Reptile · Pogona vitticeps · typical adult weight 0.38–0.51 kg
Morphine is dosed at 1–5 mg/kg IM IM q24h in bearded dragons, per 434. Sladky KK, Kinney ME, Johnson SM. Analgesic efficacy of butorphanol and morphine in bearded dragons and corn snakes. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008;233:267-273. / 488. Williams CJ, James LE, Bertelsen MF, et al. Tachycardia in response to remote capsaicin injections as a model for nociception in the ball python (Python regius). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2015;43:429-434. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.2460/javma.233.2.267. Morphine is used in bearded dragons for Analgesia. Routes documented in bearded dragons: IM. A typical adult bearded dragon weighs 0.38–0.51 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Morphine in bearded dragons, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 1–5 mg/kg | IM q24h | Analgesia | Moderate | 434. Sladky KK, Kinney ME, Johnson SM. Analgesic efficacy of butorphanol and morphine in bearded dragons and corn snakes. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008;233:267-273. / 488. Williams CJ, James LE, Bertelsen MF, et al. Tachycardia in response to remote capsaicin injections as a model for nociception in the ball python (Python regius). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2015;43:429-434. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.2460/javma.233.2.267 |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your bearded dragon's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for bearded dragons may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Morphine dose range in bearded dragons, with cited source references: IM 1–5 mg/kg IM q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Morphine in bearded dragons: IM.
Morphine is indicated in bearded dragons for: Analgesia.
These are general warnings for Morphine across species; consult the bearded dragon dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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).
Why a species-specific page? Morphine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in bearded dragons — 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.