Desmopressin

What is this medication for?

• Central diabetes insipidus; diagnostic DI test
• von Willebrand's disease (peri-operative prophylaxis, limited duration of usefulness)

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• Eye irritation (conjunctival route) (Occasional)
• Hypersensitivity reactions (Possible)
• Fluid retention/hyponatremia (With overdose)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Any new symptom that worries you.

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Hypersensitivity; type IIB or platelet-type (pseudo) von Willebrand's disease (e.g., German Shorthair Pointers) — can worsen low platelet counts/platelet aggregation
• has or has had: Susceptibility to thrombotic events

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Chlorpropamide, fludrocortisone, urea

Storage and handling

Keep refrigerated when possible.

Good to know

• Do not confuse the 0.1 mg/mL nasal-drop solution with the more concentrated 1.5 mg/mL (Stimate) product — a well-documented dosing-error risk.
• For vWD, tachyphylaxis develops with repeated dosing within 24 hours — not suited for sustained bleeding control, only single peri-operative use.
• A trial course can help distinguish central DI from other PU/PD causes — look for ≥50% increase in urine specific gravity as a supportive finding.