Exotic Animal Formulary5

Table 14-10
Analgesic and Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Agents Used in Wild Mammals. a-c
Agent Dosage Species/Comments
Buprenorphine
0.01-0.02 mg/kg SC, IM q12h; may be
administered via transmucosal route
at higher dosage of 0.02-0.03 mg/kg
q12h 68
0.01-0.05 mg/kg SC, IM, IV, IP, oral
transmucosal q6-12h 23,29
Felids
Most species
0.1 mg/kg SC q24h 7 Bats
Buprenorphine-SR
(Buprenorphine
SR-LAB,
ZooPharm)
— Acquired from
compounding pharmacy;
sustained release; shelf
life 1 yr; refrigerate
0.06-0.12 mg/kg SC q72h 13 Carnivores
Butorphanol 1-2 mg/kg SC q48-72h 25,46 Rodents
— Can be compounded at 30-
50 mg/mL by
compounding pharmacy
0.1-0.5 mg/kg SC, IM, IV q2-4h 67 Carnivores
2 mg/kg SC, IM q4h 90 Prairie dogs
Carprofen 2-5 mg/kg SC, PO q12h 24 Rodents
2.2 mg/kg PO q12h 67 Canids/not recommended
for felids
Fentanyl
Transdermal patch
Most species/dysphoria more
1-5 µg/kg/h 67 prevalent at higher end
of dose range
Gabapentin 5-10 mg/kg PO q12h 67 Carnivores/anecdotal dosage
100 mg/kg PO q24h 33 Rodents
Ketoprofen 2-5 mg/kg SC q24h 7 Bats
Meloxicam 0.1 mg/kg PO q24h 7 Bats
0.2 mg/kg PO, SC, IV, then 0.1 mg/kg PO
q24h 67
Label dosage: 0.3 mg/kg SC once for 3-4-
day effect; 67
Extra-label dosage: 0.2 mg/kg PO
once, then 0.1 mg/kg PO q24h in
Canids
Felids, raccoons, Virginia
opossums, skunks
900