Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Methohexital is dosed at 3–6 mg/kg IV Single dose IV to effect in dogs, per Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.539 (2026-08-01).. Methohexital is used in dogs for Ultra-short anesthetic induction. Routes documented in dogs: IV. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Methohexital in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Brevital
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 3–6 mg/kg | Single dose IV to effect | 5-10 minutes | Ultra-short anesthetic induction | Moderate | Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.539 (2026-08-01). |
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Ultra-short acting barbiturate that enhances GABA-A receptor activity and blocks AMPA receptors. Rapid onset and very short duration of action.
Causes respiratory depression. Perivascular injection causes tissue necrosis. Not analgesic. Causes excitatory phenomena (tremors, hiccoughs). Recovery may be rough in sighthounds.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Methohexital dose range in dogs, with cited source references: IV 3–6 mg/kg Single dose IV to effect. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Methohexital in dogs: IV.
Cited course lengths for Methohexital in dogs include: 5-10 minutes. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Methohexital is indicated in dogs for: Ultra-short anesthetic induction.
These are general warnings for Methohexital across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Causes respiratory depression. Perivascular injection causes tissue necrosis. Not analgesic. Causes excitatory phenomena (tremors, hiccoughs). Recovery may be rough in sighthounds.
Why a species-specific page? Methohexital pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — 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.