Analgesia

Dexmedetomidine CRI

Sub-sedative α₂-agonist CRI for opioid-sparing analgesia in dogs and cats. DMLK multi-modal protocol uses dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg/hr alongside morphine, lidocaine, and ketamine. Higher rates (>2 µg/kg/hr in dogs, >1 µg/kg/hr in cats) shift toward sedation rather than analgesia and assume active cardiovascular monitoring.

Stock: 0.5 mg/mL (500 µg/mL), Dexdomitor

How this calculator works

Enter the patient's weight, dose, and bag concentration. The calculator returns the pump rate to deliver that dose at the chosen concentration. Default prep is 4 µg/mL (1 mg dex in a 250 mL bag); presets cover 2–8 µg/mL across patient sizes.

After you compute, the result panel shows separate loading-dose panels for dogs (1–3 µg/kg IV) and cats (1–2 µg/kg IV). Skip the loading dose if the patient is already sedated from premedication.

α₂-agonist. Watch for bradycardia, early hypertension followed by hypotension, and dose-dependent sedation. Cat doses are more conservative because cats are more α₂-sensitive than dogs. When combined with ketamine, adjust ketamine downward; dex slows its metabolism.

Species

Dog Cat

Weight

lb kg

Dose (ug/kg/hr)

Dogs: 0.5–3.0 · Cats: 0.5–2.0 ug/kg/hr

Bag preparation

4 µg/mL

1 mg (2 mL of 500 µg/mL stock) into a 250 mL bag of 0.9% NaCl

Use a different concentration

All preparations are pharmacologically equivalent. The default (4 µg/mL) fits the most common clinical use case. The alternatives below cover situational needs.

4 µg/mL (default) 1 mg (2 mL of 500 µg/mL stock) into a 250 mL bag of 0.9% NaCl Standard analgesic-CRI dilution for dogs and cats.

2 µg/mL 500 µg (1 mL of 500 µg/mL stock) into a 250 mL bag of 0.9% NaCl More dilute prep for small patients on low doses.

8 µg/mL 2 mg (4 mL of 500 µg/mL stock) into a 250 mL bag of 0.9% NaCl More concentrated for larger dogs or higher rates.

Awaiting input

Enter a patient weight to see the result.

Reference

How the calculation works

Dexmedetomidine CRI is dosed in µg/kg/hr. The CRI rate calculation is:

$$\text{mL/hr} = \frac{\text{weight}_{\text{kg}} \times \text{dose}_{\mu g/kg/hr}}{\text{concentration}_{\mu g/mL}}$$

Patient weight (kg) times dose (µg per kg per hour) gives total µg per hour. Dividing by concentration (µg per mL) yields mL per hour. No unit-time conversion needed because dose and rate are both per-hour.

Worked example with current inputs

Enter a patient weight to see the worked example.

Reference

Recommended dilutions

Target concentration	Dilution	When useful
4 µg/mL	1 mg (2 mL of 500 µg/mL stock) into a 250 mL bag of 0.9% NaCl	Standard analgesic-CRI dilution for dogs and cats.
2 µg/mL	500 µg (1 mL of 500 µg/mL stock) into a 250 mL bag of 0.9% NaCl	More dilute prep for small patients on low doses.
8 µg/mL	2 mg (4 mL of 500 µg/mL stock) into a 250 mL bag of 0.9% NaCl	More concentrated for larger dogs or higher rates.

Compatible with 0.9% NaCl, 5% dextrose, LRS. 0.5 mg/mL (Dexdomitor) is the standard veterinary stock. Dexmedetomidine HCl human-labeled stocks at 100 µg/mL also exist; verify the label before drawing.

Dilution helper — Dexmedetomidine CRI

Work out how many mL of stock drug and diluent to combine for any target concentration. Stock is pre-filled for Dexmedetomidine CRI; change it if you're using a different vial.

Draw up

Enter stock, target concentration, and final volume.