Sedation in Chinchillas

Pocket Pet · Chinchilla lanigera · typical adult weight 0.40–0.80 kg

3 cited drugs treat Sedation in chinchillas: Acepromazine, Butorphanol, Diazepam.

Pharmacologic sedation for diagnostic procedures, minor surgical interventions, and pre-anaesthetic premedi-cation. α2 agonists (dexmedetomidine, medetomidine), phenothiazines (acepromazine), and benzodiazepines (midazolam) form the backbone of veterinary protocols.

The overview above describes Sedation across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to chinchillas — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Acepromazine(PromAce, Atravet)

Sedative

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.5–1 mg/kg	once (no interval printed)	Sedation/premedication	Weak	Wenger S. Anesthesia and analgesia in rabbits and rodents. J Exot Pet Med. 2012;21:7-16. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.782 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

Full Acepromazine dosing in Chinchillas →Calculate for this chinchilla →

Butorphanol(Torbugesic, Torbutrol)

Analgesic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.5 mg/kg	once, combined with alfaxalone 5 mg/kg IM	Sedation/light-to-surgical anaesthesia in combination with alfaxalone	Moderate	Parkinson L, Mans C. Anesthetic and Postanesthetic Effects of Alfaxalone-Butorphanol Compared with Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2017;56(3):290-295. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5438922/Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

Full Butorphanol dosing in Chinchillas →Calculate for this chinchilla →

Diazepam(Valium)

Sedative

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	2.5–5 mg/kg	not stated in source	Sedation	Weak	Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.784 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

Full Diazepam dosing in Chinchillas →Calculate for this chinchilla →

All drugs cited for Sedation →All drugs for Chinchillas →

Other conditions in Chinchillas

Pain Management Bacterial Infections Endoparasites Giardiasis Coccidiosis Ectoparasites Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)Flea and Tick Control

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.