Butorphanol for Zebra Finches
Bird · Taeniopygia guttata · typical adult weight 0.01–0.02 kg
Butorphanol is dosed at 1 mg/kg IM See source in zebra finches, per Chen K-H, et al. Delayed evoked potentials in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) under midazolam-butorphanol-isoflurane anesthesia. PeerJ. 2019;7:e7937. DOI 10.7717/peerj.7937; PMID 31660277; PMCID PMC6815651. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6815651/. Butorphanol is used in zebra finches for Preanesthetic medication / analgesia (premedication before isoflurane), Premedication/analgesia prior to isoflurane anesthesia induction (given 10 min before induction). Routes documented in zebra finches: IM. A typical adult zebra finch weighs 0.01–0.02 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Butorphanol in zebra finches, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Torbugesic, Torbutrol
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 1 mg/kg | See source | Preanesthetic medication / analgesia (premedication before isoflurane) | Weak | Chen K-H, et al. Delayed evoked potentials in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) under midazolam-butorphanol-isoflurane anesthesia. PeerJ. 2019;7:e7937. DOI 10.7717/peerj.7937; PMID 31660277; PMCID PMC6815651. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6815651/ |
| IM | 1 mg/kg | See source | Premedication/analgesia prior to isoflurane anesthesia induction (given 10 min before induction) | Weak | Chang C-C, et al. Delayed evoked potentials in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) under midazolam-butorphanol-isoflurane anesthesia. PeerJ. 2019;7:e7937. DOI 10.7717/peerj.7937; PMID 31660277; PMCID PMC6815651. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6815651/ |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your zebra finch's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for zebra finches 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 Zebra Finches?
Butorphanol dose ranges in zebra finches, with cited source references: IM 1 mg/kg See source; IM 1 mg/kg See source.
How is Butorphanol administered in Zebra Finches?
Documented routes for Butorphanol in zebra finches: IM.
What conditions does Butorphanol treat in Zebra Finches?
Butorphanol is indicated in zebra finches for: Preanesthetic medication / analgesia (premedication before isoflurane), Premedication/analgesia prior to isoflurane anesthesia induction (given 10 min before induction).
What are the side effects of Butorphanol in Zebra Finches?
These are general warnings for Butorphanol across species; consult the zebra finch 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.
Other Analgesic drugs with zebra finch dosing
Butorphanol dosing in other species
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 zebra finches — 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.