Protamine Sulphate

Protamine Sulphate In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• An anticoagulant that, when administered in the presence of heparin, forms a stable salt, causing the loss of anticoagulant activity of both compounds.

Uses of Protamine sulphate

•  Treatment of heparin overdosage.

Dose of Protamine sulphate in Dogs and Cats

Dogs, Cats:

Heparin overdosage:

• 1 mg of protamine inactivates 80–100 IU of heparin.
• Heparin disappears rapidly from the circulation.
• Decrease the dose of protamine by half for each 30 minutes since the heparin was administered.
• Give protamine i.v. very slowly over 1–3 minutes.
• Do not exceed 50 mg in any 10 minutes. Dilute protamine in 5% dextrose or
  normal saline.

Side Effects of Protamine sulphate in Dogs and Cats

• Anaphylaxis, hypotension, bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, pulmonary hypertension and lethargy are seen in humans

Contraindications of Protamine sulphate in Dogs and Cats

• No information is available.

Some Notes:

• The effects of heparin are neutralized within 5 minutes of protamine administration, with the effect persisting for approximately 2 hours.
• In humans, protamine is also used for low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) overdose, however, anti-Xa activity is not completely inhibited and no information is available for LMWH neutralization in cats and dogs.