Bird · Psittacus erithacus · typical adult weight 0.40–0.65 kg
Butorphanol is dosed at 1–4 mg/kg IM q2-4h in african grey parrots, per Curro TG. Evaluation of the isoflurane-sparing effects of butorphanol and flunixin in psittaciformes. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1994:17-19.; Curro TG, Brunson DB, Paul-Murphy J. Determination of the ED50 of isoflurane and evaluation of the isoflurane-sparing effect of butorphanol in cockatoos (Cacatua spp.). Vet Surg. 1994;23:429-433. doi:10.1111/j.1532-950x.1994.tb00502.x — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.448 (2026-08-01).. Butorphanol is used in african grey parrots for Pain management, sedation, Acute pain, sedation adjunct. Routes documented in african grey parrots: IM, IV. A typical adult african grey parrot weighs 0.40–0.65 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Butorphanol in african grey parrots, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Torbugesic, Torbutrol
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 1–4 mg/kg | q2-4h | As needed | Pain management, sedation | Moderate | Curro TG. Evaluation of the isoflurane-sparing effects of butorphanol and flunixin in psittaciformes. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1994:17-19.; Curro TG, Brunson DB, Paul-Murphy J. Determination of the ED50 of isoflurane and evaluation of the isoflurane-sparing effect of butorphanol in cockatoos (Cacatua spp.). Vet Surg. 1994;23:429-433. doi:10.1111/j.1532-950x.1994.tb00502.x — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.448 (2026-08-01). |
| IV | 1–2 mg/kg | q2-4h | As needed | Acute pain, sedation adjunct | Moderate | Sanchez-Migallon Guzman D, Flammer K, Paul-Murphy J, et al. Pharmacokinetics of butorphanol after oral, intravenous and intramuscular administration in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). J Avian Med Surg. 2011;25:185-191. doi:10.1647/2009-054.1 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.448 (2026-08-01). |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your african grey parrot's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Kappa-opioid receptor agonist and mu-opioid receptor antagonist. Provides visceral analgesia and sedation.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for african grey parrots may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Butorphanol dose ranges in african grey parrots, with cited source references: IM 1–4 mg/kg q2-4h; IV 1–2 mg/kg q2-4h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Butorphanol in african grey parrots: IM, IV.
Cited course lengths for Butorphanol in african grey parrots include: As needed. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Butorphanol is indicated in african grey parrots for: Pain management, sedation, Acute pain, sedation adjunct.
These are general warnings for Butorphanol across species; consult the african grey parrot dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Short duration of action (1-2 hours). Better for visceral than somatic pain. Ceiling effect on analgesia. May cause sedation and mild respiratory depression.
Why a species-specific page? Butorphanol pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in african grey parrots — 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.