Doses - DIGITOXIN
Dogs: 
a) 0.033 - 0.11 mg/kg/day PO divided bid (Kirk 1986) b) 0.03 - 0.04 mg/kg bid to tid (Kittleson 1985a)
c) Oral maintenance: 0.04 - 0.1 mg/kg/day divided q8h; Rapid intravenous digitalizationfor atrial arrhythmias: 0.01 - 0.03 mg/kg divided; give 1/2 of above dose IV and wait for30-60 minutes and give 1/4th the dose IV; wait another 30-60 minutes and give theremainder if necessary. (Miller 1985)
d) 0.022 mg/kg q8-12h PO; puppies can tolerate higher dosages than mature dogs(McConnell and Hughey 1987)
Cats: Note: Many cardiologists feel that digitoxin should not be used in cats. If used in cats, diligent monitoring is required.
a) 0.0055 mg/kg q12h (use tablets only) (Kirk 1986)
b) 0.005 - 0.015 mg/kg PO once daily (Morgan 1988)
Horses: 
a) 0.03 - 0.06 mg/kg PO for digitalization; 0.01 mg/kg PO for maintenance (Robinson 1987) Monitoring Parameters -
Because of this drug's narrow therapeutic index, and interpatient variability, it is stronglyrecommended to monitor serum levels to help guide therapy. Unless the patient (dog)received an initial loading dose, at least 36 hours should pass after starting therapy tomonitor serum levels to allow levels to approach steady-state. Suggested therapeuticserum levels in the dog are 15-35 ng/ml (Neff-Davis 1985). Toxicity is usually associatedwith levels greater than 40 ng/ml. Levels at the higher end of the suggested range may benecessary to treat some atrial arrhythmias, but may also result in higher incidences ofadverse effects. Usually a trough level (just before next dose or at least 4-10 hours afterthe last dose) is recommended.
Client Information - Contact veterinarian if animal displays changes in behavior, vomits, hasdiarrhea, lack of appetite, symptoms of colic (horses), becomes lethargic or depressed.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times - Veterinary-Approved Products: None