Bird · Melopsittacus undulatus · typical adult weight 0.03–0.07 kg
Alfaxalone is dosed at 15 mg/kg IM single dose for short procedural sedation in budgerigars, per Escalante GC, Balko JA, Chinnadurai SK. Comparison of the Sedative Effects of Alfaxalone and Butorphanol-Midazolam Administered Intramuscularly in Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). J Avian Med Surg. 2018;32(4):279. doi:10.1647/2017-328 https://doi.org/10.1647/2017-328. Alfaxalone is used in budgerigars for Sedation for radiography, venipuncture and physical examination. Routes documented in budgerigars: IM. A typical adult budgerigar weighs 0.03–0.07 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Alfaxalone in budgerigars, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Alfaxan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 15 mg/kg | single dose for short procedural sedation | Sedation for radiography, venipuncture and physical examination | Moderate | Escalante GC, Balko JA, Chinnadurai SK. Comparison of the Sedative Effects of Alfaxalone and Butorphanol-Midazolam Administered Intramuscularly in Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). J Avian Med Surg. 2018;32(4):279. doi:10.1647/2017-328 https://doi.org/10.1647/2017-328 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–4 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.23 | For large birds and those with a dive response: 2-4 mg/kg i.v. to effect |
| 2 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.5 | 2 mg/kg IV |
| 10 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.5 | 10 mg/kg IM 25 mg/kg IM |
| 25 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.5 | 10 mg/kg IM 25 mg/kg IM |
| 20 | IM |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your budgerigar's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Neuroactive steroid that modulates GABA-A receptors, producing dose-dependent sedation to general anesthesia.
Apnea with rapid IV injection — titrate slowly. No analgesic properties. Short shelf life once broached (use within 6 hours unless preserved formulation). Good safety profile in exotic species.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for budgerigars may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Alfaxalone dose range in budgerigars, with cited source references: IM 15 mg/kg single dose for short procedural sedation. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Alfaxalone in budgerigars: IM.
Alfaxalone is indicated in budgerigars for: Sedation for radiography, venipuncture and physical examination.
These are general warnings for Alfaxalone across species; consult the budgerigar dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Apnea with rapid IV injection — titrate slowly. No analgesic properties. Short shelf life once broached (use within 6 hours unless preserved formulation). Good safety profile in exotic species.
Why a species-specific page? Alfaxalone pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in budgerigars — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.
| Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.5 |
| 20 mg/kg IM |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.