F2 alpha	Lutalyse; Dinoprost	Prostaglandin/open pyometra; pregnancy termination in dogs	5 mg/mL solution for injection	NOTE: Any use of this drug in dogs and cats is EXTRA-LABEL
				Open pyometra:
				Dog: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg SC once daily for 5 days;
				Cat: 0.1 mg/kg SC twice daily for 5 days
				NOTE: Concurrent antibiotic therapy is recommended. SURGERY IS ALWAYS PREFERRED!
				Abortion (within 30 days of the last unwanted breeding):
				Dog: 0.1 mg/kg SC q8h for 2 days; then 0.2 mg/kg SC q8h until abortion is confirmed by ultrasound.
Pseudoephedrine (OTC)	Sudafed; many others (some formulations have other ingredients)	Adrenergic agonist/urinary incontinence (generally only used when phenylpropanolamine is not available)	30-and 60-mg tablets; 120-mg capsule; 6 mg/mL syrup	0.2–0.4 mg/kg (or 15–60 mg/dog) PO q8–12h
Psyllium	Metamucil; others	Laxative, stool softener	Available as powder 180 mg/mL paste and 50 mg/mL suspension	1 tsp/5–10 kg (added to each meal)
Pyrantel pamoate and tartrate	Nemex; Strongid	Antiparasitic/treatment of ascarids and hookworms		Dog: 5 mg/kg PO once; repeat in 7–10 days
				Cat: 20 mg/kg PO once
Pyridostigmine bromide	Mestinon; Regonol	Cholinesterase inhibitor/management of myasthenia gravis	12 mg/mL oral syrup; 60-mg tablet; 5 mg/mL injection	Antimyasthenic: 0.02–0.04 mg/kg IV q2h; or 0.5–3 mg/kg PO q8–12h
				Antidote (nondepolarizing muscle relaxant):
				0.15–0.3 mg/kg IM, IV
Pyrimethamine	Daraprim	Folic acid inhibitor/treatment of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis	25-mg tablet	Dog: 1 mg/kg PO q24h for 14–21 days (5 days for Neosporum caninum)
				Cat: 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q24h for 14–28 days
Quinacrine	Limited availability in the U.S.	Antiprotozoal/may be useful in management (not curing) of Giardia infections, leishmaniasis, and coccidiosis	100-mg tablet	Dog: 6.6 mg/kg PO q12h for 5 days
				Cat: 11 mg/kg PO q24h for 5 days
Quinidine gluconate	Quiniglute; Duraquin	Antiarrhythmic/ventricular arrhythmias	324-mg tablets; 80 mg/mL injection	Dog: 6–20 mg/kg IM q6h; 6–20 mg/kg PO q6–8h (of base)
Quinidine sulfate	Cin-Quin; Quinora	Antiarrhythmic/ventricular arrhythmias	100-,200-, and 300-mg tablets; 200-and 300-mg capsules; 20 mg/mL injection	Dog: 6–20 mg/kg PO q6–8h (of base); 5–10 mg/kg IV
Quinidine polygalacturonate	Cardioquin	Antiarrhythmic/ventricular arrhythmias	275-mg tablet	Dog: 6–20 mg/kg PO q6h (of quinidine base). NOTE: 275 mg quinidine polygalacturonate =167 mg quinidine base
Ranitidine	Zantac	H2 receptor antagonist/treatment and prevention of gastric and duodenal ulcers	75-,150-, and 300-mg tablets; 150-and 300-mg capsules; 25 mg/mL injection	Dog: 2 mg/kg IV, PO q8h
				Cat:2.5 mg/kg IV q12h;3.5 mg/kg PO q12h
Retinol	See Vitamin A (Aquasol-A)
Riboflavin	See Vitamin B2
Rifampin	Rifadin	Antibacterial (reported to have limited antifungal and antiviral activity)	150-and 300-mg capsules	10–20 mg/kg PO q24h
