Pocket Pet · Cynomys ludovicianus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.68 kg
Dexmedetomidine is dosed at 0.25 mg/kg IM not specified in prairie dogs, per 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 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.785 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — 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. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Dexmedetomidine is used in prairie dogs for Anesthesia induction (DKM protocol), General anesthesia (as part of alfaxalone-ketamine-dexmedetomidine [AKD] combination). Routes documented in prairie dogs: IM. A typical adult prairie dog weighs 0.70–1.68 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Dexmedetomidine in prairie dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Dexdomitor, Sileo
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.25 mg/kg | not specified | Anesthesia induction (DKM protocol) | Weak | 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 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.785 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — 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. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your prairie dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Produces dose-dependent sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation via CNS depression.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for prairie dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dexmedetomidine dose ranges in prairie dogs, with cited source references: IM 0.25 mg/kg not specified; IM 0.15 mg/kg not specified. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dexmedetomidine in prairie dogs: IM.
Dexmedetomidine is indicated in prairie dogs for: Anesthesia induction (DKM protocol), General anesthesia (as part of alfaxalone-ketamine-dexmedetomidine [AKD] combination).
These are general warnings for Dexmedetomidine across species; consult the prairie dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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.
Why a species-specific page? Dexmedetomidine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in prairie dogs — 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.
| IM | 0.15 mg/kg | not specified | General anesthesia (as part of alfaxalone-ketamine-dexmedetomidine [AKD] combination) | Weak | Anesthetic effects of alfaxalone-ketamine-midazolam and alfaxalone-ketamine-dexmedetomidine administered intramuscularly in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Am J Vet Res. 2022;83(9). doi:10.2460/ajvr.21.11.0193. PMID: 35895768. URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35895768/ |