Guidelines for Anesthesia, Analgesia and Tranquilization in Ferrets
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
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 used alone.
** Fentanyl component is reversible with naloxone 0.04 mg/kg; IV, IM, SQ; (1)
*** This is the calculated dose, it must be titrated to effect; intubation may be possible.
**** Administer half a dose and then titrate to effect; dose depends on amount of premedication.
