Butorphanol for Guinea Pigs

Pocket Pet · Cavia porcellus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.20 kg

Butorphanol is dosed at 0.2–2 mg/kg SC q4h in guinea pigs, per Allweiler SI. How to improve anesthesia and analgesia in small mammals. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2016;19:361-377. / 51. Flecknell PA. Analgesia and post-operative care. Laboratory Animal Anaesthesia; 2016:141-192. / 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2016.01.012 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.790 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.4 (Analgesic Agents Used in Rodents). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350. Butorphanol is used in guinea pigs for Pain management, Pre-anesthetic sedation. Routes documented in guinea pigs: SC, SC, IM. A typical adult guinea pig weighs 0.70–1.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Butorphanol in guinea pigs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Torbugesic, Torbutrol

Dose ranges

Route	Dose

What each reference text prints

Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.

Printed doses in mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
0.2–2	SC	BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.61	0.2-2 mg/kg s.c. q4h
0.2–2	—	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 9.4	0.2-2 mg/kg q2-4h,130
1–2	SC	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 9.4	1-2 mg/kg SC q4h

Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.

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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for guinea pigs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Butorphanol for Guinea Pigs?

Butorphanol dose ranges in guinea pigs, with cited source references: SC 0.2–2 mg/kg q4h; SC, IM 0.2–2 mg/kg q2-4h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Butorphanol administered in Guinea Pigs?

Documented routes for Butorphanol in guinea pigs: SC, SC, IM.

How long is Butorphanol given in Guinea Pigs?

Cited course lengths for Butorphanol in guinea pigs include: As needed. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.

What conditions does Butorphanol treat in Guinea Pigs?

Butorphanol is indicated in guinea pigs for: Pain management, Pre-anesthetic sedation.

What are the side effects of Butorphanol in Guinea Pigs?

These are general warnings for Butorphanol across species; consult the guinea pig 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.