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Choose the species
One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
Choose one species for its overview and dose calculator, or all species to browse the full evidence.
Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Short-term SVT control (AF/flutter, sinus tach); test-dose to predict oral beta-blocker response (esp. feline HCM); intraoperative tachyarrhythmia/hypertension control
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Short-term SVT control (AF/flutter, sinus tach); test-dose to predict oral beta-blocker response (esp. feline HCM); intraoperative tachyarrhythmia/hypertension control — Extra-label (human drug)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Short-term SVT control (AF/flutter, sinus tach); test-dose to predict oral beta-blocker response (esp. feline HCM); intraoperative tachyarrhythmia/hypertension control — Extra-label (human drug)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens3
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects4
Hypotension, bradycardia — The expected dose-effects (stop = reverse)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Bronchospasm (β2 at high dose), masked hypoglycemia — Class cautions
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsCat
- Death1 reports
- Hyperthermia1 reports
Monitoring1
Continuous ECG + BP during infusion; HR response = the diagnostic readout
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Overt CHF, 2nd/3rd-degree AV block, sinus bradycardia, cardiogenic shock
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions3
Compensated CHF, bronchoconstrictive disease, diabetes
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The "try before you commit" beta-blocker: esmolol's minutes-long half-life turns beta-blockade into a reversible experiment — if the SVT responds, an oral agent makes sense; if BP crashes, you just stop.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Found-drug contrast: propranolol (long, non-selective, oral) vs esmolol (minutes, β1, IV-only) — opposite ends of the beta-blocker clock.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions2
Digoxin, calcium blockers — Additive AV/contractility effects
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Anesthetics (inhalants) — Addative hypotension
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Mechanism — Cardioselective β1 blockade, no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Duration — Minutes — blood-borne esterases (RBC) metabolize
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Margins — Dog IV LD50 ~32 mg/kg; 2 mg/kg/min × 1 h tolerated; 3–4 mg/kg/min = CNS toxicity (ataxia→seizures)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Emergency/anesthetic context use.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 484–485 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references20
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Successful management of persistent tachycardia using esmolol in 2 dogs with septic shock.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Reversal of ventricular fibrillation with esmolol in an anaesthetized cat.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Effects of esmolol on systemic hemodynamics and heart rate variability measured using the Analgesia/Nociception Index in resuscitated piglets with Pseudomonas aeruginosa septic shock.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Use of α(2)-Adrenergic Agonists to Improve Surgical Field Visibility in Endoscopy Sinus Surgery: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Effects of various cardiovascular drugs on indices obtained with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography of the left atrium and time-left atrial area curve analysis in healthy dogs.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.