Detomidine (Injectable) for Horses

Equine · Equus caballus · typical adult weight 350.00–700.00 kg

Detomidine (Injectable) is dosed at 0.02–0.04 mg/kg IM single dose in horses, per Plumb's 10th ed printed p.359, Detomidine monograph spanning p.358-360. Detomidine (Injectable) is used in horses for Standing sedation, Sedation, analgesia. Routes documented in horses: IM, IV. A typical adult horse weighs 350.00–700.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Detomidine (Injectable) in horses, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Dormosedan

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.02–0.04 mg/kg	single dose	Standing sedation	Strong	Plumb's 10th ed printed p.359, Detomidine monograph spanning p.358-360.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
IV	0.01–0.04 mg/kg	single dose	Sedation, analgesia

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 mcg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mcg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
5–40	IV	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.217	• 2-10 mcg/kg (0.002-0.1 mg/kg) IV or 5-40 mcg/kg (0.005-0.04 mg/kg) IM.
10–20	—	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.216	(Dose of 10-20 mcg/kg is equivalent to 5-10 mg per horse)
20–40	IV	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.216	• Sedation: 20-40 mcg/kg (0.02-0.04 mg/kg) IV or IM. Lower doses of 10-20
10	—	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.216	example, doses of 10 mcg/kg (0.01 mg/kg) will produce slightly less ataxia and

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Mechanism of action

Potent alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist providing dose-dependent sedation and analgesia. More potent than xylazine. Acts on central and peripheral alpha-2 receptors.

Side effects & warnings

Causes initial hypertension followed by hypotension and bradycardia. Transient second-degree AV block is common. Reduce doses of other CNS depressants. Atipamezole reversal available but not labeled for horses.

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Detomidine (Injectable) for Horses?

Detomidine (Injectable) dose ranges in horses, with cited source references: IM 0.02–0.04 mg/kg single dose; IV 0.01–0.04 mg/kg single dose. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Detomidine (Injectable) administered in Horses?

Documented routes for Detomidine (Injectable) in horses: IM, IV.

What conditions does Detomidine (Injectable) treat in Horses?

Detomidine (Injectable) is indicated in horses for: Standing sedation, Sedation, analgesia.

What are the side effects of Detomidine (Injectable) in Horses?

These are general warnings for Detomidine (Injectable) across species; consult the horse dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Causes initial hypertension followed by hypotension and bradycardia. Transient second-degree AV block is common. Reduce doses of other CNS depressants. Atipamezole reversal available but not labeled for horses.

Why a species-specific page? Detomidine (Injectable) pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in horses — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.

Printed doses in mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
0.002–0.1	IV	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.217	• 2-10 mcg/kg (0.002-0.1 mg/kg) IV or 5-40 mcg/kg (0.005-0.04 mg/kg) IM.
0.02–0.04	IV	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.216	• Sedation: 20-40 mcg/kg (0.02-0.04 mg/kg) IV or IM. Lower doses of 10-20
0.01	—	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.216	example, doses of 10 mcg/kg (0.01 mg/kg) will produce slightly less ataxia and
0.02	IV	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.217	• Analgesia: 20 mcg/kg (0.02 mg/kg) IV or IM. Duration of analgesia may be
0.005–0.04	IV	Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed

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.