To ensure adequate dosing an insulin-type syringe must be used for administration to low bodyweight animals.

For intravenous use only.

Dogs and cats: Following intravenous anaesthesia 2–5 mg/kg (0.1–0.25 ml/kg) depending on response.

Following inhalation anaesthesia 1–2 mg/kg (0.05–0.1 ml/kg) depending on response.

Dosage should be adjusted for depth of anaesthesia and degree of respiratory depression. Dosage can be repeated in 15 to 20 minutes if necessary.

Horses: Following intravenous or inhalation anaesthesia 0.5–1.0 mg/kg (2.5–5.0 ml/100 kg) depending on response. Dosage should be adjusted for depth of anaesthesia and degree of respiratory depression.

For intravenous or subcutaneous injection and for topical sublingual use.

Puppies: 1–5 mg (0.05–0.25 ml) depending on size of neonate and degree of respiratory depression.

Kittens: 1–2 mg (0.05–0.1 ml) depending on size of neonate and degree of respiratory depression.

Calves: For intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or sublingual use.

40–100 mg (2.0–5.0 ml) depending on size of neonate and degree of respiratory depression.

Lambs: For intravenous, subcutaneous or sublingual use.

5–10 mg (0.25–0.5 ml) depending on size of neonate and degree of respiratory depression.

The action of Dopram-V is rapid, usually beginning in a few seconds. The duration and intensity of response depends upon the dose, the condition of the animal at the time the drug is administered, and depth of anaesthesia. Repeated doses should not be given until the effects of the first dose have passed, and the condition of the patient requires it.

However, the therapeutic ratio (convulsive dose: respirogenic dose) is very high. In trials carried out on conscious cats to determine the total dose required to initiate hyperventilation compared to the total dose required to produce convulsions, the convulsive dose to respirogenic dose was calculated to be 38:1.