Ringer's solution	Generic	Fluid replacement	250-,500-, and 1000-mL bags for infusion	40–50 mg/kg/day IV, SC, IP
SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine)	Denosyl-SD4	Nucleotide-like molecule derived from the amino acid methionine/adjunctive therapy in patients with chronic liver disease	Enteric coated tablets	20 mg/kg PO daily
Salicylate	See Aspirin
Selamectin	Revolution	Antiparasitic (ivermectin)/multiple applications in dogs and cats	Various sizes of topical solutions available for dogs and cats	See manufacturer's dosing instructions for the specific condition being treated
Selegiline	Anipryl (also known as deprenyl and L-deprenyl)	MAO-B inhibitor/canine cognitive dysfunction; reported use in treatment of canine hyperadrenocorticism (use in canine Cushing's is currently NOT recommended)	2-,5-,10-,15-, and 30-mg tablets	Dog: Begin with 1 mg/kg PO q24h; if there is no response within 2 mo, increase dose to maximum of 2 mg/kg PO q24h
				Cat: Dose not established
Senna	Senokot	Laxative	Granules in concentrate, or syrup	Cat: syrup: 5 mL/cat q24h; granules: 1/2 teaspoon/cat q24h (with food)
Sertraline	Zoloft;Altruline; Anilar; others	Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor/management of certain behavior disorders in dogs	25-,50-, and 100-mg tablets; 20 mg/mL injectable in 60-mL vials	Dog: 0.5–4.0 mg/kg q24h
				Cat: 0.5–1.0 mg/kg q24h
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3−) (OTC)	Generic; e.g., baking soda, soda mint	Alkalinizing agent/management of acidosis and renal failure; also used to alkalinize urine when indicated	325-,520-, and 650-mg tablets; injection of various strengths (4.2% to 8.4%), and 1 mEq/mL	Acidosis: 0.5–1 mEq/kg IV
				Renal failure: 10 mg/kg PO q8–12h
				Alkalization of urine: 50 mg/kg PO q8–12h (1 tsp is approximately 2 g)
Sodium chloride 0.9%	Generic	Fluid replacement (isotonic)	500-and 1000-mL infusion	40–50 mL/kg/day IV, SC, IP
Sodium chloride 7.2%	Generic (hypertonic)	Fluid replacement	Infusion	2–8 mL/kg IV
				CAUTION: NOT a balanced electrolyte solution
Sodium iodide 20%	Iodopen; generic	Iodine replacement/replacement for confirmed deficiencies	100 μg elemental iodide (118 μg sodium iodide)/mL injection	20–40 mg/kg PO q8–12h
Sotalol	Betapace	Nonselective beta blocker (antiarrhythmic)/ventricular tachycardia	80-,160-,240-mg tablets	Dog: 1–2 mg/kg PO q12h (start with 40 mg/dog q12h; then increase to 80 mg if no response)
				Cat: 1–2 mg/kg PO q12h
Spironolactone	Aldactone	Aldosterone antagonist/K-sparing diuretic used in the treatment of congestive heart failure; generally used in patients that fail to respond to furosemide and ACE inhibitors	25-,50-, and 100-mg tablets	2–4 mg/kg/day (or 1–2 mg/kg PO q12h)
Stanozolol	Winstrol-V	Anabolic steroid/adjunctive therapy for no one really knows what; has been used to treat anemia of chronic disease	50 mg/mL injection; 2-mg tablet	Dog: 2 mg/dog (or range of 1–4 mg/dog) PO q12h; 25–50 mg/dog/wk IM
				Cat: 1 mg/cat PO q12h; 25 mg/cat/wk IM
				CAUTION: Use in anorexic patients can cause weight loss (catabolic effect?)
