MDose · Veterinary drug reference
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One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
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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
Sedative/restraint, analgesia, preanesthetic
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Sedative/restraint, analgesia, preanesthetic — Extra-label
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Sedative/restraint, analgesia, preanesthetic — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens5
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 effects203
Sedation, panting, vocalization, vomiting, defecation — Common
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Nausea, ataxia, hyperesthesia, hyperthermia, behavioral change — Common
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Bradycardia — Vagally mediated
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting169 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')118 reports
- Death98 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS90 reports
- Anorexia87 reports
- Death by euthanasia86 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS84 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)76 reports
- Bradycardia70 reports
- Injection site swelling67 reports
- Tachycardia67 reports
- Decreased appetite66 reports
Cat
- Behavioural disorder NOS34 reports
- Hyperthermia31 reports
- Not eating29 reports
- Death25 reports
- Dysphoria24 reports
- Fever21 reports
- Hyperactivity19 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')19 reports
- Ataxia18 reports
- Death by euthanasia17 reports
- Dilated pupils15 reports
- Elevated creatinine14 reports
Monitoring2
Respiratory rate/depth, cardiac rate, CNS depression level, analgesic efficacy
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Cats: monitor body temperature — hyperthermia reported, can occur post-anesthesia
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Hypersensitivity; toxin-induced diarrhea (until toxin cleared); suspected GDV/obstruction pre-anesthetic use (may induce vomiting)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Head injury/↑ICP, acute abdomen (may mask signs), respiratory disease, pre-existing bradyarrhythmia; cats — monitor for hyperthermia, especially post-anesthesia
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Significantly cheaper than oxymorphone with similar efficacy — has largely replaced it in practice.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Cat hyperthermia can be treated with naloxone if it occurs (reduces body temp rapidly).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindicated as sole preanesthetic if GDV/obstruction suspected — vomiting risk.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions4
Butorphanol, nalbuphine — May antagonize hydromorphone's mu effects
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
MAO inhibitors (amitraz, selegiline) — Severe, unpredictable potentiation
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Phenothiazines — May antagonize analgesia, ↑ hypotension risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Tricyclic antidepressants — May exacerbate TCA effects
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics4
Potency — ~5x morphine; roughly equal to oxymorphone
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — 35–80 min (dog); short (~1–1.5h) despite 6–7.5h clinical duration (cat)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic glucuronidation
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — Renal (glucuronide metabolite)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Human FDA category C. Most opioids excreted in milk at low, likely clinically insignificant levels.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 621–624; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 382–384 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references13
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.
- Antinociceptive effects of subcutaneous hydromorphone in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Comparative Efficacy of Opioid-Free and Opioid-Sparing Anesthesia in Dogs Undergoing Dental Procedures: A Prospective Study of Perioperative Analgesia and Hemodynamic Stability.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Pharmacokinetics and effect of postoperative lidocaine infusions on pain and nausea scores in canine patients undergoing gastrointestinal foreign body surgery.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Thermal antinociceptive effects after intramuscular administration of high doses of hydromorphone in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Lizard anesthesia-a retrospective study of anesthetic protocol and monitoring quality of anesthetic episodes at a veterinary hospital over 23 years (2000-2023).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; 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.