Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Fentanyl is dosed at 2–4 mcg/kg/h TRANSDERMAL q72h (patch replacement) in cats, per 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).. Fentanyl is used in cats for Post-operative pain. Routes documented in cats: TRANSDERMAL. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Fentanyl in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Duragesic, Sublimaze
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRANSDERMAL | 2–4 mcg/kg/h | q72h (patch replacement) | 72h per patch | Post-operative pain | Moderate | 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). |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mcg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | — | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.178 | 5 μg (micrograms)/kg bolus, repeated injections may be required q20min. |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Fentanyl dose range in cats, with cited source references: TRANSDERMAL 2–4 mcg/kg/h q72h (patch replacement). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Fentanyl in cats: TRANSDERMAL.
Cited course lengths for Fentanyl in cats include: 72h per patch. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Fentanyl is indicated in cats for: Post-operative pain.
These are general warnings for Fentanyl across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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.
Why a species-specific page? Fentanyl pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — 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.