Succimer	Chemet	Heavy metal chelator/treatment of lead poisoning	100-mg capsule	10 mg/kg PO q8h for 5 days; then 10 mg/kg PO q12h for 2 more wk
Sucralfate	Carafate	Antiulcer treatment/treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers (may have preventive effect)	1-g tablet; 200 mg/mL oral suspension	Dog: 0.5–1 g/dog PO q8–12h
				Cat: 0.25 g/cat PO q8–12h
Sufentanil	Sufenta	Analgesic (potent opiate)/adjunct to anesthesia or epidural anesthesia	50 μg/mL injection	2 μg/kg IV (maximum dose is 5 μg/kg IV)
Sulfadiazine	Generic combined with trimethoprim in Tribrissen	Antibacterial	500-mg tablet	100 mg/kg IV PO (loading dose), followed by 50 mg/kg IV PO q12h (see also Trimethoprim)
Sulfadimethoxine	Albon; Bactrovet; generic	Antibacterial	125-,250-, and 500-mg tablets; 400 mg/mL injection; 50 mg/mL suspension	55 mg/kg PO (loading dose), followed by 27.5 mg/kg PO q12h (see also Ormetoprim and Sulfadimethoxine)
Sulfamethazine	Many brand name products (e.g., Sulmet)	Antibacterial	30-g bolus	100 mg/kg PO (loading dose), followed by 50 mg/kg PO q12h
Sulfamethoxazole	Gantanol	Antibacterial	50-mg tablet	100 mg/kg PO (loading dose), followed by 50 mg/kg PO q12h (see also Bactrim, Septra)
Sulfasalazine (sulfapyridine + mesalamine)	Azulfidine (see also Mesalamine, Olsalazine)	Antibacterial and antiinflammatory activity/ulcerative colitis and other forms of inflammatory bowel disease in dogs	500-mg tablets; pediatric suspension	Dog: 10–30 mg/kg PO q8–12h
				WARNING: Has been reported to cause keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs.
Sulfisoxazole	Gantrisin	Antibacterial	500-mg tablet; 500 mg/5 mL syrup	50 mg/kg PO q8h (urinary tract infections)
Taurine	Generic	Amino acid/taurine deficiency cardiomyopathies	Available in powder	Dog: 5.0 mg PO q12h
				Cat: 2.50 mg/cat PO q12h
Tepoxalin	Zubrin	NSAID/management of pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs	30-,50-,100-and 200-mg tablets	Dog: 10–20 mg/kg PO on the first day; then 10 mg/kg PO once daily; thereafter as needed
Terbutaline	Brethine; Bicanyl	Beta agonist/bronchodilator; use includes feline asthma	2.5-and 5-mg tablets; 1 mg/mL injection (equivalent to 0.82 mg/mL)	Dog: 1.25–5 mg/dog PO q8h
				Cat: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q12h (or 0.625 mg/cat, ¼ of 2.5-mg tablet)
Testosterone cypionate ester	Andro-Cyp; Andronate; Depo-Testosterone; others	Hormone/replacement therapy; most commonly used for testosterone-responsive urinary incontinence in neutered male dogs/cats	100 and 200 mg/mL injection	1–2 mg/kg IM q2–4wk (see also methyltestosterone)
Testosterone propionate ester	Testex	Hormone/replacement therapy; most commonly used for testosterone-responsive urinary incontinence in neutered male dogs/cats	100 mg/mL injection	0.5–1 mg/kg IM 2–3 times/wk
Tetracycline	Panmycin	Antibacterial	250-and 500-mg capsules; 100 mg/mL suspension	15–20 mg/kg PO q8h; or 4.4–11 mg/kg IV, IM q8h
Thenium closylate	Canopar	Antiparasitic/hookworms	500-mg tablet	Dog: >4.5 kg,500 mg PO once and repeat in 2–3 wk; 2.5–4.5 kg,250 mg q12h for 1 day and repeat in 2–3 wks
Theophylline	Many brand name and generic products	Bronchodilator/chronic bronchitis and feline asthma	100-,125-,200-,250-, and 300-mg tablets; 27 mg/5 mL oral solution or elixir; injection in 5% dextrose	Dog: 9 mg/kg PO q6–8h
