Bird · Amazona spp. · typical adult weight 0.35–0.55 kg
Butorphanol is dosed at 2–5 mg/kg IM, IV q2-3h in amazon parrots, per 485. Klaphake E, Schumacher J, Greenacre C, et al. Comparative anesthetic and cardiopulmonary effects of pre- versus postoperative butorphanol administration in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) anesthetized with sevoflurane. J Avian Med Surg. 2006;20:2-7. | 820. 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. | 872. Sladky KK, Krugner-Higby L, Meek-Walker E, et al. Serum concentrations and analgesic effects of liposome-encapsulated and standard butorphanol tartrate in parrots. Am J Vet Res. 2006;67:775-781. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.448 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1647/1082-6742(2006)20[2:caaceo]2.0.co;2. Butorphanol is used in amazon parrots for Analgesia; preemptive analgesia with sevoflurane anesthesia. Routes documented in amazon parrots: IM, IV. A typical adult amazon parrot weighs 0.35–0.55 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Butorphanol in amazon parrots, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Torbugesic, Torbutrol
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM, IV | 2–5 mg/kg | q2-3h | Analgesia; preemptive analgesia with sevoflurane anesthesia | Moderate | 485. Klaphake E, Schumacher J, Greenacre C, et al. Comparative anesthetic and cardiopulmonary effects of pre- versus postoperative butorphanol administration in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) anesthetized with sevoflurane. J Avian Med Surg. 2006;20:2-7. | 820. 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. | 872. Sladky KK, Krugner-Higby L, Meek-Walker E, et al. Serum concentrations and analgesic effects of liposome-encapsulated and standard butorphanol tartrate in parrots. Am J Vet Res. 2006;67:775-781. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.448 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1647/1082-6742(2006)20[2:caaceo]2.0.co;2 |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your amazon 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 amazon parrots may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Butorphanol dose range in amazon parrots, with cited source references: IM, IV 2–5 mg/kg q2-3h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Butorphanol in amazon parrots: IM, IV.
Butorphanol is indicated in amazon parrots for: Analgesia; preemptive analgesia with sevoflurane anesthesia.
These are general warnings for Butorphanol across species; consult the amazon 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 amazon 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.