Which species have cited Amitriptyline dosing data?

Amitriptyline dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 7 species: African Grey Parrot, Blue-and-Gold Macaw, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Green-cheeked Conure, Lovebird, Pet Rat.

Is Amitriptyline a controlled substance?

Amitriptyline is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Amitriptyline

US brand names:Elavil

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Amitriptyline is dosed at 5–20 mg/kg PO q24h in pet rats, per 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.798 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Behavioral

Routes

Indications

anxietybehavioural (antidepressant)Chronic anxietyFeather-damaging behaviorFeather-damaging behaviourfeline idiopathic cystitisInappropriate eliminationneuropathic painphobiaphobia (tricyclic antidepressant)Separation anxiety

Mechanism of Action

Inhibits reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Also has anticholinergic, antihistaminic, and alpha-adrenergic blocking properties.

Side effects & warnings

Allow 2-4 weeks for behavioral effects. Sedation, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation. CONTRAINDICATED with MAOIs. Serotonin syndrome risk with tramadol. Cardiotoxic in overdose.

Species with Amitriptyline dosing data (7 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot Blue-and-Gold Macaw Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Green-cheeked Conure Lovebird Pet Rat

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugs All Blue-and-Gold Macaw drugs All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Green-cheeked Conure drugs All Lovebird drugs All Pet Rat drugs

Evidence levels across 7 dose rules

Moderate×5Weak×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 7 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 7 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	PO	0.5–2 mg/kg	q12-24h	Moderate	Monteiro BP. Feline Chronic Pain and Osteoarthritis. Vet Clin North Am Small Animal Pract. 2020;50(4):769-788. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.02.003 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.58, Amitriptyline monograph spanning p.58-61.
Dog (Domestic)	PO	1–4 mg/kg	q12h	Moderate	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.58, Amitriptyline monograph spanning p.58-61.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

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Backed by 6 published sourcesShow

· 221. Desmarchelier MR. Clinical psychopharmacology for the exotic animal practitioner. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2021;24:17-35. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.471 doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2020.08.003 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.10 (Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Agents Used in Birds.a,b).
· 267. Eugenio CT. Amitriptyline HCl: clinical study for treatment of feather picking. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 2003:133-135. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.471 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.10 (Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Agents Used in Birds.a,b).
· Eugenio CT. Amitriptyline HCl: clinical study for treatment of feather picking. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 2003:133-135. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.471 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.10 (Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Agents Used in Birds.a,b).

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