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Methohexital

Brevital

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Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Anesthetic

Routes

IV

Indications

Ultra-short anesthetic induction

Mechanism of Action

Ultra-short acting barbiturate that enhances GABA-A receptor activity and blocks AMPA receptors. Rapid onset and very short duration of action.

Side effects & warnings

Causes respiratory depression. Perivascular injection causes tissue necrosis. Not analgesic. Causes excitatory phenomena (tremors, hiccoughs). Recovery may be rough in sighthounds.

Species with Methohexital dosing data (2 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs

Controlled Substance

Controlled substance

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Moderate×1Weak×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by a published source

  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 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.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)IV3–6 mg/kgSingle dose IV to effectModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Cat (Domestic)IV3–6 mg/kgSingle dose IV to effectWeakPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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Calculate Dosage for Methohexital