ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/detomidine
US brand names:Dormosedan
Detomidine is dosed at 2–4 mg/m2 body surface area (NOT mg/kg) oral transmucosal not stated in source in ferrets, per Phillips BE, Harms CA, Messenger KM. Oral transmucosal detomidine gel for the sedation of the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo). J Exot Pet Med. 2015;24:446-454. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.940 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Ferrets). Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Potent alpha-2 adrenergic agonist providing deep sedation and visceral analgesia. More potent and longer acting than xylazine.
Primarily equine. Profound bradycardia and AV block. Sublingual gel (Dormosedan Gel) for standing sedation in horses. Reversible with atipamezole. Handle with gloves.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Cattle (Beef/Dairy) drugsAll Chicken (Poultry) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Ferret drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 5 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | OTM (transmucosal) | 0.25 mg/kg | Single dose | Extrapolated | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.359, Detomidine monograph spanning p.358-360. — Plumb's 10th ed, Detomidine monograph, printed p.358-360.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| Dog (Domestic) | IM | 0.01–0.04 mg/kg | Single dose | Extrapolated | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.358, Detomidine monograph spanning p.358-360. | ORIGINAL SOURCE THE BOOK CITES (2026-08-20): the dose row carries superscript 6 — "0.01 mg/kg IV in combination with metha- ( Be*8o6(08ep(*e+ (eg, diazep" — which resolves in the monograph's own reference list to: Mama KR, Grimsrud K, Snell T, Stanley S. Plasma concentrations, behavioural and physiological effects following intravenous and intramuscular detomidine in horses. Equine Vet J. 2009;41(8):772-777. This records what the handbook attributes the figure to. It is NOT a statement that the reference was read or that it validates the dose. |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.