Pocket Pet · Mustela putorius furo · typical adult weight 0.60–2.00 kg
Meperidine is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg SC, IM, IV q2-4h in ferrets, per Jepson L. Ferrets. In: Jepson L, eds. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, 2nd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2016:1-42. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.944 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Meperidine is used in ferrets for Opioid analgesia. Routes documented in ferrets: SC, IM, IV. A typical adult ferret weighs 0.60–2.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Meperidine in ferrets, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM, IV | 5–10 mg/kg | q2-4h | Opioid analgesia | Weak | Jepson L. Ferrets. In: Jepson L, eds. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, 2nd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2016:1-42. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.944 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your ferret's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Added 2026-08-04 by the book-verification programme. Drug identity independently confirmed as distinct from every existing formulary entry. Source opened: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery 3rd Ed, p.1414 (Table 127.6 Analgesic Agents); also Carpenter's 6th Ed p.255, p.454, p.792. Class as printed in source: Opioid agonist (phenylpiperidine, mu-receptor agonist) — analgesic/sedative
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for ferrets may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Meperidine dose range in ferrets, with cited source references: SC, IM, IV 5–10 mg/kg q2-4h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Meperidine in ferrets: SC, IM, IV.
Meperidine is indicated in ferrets for: Opioid analgesia.
These are general warnings for Meperidine across species; consult the ferret dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Added 2026-08-04 by the book-verification programme. Drug identity independently confirmed as distinct from every existing formulary entry. Source opened: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery 3rd Ed, p.1414 (Table 127.6 Analgesic Agents); also Carpenter's 6th Ed p.255, p.454, p.792. Class as printed in source: Opioid agonist (phenylpiperidine, mu-receptor agonist) — analgesic/sedative
Why a species-specific page? Meperidine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in ferrets — 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.