Theophylline, sustained-release	Theo-Dur; Slo-bid; Gyrocaps	Bronchodilator/chronic bronchitis and feline asthma	100-,200-,300-, and 450-mg tablets (Theo-Dur); 50-to 200-mg capsules (Slo-bid)	Dog: 20 mg/kg PO q12h (Theo-Dur); 30 mg/kg q12h (Slo-bid)
				Cat: 25 mg/kg PO q24h (at night) for Theo-Dur and Slo-bid
Thiabendazole	Omnizole; Equizole; Tresaderm (topicalotic)	Antiparasitic/multiple applications for parasitic infections	2 or 4 g/oz (30 mL) suspension or liquid	Dog: 50 mg/kg q24h for 3 days and repeat in 1 mo;
				Respiratory parasites: 30–70 mg/kg PO q12h
				Cat: Strongyloides: 125 mg/kg q24h for 3 days
Thiacetarsamide sodium	Caparsolate	Arsenical/formerly used to treat canine heartworm disease	NOT commercially available
Thiamine	See Vitamin B1
Thioguanine (6-TG)	Generic	Antineoplastic/lymphocytic or granulocytic leukemia	40-mg tablet	Dog: 40 mg/m2 PO q24h
				Cat: 25 mg/m2 PO q24h for 1–5 days
Thiopental sodium	Pentothal	Short-acting injectable anesthetic/anesthesia induction or restraint for short procedures	Various size vials from 250 mg to 10 g (mix to desired concentration)	Dog: 10–25 mg/kg IV (to effect)
				Cat: 5–10 mg/kg IV (to effect)
Thiotepa	Generic	Antineoplastic/lymphocytic or granulocytic leukemia	15-mg injection (usually in solution of 10 mg/mL)	0.2–0.5 mg/m2/wk, or daily for 5–10 days (IM, intra-cavitary, or intra-tumor)
Thyroid hormone	See Levothyroxine sodium (T4) and Liothyronine (T3)
Thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH])	Thytropar	Hormone/used to test for hypothyroidism (primarily in dogs)	10-U vial	Dog: Collect baseline sample, followed by 0.1 U/kg IV maximum (dose is 5 U); collect post-TSH sample at 6 h
				Cat: Collect baseline sample, followed by 2.5 U/cat IM; collect a post-TSH sample 8–12 h later
Ticarcillin	Ticar; Ticillin	Antibacterial	6 g/50 mL vial; vials containing 1,3,6,20, and 30 g	33–50 mg/kg IV, IM q4–6h
Ticarcillin + clavulanate	Timentin	Antibacterial	3-g vial for injection	33–50 mg/kg IV, IM q4–6h
Tiletamine + zolazepam	Telazol; Zoletil	General anesthetic/indicated for restraint and minor procedures of short duration in healthy dogs and cats	Sterile vial to which 5 mL of sterile water is added; provides the equivalent of 50 mg of tiletamine/mL	Dosage is based on combined mg of each drug:
			CAUTION: Limited shelf life following reconstitution	Dog: 6.6–10 mg/kg deep IM (restraint); 10–13 mg/kg deep IM (minor surgical procedures)
				Do NOT exceed 26.4 mg/kg TOTAL DOSE
				Cat: 9.7–12 mg/kg deep IM (restraint) 10.6–12.5 mg/kg, deep IM (minor surgical procedures) 14.3–15.8 mg/kg deep IM (anesthesia)
Tobramycin	Nebcin	Antibacterial	40 mg/mL injection	2–4 mg/kg IV, IM, SC q8h
Tocainide	Tonocard	Oral antiarrhythmic/used to manage patients with ventricular arrhythmias	400-and 600-mg tablets	Dog: 15–20 mg/kg PO q8h
				Cat: Dose not established
Tolazoline	Tolazine	Alpha-adrenergic blocker/reversal agent for xylazine	100 mg/mL in 100-mL multi-dose vials	4 mg/kg by slow IV (approx 1 mL/sec)
Triamcinolone	Vetalog; Trimtabs; Aristocort; generic	Glucocorticoid/antiinflammatory (not generally used in the treatment of immunemediated disease)	Veterinary (Vetalog): 0.5-and 1.5-mg tablets	Antiinflammatory: 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q12–24 h; then taper dose to 0.5–1 PO; taper dose to mg/kg q48h (however, manufacturer recommends doses of 0.11–0.22 mg/kg/day)
