Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.
Naloxone is dosed at 0.01–0.1 mg/kg IV not stated in source in rabbits, per Cantwell S. Ferret, rabbit, and rodent anesthesia. In: Heard D, eds. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2001;4:169-191. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b). Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Mu-opioid agonist reversalOpioid reversalReversal of mu-opioid agonists
Mechanism of Action
Competitive mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptor antagonist. Rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension.
Side effects & warnings
Very short duration (30-60 min) — renarcotization risk with long-acting opioids. May precipitate acute withdrawal, pain, and sympathetic surge. Repeat dosing often needed.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Sample dosing (2 of 19 cited rules)
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 19 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.
NARCAN INJECTION - Naloxone Hydrochloride Liquid (Solution) for Dogs [US Product Label]. Endo Pharmaceutical Co.; 2017. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.924, Naloxone monograph spanning p.924-925.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
NARCAN INJECTION - Naloxone Hydrochloride Liquid (Solution) for Dogs [US Product Label]. Endo Pharmaceutical Co.; 2017. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.924, Naloxone monograph spanning p.924-925.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
· 15. Doss G. Personal observation; 2020. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.740 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.4 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Hedgehogs).
· 74. Henke J, Baumgartner C, Roltgen I, et al. Anaesthesia with midazolam/medetomidine/fentanyl in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) compared to anaesthesia with xylazine/ketamine and medetomidine/ketamine. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2004;51:259-264. | 81. Huerkamp M. Anesthesia and postoperative management of rabbits and pocket pets. In: Bonagura JD, eds. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XII Small Animal Practice; W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1995:1322-1327. | 114. Mayer J. Rodents. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2013:476-516. | 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.787 doi:10.1111/j.1439-0442.2004.00632.x — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).
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· 74. Henke J, Baumgartner C, Roltgen I, et al. Anaesthesia with midazolam/medetomidine/fentanyl in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) compared to anaesthesia with xylazine/ketamine and medetomidine/ketamine. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2004;51:259-264.; 81. Huerkamp M. Anesthesia and postoperative management of rabbits and pocket pets. In: Bonagura JD, eds. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XII Small Animal Practice; W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1995:1322-1327.; 114. Mayer J. Rodents. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2013:476-516.; 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.787 doi:10.1111/j.1439-0442.2004.00632.x — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).
· Cantwell S. Ferret, rabbit, and rodent anesthesia. In: Heard D, eds. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2001;4:169-191. doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30056-7 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits.a,b).
· Exotic Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Ch.27 (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), Table 27.2 'Emergency drug doses commonly used in avian patients', p.499: Naloxone (0.4 mg/ml), reversal of opioids, 0.01-0.05 mg/kg. Supporting route evidence: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, Naloxone monograph, p.952 (dogs & cats, opioid reversal, extra-label): '0.001 - 0.04 mg/kg IV, IM, SC'. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.924, Naloxone monograph spanning p.924-925.
· Henke J, Baumgartner C, Roltgen I, et al. Anaesthesia with midazolam/medetomidine/fentanyl in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) compared to anaesthesia with xylazine/ketamine and medetomidine/ketamine. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2004;51:259-264. / Huerkamp M. Anesthesia and postoperative management of rabbits and pocket pets. In: Bonagura JD, eds. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XII Small Animal Practice; W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1995:1322-1327. / Mayer J. Rodents. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2013:476-516. / Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.787 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).
· Henke J, Baumgartner C, Roltgen I, et al. Anaesthesia with midazolam/medetomidine/fentanyl in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) compared to anaesthesia with xylazine/ketamine and medetomidine/ketamine. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2004;51:259-264. | Huerkamp M. Anesthesia and postoperative management of rabbits and pocket pets. In: Bonagura JD, eds. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XII Small Animal Practice; W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1995:1322-1327. | Mayer J. Rodents. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2013:476-516. | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.787 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).
· Henke J, Baumgartner C, Roltgen I, et al. Anaesthesia with midazolam/medetomidine/fentanyl in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) compared to anaesthesia with xylazine/ketamine and medetomidine/ketamine. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2004;51:259-264. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.787 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).
· Huerkamp M. Anesthesia and postoperative management of rabbits and pocket pets. In: Bonagura JD, eds. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XII Small Animal Practice; W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1995:1322-1327. | Mayer J. Rodents. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2013:476-516. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.787 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents).
· Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.212.
· 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. (also cited: Sladky KK, Mans C. Clinical analgesia in reptiles. J Exot Pet Med. 2012;21:17-32; Sladky KK, Miletic V, Paul-Murphy J, et al. Analgesic efficacy and respiratory effects of butorphanol and morphine in turtles. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007;230:1356-1362.) — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 doi:10.2460/javma.233.2.267 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles).
· Sladky KK, Miletic V, Paul-Murphy J, et al. Analgesic efficacy and respiratory effects of butorphanol and morphine in turtles. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007;230:1356-1362. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles).
Naloxone (Narcan) Dosage for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs | ExoticRx