ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/methadone
US brand names:Methadose
Methadone is dosed at 0.3 mg/kg SC not stated in source in ferrets, per Shin CW, Knych H, Desprez I, Ambros B. Pharmacokinetics of methadone after intravenous and subcutaneous administration in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2024;51(6):730-737. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Full mu-opioid receptor agonist providing analgesia. Also antagonizes NMDA receptors and inhibits serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake, contributing to multimodal analgesia.
Respiratory depression. Bradycardia. No histamine release (advantage over morphine). NMDA antagonism provides wind-up prevention. Controlled substance (Schedule II). Dogs and cats.
Species references:All African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Mouse drugsAll Pet Rat drugsAll Red-eared Slider drugsAll Sugar Glider 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.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | IM | 0.1–0.3 mg/kg | q4-6h | Strong | Plumb's 10th ed printed p.842, Methadone monograph spanning p.842-845.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.1–0.5 mg/kg | q4-6h | Strong | Comfortan 10 Mg/Ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats [UK Package Insert]. Eurovet Animal Health; 2005.; Methodyne Injection [Australian Package Insert]. Jurox; 2016.; Bosmans T, Piron K, Oosterlinck M, et al. Comparison of analgesic efficacy of epidural methadone or ropivacaine/methadone with or without pre-operative oral tepoxalin in dogs undergoing tuberositas tibiae advancement surgery. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2012;39(6):618-627. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00744.x — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.842, Methadone monograph spanning p.842-845. |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.