Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.
Xylazine is dosed at 0.1–1.25 mg/kg IM, IV once (preanesthetic) in ball pythons, per Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO, 2019:1191-1211. - Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles): 'Xylazine | 0.1-1.25 mg/kg IM, IV63 | Most species'. Block header, printed: infrequently used, variable effects, potentially reversible with yohimbine, preanesthetic for ketamine. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location.. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist causing dose-dependent sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation. Also activates peripheral alpha-2 receptors causing vasoconstriction and bradycardia.
Side effects & warnings
Profound bradycardia and vomiting (especially cats). Cats more sensitive than dogs. Reversible with atipamezole or yohimbine. Avoid in horses with colic (ileus). 100mg/ml for large animals only.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Backed by 20 published sources
· 127. Mitchell MA, Tully Jr. TN, eds. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice, Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2009. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.788 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). 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
· 127. Mitchell MA, Tully Jr.T.N, eds. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice, Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2009. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.788 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). 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
Sample dosing (2 of 27 cited rules)
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 23 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.
Hartsfield S. Preanesthetic drugs in small animal anesthesia. Presented at: ACVC; 2007. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1348 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1319, Xylazine monograph spanning p.1319-1323; 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
Hartsfield S. Preanesthetic drugs in small animal anesthesia. Presented at: ACVC; 2007. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1348 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1321, Xylazine monograph spanning p.1319-1323; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207,
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34. Johnson D. African pygmy hedgehogs. In: Meredith A, Johnson-Delaney C, eds. BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets, 5th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2010:139-147. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.741 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.5 (Chemical Immobilization Protocols for Hedgehogs.a,b,5,15,17,21-23,28a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929
· 43. Bailey TA, Apo MM. Pharmaceutics commonly used in avian medicine. In: Samour J, eds. Avian Medicine, 3rd ed., Mosby Elsevier, Edinburgh, Scotland; 2016:637-678. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.456 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic/Sedative/Analgesic Agents Used in Birds.a,b). 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; Avian Medicine (Samour) — ISBN 9780723438328, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780723438328
· 63. Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.250 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic 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.
· Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO, 2019:1191-1211. - Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles): 'Xylazine | 0.1-1.25 mg/kg IM, IV63 | Most species'. Block header, printed: infrequently used, variable effects, potentially reversible with yohimbine, preanesthetic for ketamine. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location.
· Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.250 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530
· Edson MC. Anesthesia and surgery of miniature pigs. Presented at: Atlantic Coast Vet Conference (ACVC); 2016. PMID: 40415082; Chigerwe M. Common anesthesia techniques and medication used for management of diseases in companion pigs. Presented at: Pacific Veterinary Conference; 2016. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1350 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1319, Xylazine monograph spanning p.1319-1323; 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
· Hartsfield S. Preanesthetic drugs in small animal anesthesia. Presented at: ACVC; 2007. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1348 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1321, Xylazine monograph spanning p.1319-1323; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207
· Mitchell MA, Tully Jr. TN, eds. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2009. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-0119-5.x5001-x — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.788 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). 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
· Mitchell MA, Tully Jr.T.N, eds. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice, Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2009. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.788 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). 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
· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.942 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350 [w3r2 2026-08-14] LOCATOR: Carpenter 6th ed, Table 11.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Ferrets). Held copy is a paginationless ebook conversion, so the table and not the page is the citable location. Superscript 88 resolves to Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al, Formulary, in Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, et al eds, Ferrets Rabbits and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery 4th ed, Elsevier, St. Louis MO, 2021:620-630.
· Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs 5th ed, Xylazine Hydrochloride, Large Animal Dosage > Goats, printed p.852 (corpus 880) — EDITION CORRECTED 2026-08-07: this citation named the 5th edition, which is not held. The page locator resolves in the 4th ed (2016), the copy actually consulted, and that page names the drug; the reference is to the 4th. — SOURCE EDITION: Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855
· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Xylazine monograph, Dosages, SHEEP and GOATS block, printed p.1322-1323 (corpus PDF p.1349-1350). [CORRECTED - the clause claiming the figure was located at printed p.1321 is false. Printed p.1321 carries only DOGS, CATS and HORSES. The ovine figures printed at p.1323 are 0.1-0.4 mg/kg IV, which is NOT the served figure.] The served 0.05-0.1 mg/kg IM for sheep is printed in NEITHER held book - papich printed p.852 gives Sheep IM 0.1-0.3 and Sheep IV 0.05-0.1.
· Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.323. — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.323' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.309; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.309. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712
· Snyder J. Anesthesia and pain management: Minor surgeries. Presented at: Western Veterinary Conference; 2009.; Edmondson MA. Anesthesia and common surgical procedures in small ruminants. Presented at: Southwest Veterinary Symposium (SWVS); 2016. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1350 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1319, Xylazine monograph spanning p.1319-1323; 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; Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia — ISBN 9780813811833, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780813811833
· Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1349 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1319, Xylazine monograph spanning p.1319-1323; 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
· Vesal N, Zare P. Clinical evaluation of intranasal benzodiazepines, alpha-agonists and their antagonists in canaries. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2006;33:143-148. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.456 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic/Sedative/Analgesic Agents Used in Birds.a,b). 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
· Walz P. Practical management of pain in cattle. Presented at: ABVP; 2006. PMID: 42126006 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1349 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1319, Xylazine monograph spanning p.1319-1323; 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