Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.
Dexmedetomidine is dosed at 0.01–0.05 mg/kg IM once in rabbits, per Lennox AM. Protocols and tips for anesthesia and analgesia for rabbit and rodent dentistry and orofacial surgery. Proc Assoc Exot Mam Vet Conf; 2012:77-78. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b). Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Produces dose-dependent sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation via CNS depression.
Side effects & warnings
Profound cardiovascular effects: initial hypertension then hypotension, bradycardia. Avoid in animals with cardiac disease, hepatic or renal disease. Reversible with atipamezole. Vomiting common after IM injection.
Species with Dexmedetomidine dosing data (28 dose rules)
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Constant rate infusion (CRI)
Dexmedetomidine CRI dose rule from the ExoticRx formulary. Verify against current literature before clinical use; CRI rates differ from bolus dosing and route, dilution, and monitoring matter. Sign in for the complete per-species CRI protocol set.
BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part A: Canine and Feline, Dexmedetomidine, printed p.117 — "Perioperative analgesia and rousable sedation: 1-2 ug/kg/h constant rate infusion" — plus Plumb's 10th ed. printed p.370 for the 0.5 ug/kg/hour DMLK rate and 0.72-1 ug/kg/hour post-op CRI. Plumb's ref 44 = Lervik A, Haga HA, Ranheim B, Spadavecchia C. The influence of a continuous rate infusion of dexmedetomidine on the nociceptive withdrawal reflex and temporal summation during isoflurane anaesthesia in dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Dog (Domestic)IV
0.0005–0.002 mg/kg/hper hour (CRI)
CRI for sedation/analgesia
Sample dosing (2 of 28 cited rules)
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 18 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.
BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part A: Canine and Feline, Dexmedetomidine, printed p.117 — "Perioperative analgesia and rousable sedation: 1-2 ug/kg/h constant rate infusion" — plus Plumb's 10th ed. printed p.370 for the 0.5 ug/kg/hour DMLK rate and 0.72-1 ug/kg/hour post-op CRI. Plumb's ref 44 = Lervik A, Haga HA, Ranheim B, Spadavecchia C. The influence of a continuous rate infusion of dexmedetomidine on the nociceptive withdrawal reflex and temporal summation during isoflurane anaesthesia in dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
· BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part A - Canine and Feline, Appendix II: Protocols, 'Sedative combinations for dogs - Alpha-2 agonists as sole agents', book p.472
Upgrade for Full Details
Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.
BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part A: Canine and Feline, Dexmedetomidine, printed p.117 — "Perioperative analgesia and rousable sedation: 1-2 ug/kg/h constant rate infusion" — plus Plumb's 10th ed. printed p.370 for the 0.5 ug/kg/hour DMLK rate and 0.72-1 ug/kg/hour post-op CRI. Plumb's ref 44 = Lervik A, Haga HA, Ranheim B, Spadavecchia C. The influence of a continuous rate infusion of dexmedetomidine on the nociceptive withdrawal reflex and temporal summation during isoflurane anaesthesia in dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg.
Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
·
BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part A: Canine and Feline, Dexmedetomidine, printed p.117 — "Perioperative analgesia and rousable sedation: 1-2 ug/kg/h constant rate infusion" — plus Plumb's 10th ed. printed p.370 for the 0.5 ug/kg/hour DMLK rate and 0.72-1 ug/kg/hour post-op CRI. Plumb's ref 44 = Lervik A, Haga HA, Ranheim B, Spadavecchia C. The influence of a continuous rate infusion of dexmedetomidine on the nociceptive withdrawal reflex and temporal summation during isoflurane anaesthesia in dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg.
· Bisetto SP, Melo CF, Carregaro AB. Evaluation of sedative and antinociceptive effects of dexmedetomidine, midazolam and dexmedetomidine-midazolam in tegus (Salvator merianae). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2018;45(3):320-328. doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2017.12.004https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29555147/
· Browning GR, Eshar D, Beaufrère H. Comparison of dexmedetomidine-ketamine-midazolam and isoflurane for anesthesia of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2019;58:50-57. doi:10.30802/aalas-jaalas-18-000001 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by independent literature: Comparison of the effects of a dexmedetomidine-ketamine-midazolam anesthetic protocol versus isoflurane inhalation anesthesia on echocardiography variables and plasma cardiac tropo (American journal of veterinary research, 2019). doi:10.2460/ajvr.80.12.1114. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.80.12.1114. The paper reports this drug at this dose in this species: "als Nine 6-month-old sexually intact male captive BTPDs. Procedures Each BTPD was randomly assigned […]". This is a second source alongside the book already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct.