			Human form: 1-,2-,4-,8-, and 16-mg tablets; 10 mg/mL injection
Triamcinolone acetonide	Vetalog	Glucocorticoid/antiinflammatory (not generally used in the treatment of immune-mediated disease)	2 and 6 mg/mL suspension injection; 0.5-and 1.5-mg tablets	0.1–0.2 mg/kg IM, SC; repeat in 7–10 days
				Intralesional: 1.2–1.8 mg, or 1 mg for every cm diameter of tumor q2wk
Triamterene	Dyrenium	Diuretic/K-sparing diuretic used as an alternative to spironolactone	50-and 100-mg capsules	1–2 mg/kg PO q12h
Trientine hydrochloride	Syprine	Oral copper chelating agent/copper-associated hepatopathy; indicated in dogs that cannot tolerate penicillamine	250-mg capsules	Dog: 10–15 mg/kg PO q12h
Trifluoperazine	Stelazine	Phenothiazine/antiemetic	10 mg/mL oral solution; also as 1-,2-,5-, and 10-mg tablets; 2.0 mg/mL injection	0.03 mg/kg IM q12h
Triflupromazine	Vesprin	Phenothiazine/antiemetic	10 and 20 mg/mL injection	0.1–0.3 mg/kg IM, PO q8–12h
Triiodothyronine	See Liothyronine
Trimeprazine tartrate with prednisolone	Temaril-P	Phenothiazine antihistamine + glucocorticoid combination/antitussive and antipruritic Not generally recommended today	5 mg trimeprazine + 2-mg prednisolone (combined) tablets	Dog: See manufacturer's recommendations regarding indications and dose
Trimethoprim + sulfonamide (sulfadiazine or sulfamethoxazole)	Tribrissen; others	Antibacterial	30-,120-,240-,480-, and 960-mg tablets	15 mg/kg PO q12h; or 30 mg/kg PO q12–24h. For toxoplasma: 30 mg/kg PO q12h
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)	See Thyrotropin
Tylosin	Tylocine; Tylan; Tylosin tartrate	Antibacterial/has antiinflammatory effects in the bowel and is sometimes used to treat inflammatory bowel disease and chronic colitis	Available as soluble powder with 2.2 g tylosin per tsp (tablets available for dogs in Canada)	Dog and cat: 7–15 mg/kg PO q12–24h
				Dog (for colitis): 11 mg/kg q8h, with food
Ursodiol (ursodeoxycholic acid)	Actigall	Bile acid/adjunctive therapy in patients with chronic liver disease	300-mg capsule	10–15 mg/kg PO q24h
Valproic acid, divalproex	Depakene (valproic acid); Depakote (divalproex)	Anticonvulsant/uncommonly used alternative to conventional anticonvulsant therapy	Depakote:125-,250-, and 500-mg tablets	Dog: 60–200 mg/kg PO q8h; or 25–105 mg/kg/day PO when administered with phenobarbital
			Depakene: 250-mg capsule; 50 mg/mL syrup	Cat: DO NOT USE
Vancomycin	Vancocin;Vancoled	Antibacterial	Vials for injection (0.5 to 10 g)	Dog: 15 mg/kg q6–8h IV by CRI
				Cat: 12–15 mg/kg q8h IV by CRI
Vasopressin (ADH)	Pitressin	Hormone/diagnostic test agent for diabetes insipidus (DI). NOT for therapeutic use (see Desmopressin)	20 (pressor) units/mL in 0.5-, 1.0-, and 10-mL vials (aqueous only) and 1-mL ampules	Dog: Test protocol for DI: 2.5 mU/kg (aqueous vasopressin) IV over 1 h
				Cat: 0.5 U/kg, IM (test protocol in cats is different from that in dogs)
				NOTE: test protocol entails patient preparation in advance of administering vasopressin
Verapamil	Calan; Isoptin	Calcium channel blocker/supraventricular tachycardia and hypertension	40-,80-, and 120-mg tablets; 2.5 mg/mL injection	Dog: 0.05 mg/kg, IV slowly (can repeat every 5 min) to a maximum cumulative dose: 0.15–0.2 mg/kg
				For hypertension: 1–5 mg/kg PO q8h
