Bird · Ara ararauna · typical adult weight 0.90–1.30 kg
Butorphanol is dosed at 0.5–4 mg/kg IM, IV q1-4h in blue-and-gold macaws, per 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). Butorphanol is used in blue-and-gold macaws for Analgesia / sedation (kappa-opioid agonist-antagonist). Routes documented in blue-and-gold macaws: IM, IV. A typical adult blue-and-gold macaw weighs 0.90–1.30 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Butorphanol in blue-and-gold macaws, 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 | 0.5–4 mg/kg | q1-4h | Analgesia / sedation (kappa-opioid agonist-antagonist) | Weak | 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) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your blue-and-gold macaw'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 blue-and-gold macaws may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Butorphanol dose range in blue-and-gold macaws, with cited source references: IM, IV 0.5–4 mg/kg q1-4h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Butorphanol in blue-and-gold macaws: IM, IV.
Butorphanol is indicated in blue-and-gold macaws for: Analgesia / sedation (kappa-opioid agonist-antagonist).
These are general warnings for Butorphanol across species; consult the blue-and-gold macaw 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 blue-and-gold macaws — 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.