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Choose the species
One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
Choose one species for its overview and dose calculator, or all species to browse the full evidence.
Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Analgesia/premedication — infrequently used now: short duration + more adverse effects than other injectable opiates
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Analgesia/premedication — infrequently used now: short duration + more adverse effects than other injectable opiates — Extra-label (C-II)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Analgesia/premedication — infrequently used now: short duration + more adverse effects than other injectable opiates — Extra-label (C-II)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens2
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects5
Respiratory depression, CNS depression — Class risks
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Histamine release: hypotension, bronchoconstriction (esp. IV) — The signature
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Mydriasis (dogs), salivation (cats), nausea/vomiting, ↓peristalsis — Common
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
CNS excitement/hyperreflexia/seizures >20 mg/kg — Overdose threshold
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Physical dependence — Chronic use
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Monitoring1
Analgesia duration (short!) vs re-dosing burden; BP with IV use; CNS signs (cats)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Hypersensitivity; toxin-diarrhea; extreme caution: respiratory disease (histamine + respiratory depression)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Hypothyroidism, renal insufficiency, Addison's, geriatric/debilitated, head trauma/↑ICP, acute abdomen
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Why meperidine faded: 30–60 minute analgesia requiring q1–2h redosing + IV histamine surges — morphine/hydromorphone/oxymorphone outclass it in every practical dimension.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Cat seizure threshold (>20 mg/kg) + nor-mepei toxic-metabolite accumulation = the two toxicity stories to know.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Naloxone reverses but wears off first — repeat reversal + mechanical support in serious overdoses.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions3
MAOIs/SSRIs (human serotonin syndrome — meperidine is the classic trigger) — Contraindicated in humans; veterinary selegiline caution
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Other CNS depressants — Additive
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Naloxone — Reversal (repeat dosing — naloxone shorter than meperidine at toxic doses)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Mechanism — Mu-agonist — short-acting, histamine release (bronchoconstriction/hypotension, especially IV)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Route issues — SC irritating; IV = histamine surge risk
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Nor-meperidine (neuroactive metabolite — accumulates with repeated dosing, seizure risk in renal failure — human lesson)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Opiate class caution.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 784–786 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references20
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Anaesthesia for castration of 2 - 8 day old piglets using dexmedetomidine--alfaxalone with or without butorphanol or pethidine.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Effects of pharmacopuncture with metamizole on postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Molecular characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility of human Brucella in Northeast China.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Bromelain does not provide significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits over placebo in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block in dogs undergoing ovariectomy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.