				Cat: 0.025 mg/kg IV slowly (can repeat every 5 minutes) to a maximum cumulative dose of 0.15–0.2 mg/kg
Vinblastine	Velban	Vinca alkaloid/antineoplastic	1 mg/mL injection	2 mg/m2 IV (slow infusion) q7–14 days
Vincristine	Oncobin;Vincasar; generic	Vinca alkaloid/antineoplastic; also for the treatment of thrombocytopenia	1 mg/mL injection	Antitumor: 0.5–0.75 mg/m2 IV q7–14 days (q7 days in cats, depending on protocol); for thrombocytopenia: 0.02 mg/kg IV, once weekly (alternatively,0.5–0.7 mg/m2 as an infusion over 4–6 h) each week
Viokase	See Pancreatic Enzymes
Vitamin A (retinoids)	Aquasol A	Vitamin/nutritional supplementation	Oral solution: 5000 U (1500 RE)/0.1-mL and 10,000-,25,000-, and 50,000-U tablets	625–800 U/kg PO q24h
Vitamin B1	Thiamine	Vitamin/nutritional supplementation	250 μg/5 mL elixir; tablets of various sizes from 5 mg to 500 mg; 100 and 500 mg/mL injection	Dog: 10–100 mg/dog/day PO
				Cat: 5–30 mg/cat/day PO (up to maximum dose of 50 mg/cat/day)
Vitamin B2	Riboflavin	Vitamin/nutritional supplementation	Tablets of various sizes in increments of 10 to 250 mg	Dog: 10–20 mg/day PO
				Cat: 5–10 mg/day PO
Vitamin B12	Cyanocobalamin	Vitamin/nutritional supplementation	100 μg/mL injection	Dog: 100–200 μg/day PO
				Cat: 50–100 μg/day PO
Vitamin C	Ascorbic acid		Tablets of various sizes and injection	100–500 mg/day
Vitamin D analog	Dihydrotachysterol (DHT); Hytakerol	Vitamin/management of hypocalcemia associated with hypoparathyroidism or parathyroid gland surgery	0.125-mg tablet; 0.5 mg/mL oral liquid	0.01 mg/kg/day PO
				Acute treatment: 0.02 mg/kg initially; then 0.01–0.03 mg/kg PO q24–48h thereafterthen 0.01–0.03 mg/kg PO q24–48h thereafter
Vitamin D2	Ergocalciferol; Calciferol; Drisdol	Vitamin/management of hypocalcemia associated with hypoparathyroidism or parathyroid gland surgery	400-U tablet (OTC); 50,000-U tablet (1.25 mg); 500,000 U/mL (12.5 mg/mL) injection	4000 to 6000 U/kg/day PO (initial); 1000 to 2000 U/kg/day PO (maintenance)
Vitamin D3	1–25, dihydroxy vitamin D3	Vitamin also considered a hormone/management of hypocalcemia associated with hypoparathyroidism or parathyroid gland surgery; also used to supplement hypocalcemia of chronic renal failure	See Vitamin D analog (Dihydrotachysterol [DHT])	Hypocalcemia:
				0.030–0.06 μg/kg PO once daily Chronic renal failure: 0.025 μg/kg, PO once daily
Vitamin E (may be combined with selenium)	Alpha-tocopherol; Aquasol E; generic	Vitamin/nutritional supplementation and adjunctive therapy in patients with chronic liver disease; may be combined with selenium as adjunctive therapy for patients with immune-mediated skin disease in dogs; efficacy in management of arthritic dogs is questionable	Wide variety of capsules, tablets, oral solution available (e.g., 1000 units per capsule)	See manufacturer's recommendations for treatment indications and dose
Vitamin K1	Phytonadione; phytomenadione; Aqua-MEPHYTON (injection); Mephyton (tablets); Veta-K1 (capsules)	Antidote/anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis and in any disorder impacting formation of vitamin K–dependent coagulation factors	2 and 10 mg/mL injection; 5-mg tablet (Mephyton); 25-mg capsule (Veta-K1)	Rodenticide toxicosis:
				2.5–5.0 mg/kg PO
				3–4 weeks for diphacinone or chlorphacinone toxicosis
				Acute intoxication: 5 mg/kg SQ in multiple locations with 25-gauge needle
