Veterinary Guidelines for Anesthetics: Dogs

Anticholinergics 

  • Atropine, 0.05 mg/kg; IM, IV, SQ; (2)

Tranquilizers

  • Acepromazine, 0.05-1.0 mg/kg; IV,IM,SQ; (10)
  • Diazepam* 0.2-0.6 mg/kg; IM; (10)
  • Diazepam*, 0.1 mg/kg; IV; (10)
  • Xylazine, 0.55 mg/kg; IM; (14)

Neuroleptanalgesics 

  • Droperidol and fentanyl**, 1 ml/9-18 kg: IM; (14)
  • Droperidol and fentanyl**, 1 ml/ 11.35-27.3 kg ; IV; (10)

Dissociative Anesthesia

  • Ketamine, 15 mg/kg + Xylazine, 2 mg/kg ; IM; (3)
  • Ketamine***, 10 mg/kg + Diazepam,0.5 mg/kg; (17)

Barbiturates 

  • Thiamylal****, 15-20 mg/kg; IV; (1)
  • Thiopental****, 15-30 mg/kg; IV; (1)
  • Methohexital, 4-8 mg/kg, IV; (2)
  • Pentobarbital, 30 mg/kg; IV; (1)

Analgesics

  • Buprenorphine, 0.01- 0.02 mg/kg, q 12 hr.; SQ; (5) 
  • Butorphanol, 0.2-1.2 mg/kg, q 2-5 hr.; SQ, IM, IV; (5) (14)
  • Codeine, 2.2 mg/kg; SQ; (5)
  • Fentanyl, 0.04-0.08 mg/kg, q 1-2 hr.; SC, IM, IV; (5)
  • Meperidine, 2-10 mg/kg, q 2-3 hr.; IM, SQ; (5) (9)
  • Morphine, 1-2 mg/kg; SQ; IM; (1) (14)
  • Morphine, 1.0 mg/kg; IV; (14)
  • Nalbuphine, 0.5-2.0 mg/kg, q 3-8 hr.; SQ,IM, IV; (5)
  • Oxymorphone, 0.1-0.2 mg/kg; IM; SQ; (14)
  • Oxymorphone, 0.11 mg/kg; IV; (14)

* May produce profound excitement in some dogs when usedalone.
** Fentanyl component is reversible with naloxone 0.04 mg/kg;IV, IM, SQ; (1)
*** This is the calculated dose, it must be titratedto effect; intubation may be possible.
**** Administer half a dose andthen titrate to effect; dose depends on amount of premedication.