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Butorphanol

Torbugesic, Torbutrol

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

Drug Class

Analgesic

Routes

IVIMSC

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Kappa-opioid receptor agonist and mu-opioid receptor antagonist. Provides visceral analgesia and sedation.

Side effects & warnings

Short duration of action (1-2 hours). Better for visceral than somatic pain. Ceiling effect on analgesia. May cause sedation and mild respiratory depression.

Species with Butorphanol dosing data (21 dose rules)

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Cattle (Beef/Dairy) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Horse (Equine) drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Controlled Substance

Controlled substance

Evidence levels across 21 dose rules

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

Backed by 5 published sources

  • · Carpenter 6e
  • · Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
  • · ExoticRx 2026 (hedgehog dosing guide); Carpenter 6e
  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 21 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 11 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
Cat (Domestic)IV0.1–0.4 mg/kgq2-4hStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Dog (Domestic)IV0.1–0.4 mg/kgq2-4hStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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Other formulations of Butorphanol