Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg
Metoclopramide is dosed at 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q6-8h in rabbits, per Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.892 (2026-08-01).. Metoclopramide is used in rabbits for Severe GI stasis (CRI), GI stasis, gastroparesis, GI stasis (prokinetic), GI stasis. Routes documented in rabbits: IV, PO, SC. A typical adult rabbit weighs 1.00–5.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 4 cited dose rules for Metoclopramide in rabbits, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Reglan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg | per hour (CRI) | Until GI motility returns | Severe GI stasis (CRI) | Extrapolated | Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th ed., Wiley Blackwell, Ames, IA; 2018. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.892 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q6-8h | Until GI motility returns | GI stasis, gastroparesis | Moderate | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.892 (2026-08-01). |
| SC | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q8-12h | Until motility restored | GI stasis (prokinetic) | Moderate | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.892 (2026-08-01). |
| SC | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q6-8h | Until GI motility returns | GI stasis | Moderate | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcu[tt] CJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.892 (2026-08-01). |
One of the cited rules is a continuous-rate-infusion regimen: IV 0.01–0.02 mg/kg per hour (CRI). CRI regimens are delivered as a continuous infusion rather than discrete doses — verify the rate against the cited source before use.
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your rabbit's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Dopamine D2 receptor antagonist. Increases GI motility (prokinetic) and acts centrally as an antiemetic at the chemoreceptor trigger zone.
May cause extrapyramidal signs (restlessness, tremors). Contraindicated with GI obstruction or perforation. Avoid concurrent use with phenothiazines.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for rabbits may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Metoclopramide dose ranges in rabbits, with cited source references: IV 0.01–0.02 mg/kg per hour (CRI); PO 0.5–1 mg/kg q6-8h; SC 0.5–1 mg/kg q8-12h; SC 0.5–1 mg/kg q6-8h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Metoclopramide in rabbits: IV, PO, SC.
Cited course lengths for Metoclopramide in rabbits include: Until GI motility returns; Until motility restored. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Metoclopramide is indicated in rabbits for: Severe GI stasis (CRI), GI stasis, gastroparesis, GI stasis (prokinetic), GI stasis.
These are general warnings for Metoclopramide across species; consult the rabbit dosing table above for species-specific guidance. May cause extrapyramidal signs (restlessness, tremors). Contraindicated with GI obstruction or perforation. Avoid concurrent use with phenothiazines.
Why a species-specific page? Metoclopramide pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in rabbits — 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.