ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/fentanyl
US brand names:Duragesic(patch), Sublimaze(injectable)
Fentanyl is dosed at 1.25–5 µg/kg/h IV CRI continuous infusion in ferrets, per Hawkins MG. Advances in exotic mammal clinical therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2015;18:323-327. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.943 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.6 (Analgesic Agents Used in Ferrets). Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Potent synthetic mu-opioid receptor agonist (50-100x more potent than morphine). Rapid onset, short duration IV. Transdermal provides sustained release over 72 hours.
Potent respiratory depressant. Transdermal patch: 12-24 hour onset, variable absorption (shave area, do not cut patches). Controlled substance (Schedule II). Bradycardia. Fever increases absorption rate.
Species references:All Bearded Dragon drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Red-eared Slider drugs
Controlled substance in the US
Controlled-drug status and schedules differ by country — check your local scheduling rules.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Fentanyl 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.
| Species | Route | Rate | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 2–10 mcg/kg/hCRI | Intraoperative analgesia, CRI | Strong | Biello P, Bateman SW, Kerr CL. Comparison of fentanyl and hydromorphone constant rate infusions for pain management in dogs in an intensive care unit. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2018;45(5):673-683. doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2018.05.005 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.512, Fentanyl, Injection monograph spanning p.512-514. |
Intraoperative analgesia, CRI
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 5 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.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 2–10 mcg/kg/h | CRI | Strong | Biello P, Bateman SW, Kerr CL. Comparison of fentanyl and hydromorphone constant rate infusions for pain management in dogs in an intensive care unit. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2018;45(5):673-683. doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2018.05.005 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.512, Fentanyl, Injection monograph spanning p.512-514. |
| Cat (Domestic) | TRANSDERMAL | 2–4 mcg/kg/h | q72h (patch replacement) | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, 'Fentanyl, Transdermal Patch' monograph, printed p.515-518; the dosing statement is on printed p.517. DELETE the clause 'and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading' — it is false — and delete the pointer to the 'Fentanyl, Injection' monograph (printed p.512-514).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.