Pain Management in Rabbits
Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg
12 cited drugs treat Pain Management in rabbits: Aspirin, Buprenorphine, Butorphanol, Butorphanol Injectable, Flunixin Meglumine, Gabapentin, Hydromorphone, Ibuprofen, Meloxicam, Morphine, Oxymorphone, Piroxicam.
Multimodal analgesia spanning NSAIDs, opioids, local anaesthetics, NMDA antagonists (ketamine), α2 agonists, and adjuncts. Species safety matters: NSAIDs are unsafe in some reptiles, opioid receptor distributions differ in birds, and rabbits tolerate buprenorphine particularly well.
The overview above describes Pain Management across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to rabbits — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Aspirin(Bufferin, Ascriptin)
Analgesic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–20 mg/kg | q24h | Antiinflammatory; low-grade analgesia | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.854 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.102, Aspirin monograph spanning p.100-102. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Buprenorphine(Simbadol, Buprenex)
Analgesic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.01–0.05 mg/kg | q6-12h | 24-72 hours post-operatively | Post-operative analgesia | Moderate | Chi[tt]y J. Formulary. In: Harcourt-Brown F, Chi[tt]y J, eds. BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging; BSAVA Press, Gloucestershire, UK; 2013:430-431. |; Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcu[tt] C, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| IV | 0.01–0.05 mg/kg | q6-12h | As needed | Analgesia - mild to moderate pain only (partial mu agonist) | Moderate | Chi[tt]y J. Formulary. In: Harcourt-Brown F, Chi[tt]y J, eds. BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging; BSAVA Press, Gloucestershire, UK; 2013:430-431. |; Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcu[tt] C, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Carpenter 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| SC | 0.01–0.05 mg/kg | q6-12h | As needed | Analgesia - mild to moderate pain only | Moderate | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630.; Chitty J. Formulary. In: Harcourt-Brown F, Chitty J, eds. BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging; BSAVA Press, Gloucestershire, UK; 2013:430-431. — Carpenter 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Butorphanol(Torbugesic, Torbutrol)
Analgesic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.1–0.5 mg/kg | q4h | As needed | Analgesia (pain management) | Moderate | Chitty J [Chitty J]. Formulary. In: Harcourt-Brown F, Chitty J, eds. BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging; BSAVA Press, Gloucestershire, UK; 2013:430-431. / 194. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.163, Butorphanol monograph spanning p.157-163. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| SC | 0.1–0.5 mg/kg | q2-4h | As needed | Pain management | Moderate | Chitty J [Chitty J]. Formulary. In: Harcourt-Brown F, Chitty J, eds. BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging; BSAVA Press, Gloucestershire, UK; 2013:430-431.; Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.163, Butorphanol monograph spanning p.157-163. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Butorphanol Injectable(Torbugesic, Torbutrol Injectable)
Neurological| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 0.1–1 mg/kg | q4-6h | As needed | Analgesia | Strong | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttC, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.18 (Treatments Used in the Management of Rabbit Gastrointestinal Syndrome (RGIS).a).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Flunixin Meglumine(Banamine)
Analgesic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM, IV | 1.1 mg/kg | q12-24h | Analgesia; nonsteroidal antiinflammatory | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.859 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b). — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.541, Flunixin monograph spanning p.541-543.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Gabapentin(Neurontin)
Analgesic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 3–5 mg/kg | q12-24h | 2-3 hours before visit | Neuropathic pain analgesic | Anecdotal | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.859, Gabapentin row, ref 166 = Morrissey JM, Carpenter JW, Appendix: Formulary. Corroborated in-species by frr 4th Ed Appendix Table A.4, Rabbits column: 'Gabapentin 3-5 mg/kg PO q12-24h'; and BSAVA Part B printed p.146: 'Rabbits: 2-5 mg/kg p.o. q8h'. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Hydromorphone(Dilaudid)
Analgesic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM, IV | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | q6-8h | Opioid analgesia | Moderate | Johnston MS. Clinical approaches to analgesia in ferrets and rabbits. J Exot Pet Med. 2005;14:229-235. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.859 doi:10.1053/j.saep.2005.09.003 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b). |
Ibuprofen
Analgesic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 2–7.5 mg/kg | q4h | Analgesia; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory | Weak | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.859Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Meloxicam(Metacam)
Analgesic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.3–1 mg/kg | q24h | As needed | Dental pain and GI stasis secondary to pain | Moderate | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits) and Table 10.18 (Treatments Used in the Management of Rabbit Gastrointestinal Syndrome) - 1 mg/kg PO q24h, supporting the 1.0 endpoint. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed, Part B - Exotic Pets, printed p.195: 'Rabbits: 0.3-0.6 mg/kg s.c., p.o. q12-24h', supporting the 0.3 endpoint. Corroborated: Carpenter et al. J Zoo Wildl Med 2009,40:601-606 doi:10.1638/2007-0115.1 (abstract), Delk et al. Am J Vet Res 2014,75:195-199 doi:10.2460/ajvr.75.2.195 (abstract). |
| PO | 0.3–0.6 mg/kg | q24h | 3-7 days | Pain, post-operative analgesia, dental pain | Weak | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th edition, Part B: Exotic Pets; Meloxicam monograph, DOSES, printed p.195.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| SC | 0.3–0.6 mg/kg | q24h | 1-3 days then switch to oral | Post-operative analgesia | Weak | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets (ed. Joanna Hedley), Meloxicam, DOSES, printed p.195: 'Rabbits: 0.3-0.6 mg/kg s.c., p.o. q12-24h'.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Morphine
Analgesic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 0.5–2 mg/kg | q2-4h | Analgesia | Weak | Carpenter JW, Hawkins MG. Personal communication; 2020. | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.863Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Oxymorphone
Analgesic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 0.05–0.2 mg/kg | q6-12h | Analgesia | Moderate | Heard DJ. Anesthesia, analgesia, and sedation of small mammals. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 2nd ed., WB Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2004:356-369. | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.863 doi:10.1016/b0-72-169377-6/50035-6 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b). |
Piroxicam(Feldene)
Analgesic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | q8h x 21 days | Analgesia; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.863 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1033, Piroxicam monograph spanning p.1033-1034. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.