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Bupivacaine

Marcaine, Nocita(liposomal)

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

Drug Class

Neurological

Routes

Local infiltrationEpiduralSC

Indications

Local anesthesiaLocal/regional anesthesia

Mechanism of Action

Long-acting amide local anesthetic blocking voltage-gated sodium channels. Duration 4-8 hours (standard) or 72 hours (Nocita liposomal).

Side effects & warnings

Nocita (liposomal bupivacaine) FDA-approved for post-op pain in dogs/cats. Cardiotoxic if inadvertently given IV. Do not use with epinephrine on digits/tail.

Species with Bupivacaine dosing data (4 dose rules)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 4 dose rules

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

Backed by 2 published sources

  • · Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 4 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 4 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.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)Local1–2 mg/kgonce per procedureStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Cat (Domestic)Local1–2 mg/kgonce per procedureStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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