ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/bupivacaine
US brand names:Marcaine, Nocita(liposomal)
Bupivacaine is dosed at 1–2 mg/kg local infiltration q4-12h prn in ball pythons, per Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.252 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Usedin Reptiles). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Long-acting amide local anesthetic blocking voltage-gated sodium channels. Duration 4-8 hours (standard) or 72 hours (Nocita liposomal).
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.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 16 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) | Local | 1–2 mg/kg | once per procedure | Strong | Tobias KM, Harvey RC, Byarlay JM. A comparison of four methods of analgesia in cats following ovariohysterectomy. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 2006;33(6):390-398. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2995.2005.00282.x; Yilmaz OT, Toydemir TSF, Kirsan I, Dokuzeylul B, Gunay Z, Karacam E. Effects of Surgical Wound Infiltration with Bupivacaine on Postoperative Analgesia in Cats Undergoing Bilateral Mastectomy. J Vet Med Sci. 2014;76(12):1595-1601. doi:10.1292/jvms.14-0112 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.172 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.144, Bupivacaine monograph spanning p.144-146; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Dog (Domestic) | Local |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Species references:All African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Blue-tongue Skink drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Corn Snake drugsAll Crested Gecko drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Eastern Box Turtle drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugsAll Red-eared Slider drugsAll Russian Tortoise drugsAll Sugar Glider drugsAll Sulcata Tortoise drugs
| 1–2 mg/kg |
| once per procedure |
| Strong |
| Romano M, Portela DA, Breghi G, Otero PE. Stress-related biomarkers in dogs administered regional anaesthesia or fentanyl for analgesia during stifle surgery. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 2016;43(1):44-54. doi:10.1111/vaa.12275 doi:10.1111/vaa.12275 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.172 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.145, Bupivacaine monograph spanning p.144-146; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |