Doses - DOBUTAMINE HCL
Dobutamine is administered as a constant rate intravenous infusion only.Dogs:
a) 5 - 20 micrograms/kg/min IV infusion; rates above 20 micrograms/kg/min may be associated with tachycardia (Kittleson 1985b)
b) 2 - 20 micrograms/kg/min IV infusion (Morgan 1988)
Cats: No specific doses for cats were located, but the lower dosage range for dogs could be used as a guideline to initiate therapy. One route of metabolism for dobutamine is by glucuronidation, so half-lives in cats may be longer than in other species. Monitor and use with caution.Horses:
a) 1 - 5 micrograms/kg/minute (Muir and McGuirk 1987b)
b) 2 - 10 micrograms/kg/minute IV infusion (Robinson 1987)
Monitoring Parameters -1) Heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure if possible 2) Urine flow 3) Ideally, measurement of central venous or pulmonary wedge pressures and cardiac output
Client Information - This drug should only be used by professionals familiar with its use and in a setting where adequate patient monitoring can be performed.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times - Veterinary-Approved Products: None
Preparation of Solution - The solution for injection must be further diluted to a concentration no greater than 5 mg/ml (total of at least 50 ml of diluent) before administering.
Generally, it is added to D5W, normal saline (if not severely sodium restricted) or other compatible IV solution. The following approximate concentrations will result if 1 vial (250 mg) is added either 250, 500, or 1000 ml IV solutions:1 vial (250 mg) in: 250 ml » 1000micrograms/ml "500 ml » 500micrograms/ml "1000 ml » 250micrograms/ml
A mechanical fluid administration control device should be used, if available, to administer dobutamine. When using a mini-drip IV administration set (60 drops » 1 ml), 1 drop contains approximately 8.3 micrograms at the 500 micrograms/ml concentration.
Dogs: 
a) 5 - 20 micrograms/kg/min IV infusion; rates above 20 micrograms/kg/min may be associated with tachycardia (Kittleson 1985b) b) 2 - 20 micrograms/kg/min IV infusion (Morgan 1988)
Cats: No specific doses for cats were located, but the lower dosage range for dogs could be used as a guideline to initiate therapy. One route of metabolism for dobutamine is by glucuronidation, so half-lives in cats may be longer than in other species. Monitor and use with caution.
Horses: 
a) 1 - 5 micrograms/kg/minute (Muir and McGuirk 1987b) b) 2 - 10 micrograms/kg/minute IV infusion (Robinson 1987)
Monitoring Parameters -
Client Information - This drug should only be used by professionals familiar with its use and in a setting where adequate patient monitoring can be performed.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times - Veterinary-Approved Products: None
Human-Approved Products:
Dobutamine HCl Injection 12.5 mg/ml in 20 ml vial; Dobutrex® (Lilly); Generic (Rx)Preparation of Solution - The solution for injection must be further diluted to a concentration no greater than 5 mg/ml (total of at least 50 ml of diluent) before administering.
Generally, it is added to D5W, normal saline (if not severely sodium restricted) or other compatible IV solution. The following approximate concentrations will result if 1 vial (250 mg) is added either 250, 500, or 1000 ml IV solutions:1 vial (250 mg) in: 250 ml » 1000micrograms/ml "500 ml » 500micrograms/ml "1000 ml » 250micrograms/ml
A mechanical fluid administration control device should be used, if available, to administer dobutamine. When using a mini-drip IV administration set (60 drops » 1 ml), 1 drop contains approximately 8.3 micrograms at the 500 micrograms/ml concentration.