Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg
Midazolam is dosed at 0.5–2 mg/kg IM once 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.862 (2026-08-01).. Midazolam is used in rabbits for Pre-anesthetic sedation, Seizure control. Routes documented in rabbits: IM, IV. A typical adult rabbit weighs 1.00–5.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Midazolam in rabbits, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Versed
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.5–2 mg/kg | once | Single dose | Pre-anesthetic sedation | 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.862 (2026-08-01). |
| IV | 0.25–2 mg/kg | once | Until seizures controlled | Seizure control | Moderate | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.862, Midazolam row '0.25-2 mg/kg SC, IM, IV166 Sedation; preanesthetic' (ref 166 = Morrissey JM, Carpenter JW, Appendix: Formulary). Corroborated in-species by frr 4th Ed Appendix Table A.4 (corpus p.640, printed p.628), Rabbits column: 'Midazolam 0.25-2 mg/kg SC, IM, IV'; and BSAVA Part B printed p.205 / corpus p.219: 'Rabbits: 0.2-2 mg/kg i.v., i.m.' |
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Enhances GABA-A receptor activity, increasing chloride conductance. Provides anxiolysis, sedation, muscle relaxation, and anticonvulsant effects.
May cause paradoxical excitement in healthy dogs when used alone. Water-soluble (less painful IM than diazepam). Respiratory depression at high doses. Flumazenil is the reversal agent.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for rabbits may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Midazolam dose ranges in rabbits, with cited source references: IM 0.5–2 mg/kg once; IV 0.25–2 mg/kg once. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Midazolam in rabbits: IM, IV.
Cited course lengths for Midazolam in rabbits include: Single dose; Until seizures controlled. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Midazolam is indicated in rabbits for: Pre-anesthetic sedation, Seizure control.
These are general warnings for Midazolam across species; consult the rabbit dosing table above for species-specific guidance. May cause paradoxical excitement in healthy dogs when used alone. Water-soluble (less painful IM than diazepam). Respiratory depression at high doses. Flumazenil is the reversal agent.
Why a species-specific page? Midazolam 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.