· Hedley J. Small Animal Formulary-Part B: Exotic Pets, 10th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2020. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.939 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Ferrets).
· Heniff AC, Petritz OA, Carpenter RG, Lewbart GA, Balko JA. Anesthetic efficacy of dexmedetomidine-ketamine in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) is enhanced with the addition of midazolam and when administered in the forelimb versus the hindlimb. Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(2):ajvr.23.10.0226. doi:10.2460/ajvr.23.10.0226https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/38039626
· Jeffrey A, Burns L, Santangelo S, Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Camlic S, Paredes B, Barletta M, et al. Medetomidine-vatinoxan-midazolam provides similar sedation depth with reduced bradycardia compared to dexmedetomidine-midazolam in pigeons (Columba livia domestica). Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(10):ajvr.24.05.0143. doi:10.2460/ajvr.24.05.0143https://europepmc.org/article/MED/39127079
· Lennox AM. Protocols and tips for anesthesia and analgesia for rabbit and rodent dentistry and orofacial surgery. Proc Assoc Exot Mam Vet Conf; 2012:77-78. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b).
· Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed (2019), Table 49.2: "Dexmedetomidine + midazolam / Leopard gecko / 0.1 (D) + 1 (Mi) / SC" (ref 27). Ref 27: Doss GA, Fink DM, Sladky KK, Mans C. Comparison of subcutaneous dexmedetomidine-midazolam versus alfaxalone-midazolam sedation in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2017;44(5):1175-1183. doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2017.03.007. PMID 28882371.
· Mans, C., Sladky, K., and Schumacher, J. (2019). General anesthesia. In: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3e (eds. S. Divers and S. Stahl), 447-464. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. / Sladky, K. and Mans, C. (2012). Clinical anesthesia in reptiles. J. Exot. Pet. Med. 21 (1): 17-31. — Graham, Doss & Beaufrere, Exotic Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, p.750
· Mason AK, Lee J, Perry SM, Boykin KL, Del Piero F, Lierz M, Mitchell MA. Determining the Effects of Serial Injections of Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin on Plasma Testosterone Concentrations, Testicular Dynamics, and Semen Production in Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius). Animals (Basel). 2021;11(9):2477. doi:10.3390/ani11092477. PMCID: PMC8470321. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8470321/
· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. (Carpenter ref for the guinea-pig ketamine/dexmedetomidine row, refs p.830) — Quesenberry et al., Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents, 4th Ed, p.551 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.20 (Electrocardiographic Measurements in Rodents.71,167). — Carpenter's 6th ed, Table 4.32 (Known and Potential Reptile Toxins.126).
· Parkinson L, Mans C. Anesthetic and Postanesthetic Effects of Alfaxalone-Butorphanol Compared with Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2017;56(3):290-295. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5438922/ — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by independent literature: Comparison of Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine with Isoflurane for Anesthesia of Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). (Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science: JAALAS, 2016). PMID:27177565. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27177565/. The paper reports this drug at this dose in this species: "chilla lanigera). In a prospective, complete crossover study, adult chinchillas (n = 8; age, 2 to 5 […]". This is a second source alongside the book already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct.
· Plumb's 10th ed printed p.367, Dexmedetomidine monograph spanning p.367-371.
· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.367, Dexmedetomidine monograph spanning p.367-371.
· Schumacher J, Mans C. Anesthesia. In: Mader DR, Divers SJ, eds. Current Therapy in Reptile Medicine and Surgery. St. Louis: WB Saunders; 2014: 134-153.
· Schumacher J, Mans C. Anesthesia. In: Mader DR, Divers SJ, eds. Current Therapy in Reptile Medicine and Surgery. St. Louis: WB Saunders; 2014:134-153.
· Turner RC, Gatson BJ, Hernandez JA, Alexander AB, Aitken-Palmer C, Vigani A, Heard DJ. Sedation and anesthesia of Galapagos (Chelonoidis nigra), Aldabra (Aldabrachelys gigantea), and African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata): a retrospective review (2009-2019). Animals (Basel). 2021;11(10):2920. doi:10.3390/ani11102920https://europepmc.org/article/MED/34679940