ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/fentanyl
US brand names:Duragesic(patch), Sublimaze(injectable)
Fentanyl is dosed at 10 mcg/kg/h IO CRI constant rate infusion in bearded dragons, per 426. Siddle MR, Hanak E, Parker DL, et al. Cholecystectomy for the treatment of enterococcal cholecystitis and cholelithiasis in an inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps): a case report. J Exot Pet Med; 2020:64-68. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.253 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. 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 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.541 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.512, Fentanyl, Injection monograph spanning p.512-514; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
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 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.541 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.512, Fentanyl, Injection monograph spanning p.512-514; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Cat (Domestic) | TRANSDERMAL | 2–4 mcg/kg/h | q72h (patch replacement) | Moderate |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Intraoperative analgesia, CRI
| Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, 'Fentanyl, Transdermal Patch' monograph, printed p.515-518 (corpus PDF p.542-545); 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). |