Dexmedetomidine for Prairie Dogs
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 Comparison of Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine-Midazolam and Isoflurane for Anesthesia of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci (JAALAS). DOI: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-18-000001; PMID: 30396377; PMCID: PMC6351049. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6351049/. 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.
Trade names: Dexdomitor, Sileo
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.25 mg/kg | not specified | Anesthesia induction (DKM protocol) | Weak | Comparison of Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine-Midazolam and Isoflurane for Anesthesia of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci (JAALAS). DOI: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-18-000001; PMID: 30396377; PMCID: PMC6351049. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6351049/ |
| 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/ |
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.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for prairie dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dose of Dexmedetomidine for Prairie Dogs?
Dexmedetomidine dose ranges in prairie dogs, with cited source references: IM 0.25 mg/kg not specified; IM 0.15 mg/kg not specified.
How is Dexmedetomidine administered in Prairie Dogs?
Documented routes for Dexmedetomidine in prairie dogs: IM.
What conditions does Dexmedetomidine treat in Prairie Dogs?
Dexmedetomidine is indicated in prairie dogs for: Anesthesia induction (DKM protocol), General anesthesia (as part of alfaxalone-ketamine-dexmedetomidine [AKD] combination).
What are the side effects of Dexmedetomidine in Prairie Dogs?
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.
Other Anesthetic drugs with prairie dog dosing
Dexmedetomidine dosing in other species
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.