ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/isoflurane
US brand names:IsoFlo, Forane
Isoflurane is dosed at 1.5–3 % (MAC 1.4%) INHALATION Continuous in african grey parrots, per Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.451 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Enhances inhibitory GABA-A receptors and blocks excitatory NMDA receptors, producing dose-dependent general anesthesia.
Most commonly used inhalant anesthetic in veterinary medicine. Dose-dependent hypotension. Minimal hepatic metabolism. Use with precision vaporizer only. Suitable for all species including exotics.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Pet Rat drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugsAll Sugar Glider drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 7 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) | INHALATION | 1.5–2.5 % (MAC 1.3%) | Continuous | Strong | ISOSOL - Isoflurane Liquid [US Product Label for Dogs and Horses]. St Joseph, MO: Vedco, Inc; 2011. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b69c2259-d7d8-482d-8443-6279d217da0a; Bednarski RM. Chapter 44: Dogs and Cats. In: Grimm KA, Lamont LA, Tranquilli WJ, Greene SA, Robertson SA, eds. Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia: The Fifth Edition of Lumb and Jones. 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2015:819-826. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.724 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.695, Isoflurane monograph spanning p.695-697; 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) | INHALATION | 1.5–2.5 % (MAC 1.6%) | Continuous |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Shaughnessy MR, Hofmeister EH. A systematic review of sevoflurane and isoflurane minimum alveolar concentration in domestic cats. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2014;41(1):1-13. doi:10.1111/vaa.12083 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.724 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.695, Isoflurane monograph spanning p.695-697; 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 |