ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/propofol
US brand names:Rapinovet, PropoFlo
Propofol is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg IV, intracardiac not stated in source (induction dose) in ball pythons, per Anderson NL, Wack RF, Calloway L. Cardiopulmonary effects and efficacy of propofol as an anesthetic agent in brown tree snakes, Boiga irregularis. Bull Assoc Rept Amph Vet. 1999;9:9-15. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.248 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a). 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.
Enhances GABA-A receptor activity, producing rapid-onset, ultra-short-acting general anesthesia. Also has some NMDA receptor antagonism.
Respiratory depression/apnea — have intubation equipment ready. No analgesic properties. Hypotension. Repeated use in cats may cause Heinz body formation. Strict aseptic handling (lipid emulsion supports bacterial growth).
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 31 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 | 4–6 mg/kg | To effect (titrate IV) | Strong | Propoflo - Propofol Injection, Emulsion [US Product Label for Dogs]. Zoetis Inc.; 2021. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=9c7679bd-31d1-4a62-b7b5-d0c52be1fccd — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1111 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1080, Propofol monograph spanning p.1080-1085; 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 |
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 4–8 mg/kg | To effect (titrate IV) | Strong |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Species references:All African Clawed Frog drugsAll African Grey Parrot drugsAll African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Axolotl drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Betta (Siamese fighting fish) drugsAll Blue-tongue Skink drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Chinchilla drugsAll Crested Gecko drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Eastern Box Turtle drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Fire Salamander drugsAll Goldfish drugsAll Green Iguana drugsAll Horse (Equine) drugsAll Houston Toad drugs
| Papich MG. Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, Propofol, Small Animal Dosage, Cats, printed p.685 (corpus PDF p.713) - "Anesthesia induction: 4-8 mg/kg IV slowly." NOTE - the previously cited Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1084 prints 2-8 mg/kg extra-label to effect and 8-13.2 mg/kg label unpremedicated, and does not carry the 4 bound. Served 4-8 lies wholly inside plumb's 2-8, so this is a locator fix and no dose changes. The rule's Oliveira 2018 primary citation reports a study ARM (5.3 +/- 1.1 mg/kg), not a recommendation. |