Warfarin	Coumadin; generic	Anticoagulant/adjunctive treatment for and prevention of thromboemboli	1-,2-,2.5-,4-,5-,7.5-and 10-mg tablets	Dog: 0.22 mg/kg PO q12h to prolong PT by 1.25 to 1.5 times normal
				Pulmonary thromboemboli: 0.2 mg/kg PO daily to prolong PT by 1.5 to 2.5 times normal
				Cat:
				Chronic treatment: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO once daily to prolong PT by 2 to 2.5 times normal
				Aortic embolus: 0.06–0.1 mg/kg PO once daily
Xylazine	Rompun; generic	Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist/sedative and analgesic (sometimes used as an emetic in cats)	20 and 100 mg/mL injection	Dog and cat: 1.1 mg/kg IV; or 1.1 to 2.2 mg/kg IM or SC
				Cat (to induce emesis): 0.4–0.5 mg/kg IV
Yohimbine	Yobine	Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist/reverse xylazine (and possibly amitraz)	2 mg/mL injection in 20-mL vials	0.11 mg/kg IV slowly
Zidovudine (AZT)	Retrovir	Antiretroviral agent/adjunctive treatment of FeLV/FIV-positive cats	300-mg tablets; 100-mg capsules; 10 mg/mL syrup 10 mg/mL injection	Cat: 5–15 mg/kg PO q12h; or 5 mg/kg PO q8h for 5 wk and then rest for 4 wk
				CAUTION: Significant bone marrow suppression (usually reversible with cessation of therapy) is expected; monitor CBC during therapy
Zolazepam	See Tiletamine-zolazepam combination

Note: Listings preceded by are for rapid reference and denote drug/dosage used in the emergency or critical care setting.

^*Listings preceded by an are for rapid reference and denote drug/dosage used in the emergency or critical care setting.

^†NOTE: Doses listed in this table are based on best available evidence at the time of table preparation; although considerable effort has been made to verify all dosages listed, it is prudent to verify treatment protocols and drug dosages whenever using a product for the first time. Adverse effects may be possible from virtually any of the drugs listed in this table. High-risk warnings and precautionary statements are listed. Veterinarians using this table are encouraged to check current literature, product label, and the manufacturer's disclosure for information regarding reported changes in efficacy or safety as well as any new treatment contraindications not identified at the time of preparation of these tables. When dosage listed does NOT stipulate Dog or Cat, drug may be administered to both dogs and cats at the dosage listed.

Abbreviations: ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme;ADH, antidiuretic hormone; CMI, cell-mediated immunity; CNS, central nervous system; CRI, constant-rate infusion; DIC, disseminated intravascular coagulation; FeLV, feline leukemia virus; FIV, feline immunodeficiency virus; GI, gastrointestinal; h, hour(s); IM, intramuscular; IP, intraperitoneal; IV, intravenous; kg, kilograms of body weight; m², square meters of body surface area (commonly used in cancer chemotherapy protocols); MCV, mean corpuscular volume; mg, milligram(s); min, minute(s); mo, month(s); MOA-B, monoamine B; μg, microgram(s); NSAID, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug; OTC, over-the-counter (prescription not required); PO, per os (oral administration); PT, prothrombin time; q12h, interval between treatment (e.g., every 12 hours); SC, subcutaneous; U, units; wk, week(s).