Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Buprenorphine is used in cat for Moderate pain, Moderate pain, peri-operative, Moderate pain, post-operative, Moderate pain (Simbadol formulation). Routes documented in cat: IM, IV, OTM, SC. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 4 cited dose rules for Buprenorphine in cat, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Simbadol, Buprenex
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg | q6-8h | As needed | Moderate pain | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| IV | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg | q6-8h | As needed | Moderate pain, peri-operative | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| OTM | 0.01–0.03 mg/kg | q6-8h | As needed | Moderate pain, post-operative | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| SC | 0.24 mg/kg | q24h | Up to 3 days | Moderate pain (Simbadol formulation) | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your cat's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors with high receptor affinity. Provides analgesia with a ceiling effect on respiratory depression.
OTM (oral transmucosal) absorption effective in cats. Ceiling effect limits maximum analgesia. Difficult to reverse with naloxone due to high receptor affinity.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cat may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Why a species-specific page? Buprenorphine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cat — 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.