ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/morphine
Morphine is dosed at 1.5 mg/kg IM See source in eastern box turtles, per Mans C, Sladky KK, Schumacher J. General anesthesia. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:447-464.; Rooney TA, Eshar D, Gardhouse S, et al. Evaluation of dexmedetomidine-midazolam-ketamine combination administered intramuscularly in captive ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata ornata). Vet Anaesth Analg; 2021, online 13 August 2021. doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2021.07.002; Sladky KK. Unpublished data; 2017. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.258 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Prototype full mu-opioid receptor agonist. Activates mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptors producing analgesia, sedation, and euphoria.
Histamine release with rapid IV injection (hypotension, bronchoconstriction — give slowly). Vomiting and defecation common initial effects. Respiratory depression. Cats: may cause excitation/dysphoria at higher doses. Controlled substance (Schedule II).
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Eastern Box Turtle drugsAll Green Iguana drugsAll Sulcata Tortoise 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.
Morphine CRI dose rule from the ExoticRx formulary. Verify against current literature before clinical use; CRI rates differ from bolus dosing and route, dilution, and monitoring matter. Sign in for the complete per-species CRI protocol set.
| Species | Route | Rate | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.1–0.5 mg/kgq2-4h bolus or 0.1-0.3 mg/kg/h CRI | Severe pain, CRI | Strong | Lucas AN, Firth AM, Anderson GA, Vine JH, Edwards GA. Comparison of the effects of morphine administered by constant-rate intravenous infusion or intermittent intramuscular injection in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001;218(6):884-891. doi:10.2460/javma.2001.218.884 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.937 (2026-08-01). |
Severe pain, CRI
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.1–0.5 mg/kg | q2-4h bolus or 0.1-0.3 mg/kg/h CRI | Strong | Lucas AN, Firth AM, Anderson GA, Vine JH, Edwards GA. Comparison of the effects of morphine administered by constant-rate intravenous infusion or intermittent intramuscular injection in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001;218(6):884-891. doi:10.2460/javma.2001.218.884 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.937 (2026-08-01). |
| Dog (Domestic) | EPIDURAL | 0.1 mg/kg | Single injection | Strong | Matthews N. Perioperative analgesia: Part 1. Concepts and drugs. Presented at: Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference; 2008. PMID: 42371399 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.937 (2026-08-01). |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.