Desmopressin For Dogs Dosage

Overview of vasopressin ddavp for canines and felines.

Desmopressin for dogs dosage. The recommended initial dose for patients age 6 years and older is 0 2 mg at bedtime. It is also included in therapy techniques used to treat von willebrand s disease in dogs. Because there are a number of different causes of increased water consumption and increased urine production desmopressin acetate can also be used to help make a diagnosis. Desmopressin intranasal formulations are no longer indicated for the treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis due to the risk for developing severe hyponatremia that can result in seizures and death.

Desmopressin can also be given as a subcutaneous injection. However because of individual differences in absorption and metabolism the dose required to achieve complete around the clock control varies from patient to patient. Desmopressin dose adjustments in dogs and cats with central diabetes insipidus daily administration of desmopressin may completely eliminate polyuria and polydipsia. However because of individual differences in absorption and metabolism the dose required to achieve complete around the clock control varies from patient to patient.

Vasopressin commonly known as pitressin or ddavp is used for dogs and cats in the diagnosis of diabetes insipidus and to treat shock in life threatening situations. Give as directed by your veterinarian. The dosage of ddavp tablets must be determined for each individual patient and adjusted according to response. Side effects are uncommon but may include irritation upon application to the eye.

The comparable antidiuretic dose of the injection is approximately 1 10 the intranasal dose. Desmopressin for dogs also known by the brand names ddavp and stimate is a drug primarily used to treat central diabetes insipidus and sometimes von willebrand s disease. Desmopressin acetate is the treatment of choice for central diabetes insipidus in both dogs and cats. Desmopressin dose adjustments in dogs and cats with central diabetes insipidus daily administration of desmopressin may completely eliminate polyuria and polydipsia.

For von willebrand s disease desmopressin is dosed at 0 5 mcg per pound. The dose is 1 to 2 mcg per dog for central diabetes insipidus. Patients previously on intranasal ddavp therapy can begin tablet therapy the night following 24 hours after the last intranasal dose. Desmopressin is administered into the eye or is given as an injection and is used off label to treat diabetes insipidus and von willebrand disease.

Vasopressin is a hormone formed primarily in the supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus in the brain. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or pets that are prone to blood clots such as those with heart disease.