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Dexmedetomidine

Dexdomitor, Sileo

Calculate dosage
Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Anesthetic

Routes

IVIMOTM

Indications

CRIField sedationNoise aversion (Sileo)pre-anestheticSedation

Mechanism of Action

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 (12 dose rules)

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 12 dose rules

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 2 published sources

  • · Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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.

  • Dog (Domestic)IV
    0.0005–0.002 mg/kgper hour (CRI)

    CRI for sedation/analgesia

    StrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 12 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 7 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.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)IV0.0005–0.002 mg/kgper hour (CRI)StrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Dog (Domestic)OTM0.125 mg/m2PRNStrongPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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