ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/naloxone
US brand names:Narcan
Naloxone is dosed at 0.04–2 mg/kg SC as needed for reversal (no interval given) in corn snakes, per 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). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Competitive mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptor antagonist. Rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension.
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.
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.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 0.01–0.04 mg/kg | IV bolus, repeat as needed | Strong | NARCAN INJECTION - Naloxone Hydrochloride Liquid (Solution) for Dogs [US Product Label]. Endo Pharmaceutical Co.; 2017. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.952 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.924, Naloxone monograph spanning p.924-925; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.01–0.04 mg/kg | IV bolus, repeat as needed | Strong | NARCAN INJECTION - Naloxone Hydrochloride Liquid (Solution) for Dogs [US Product Label]. Endo Pharmaceutical Co.; 2017. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.952 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.924, Naloxone monograph spanning p.924-925; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, |
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Species references:All African Clawed Frog drugsAll African Grey Parrot drugsAll African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Axolotl drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Chinchilla drugsAll Corn Snake drugsAll Degu drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Dwarf Hamster drugsAll Fire Salamander drugsAll Gerbil drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Houston Toad drugsAll Mouse drugsAll Pet Rat drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugsAll Red-eared Slider drugsAll White's Tree Frog drugs