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Analgesic Drugs and Dosages

Dosages for several commonly used analgesic drugs in a variety of species are provided on this page.  The effectiveness of an analgesic drug will vary depending on species, strain, sex, age and other parameters. Please consult an ARP veterinarian for more information on what to expect when using analgesic drugs in animals.

Analgesics for Laboratory Animals

Dosage Rates for Analgesic Drugs in Laboratory Animals
Drug Name and Indications
Mouse
Rat
Rabbit
Bupivicaine-local anesthetic; injected or dripped onto incision site Maximum total dose of 4 mg/kg given once at the end of surgery Maximum total dose of 4 mg/kg given once at the end of surgery  
Buprenorphine-mild to moderate pain 0.1 mg/kg SQ q 3-12 hours 0.05 mg/kg SQ q 6-12 hours 0.01-0.05 mg/kg SQ, IM or IV q 6-12 hours
Butorphanol-mild to moderate pain; short duration of action 1.0-5.0 mg/kg SQ q 4 hours 2.0 mg/kg SQ q 4 hours 0.1-0.5 mg/kg IM or IV q 4 hours
Carprofen-mild to moderate pain; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug 5 mg/kg SQ q 24 hours 5 mg/kg SQ q 24 hours 4 mg/kg SQ or 1.5 mg/kg per os q 12-24 hours
Flunixin meglumine 2.5 mg/kg SQ q 12 hours 2.5 mg/kg SQ q 12 hours 1.1 mg/kg SQ q 12 hours
Ketoprofen-mild pain; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug 5 mg/kg SQ q 12-24 hours 5 mg/kg SQ q 12-24 hours 3 mg/kg SQ q 12-24 hours
Meloxicam-mild pain; nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drug   1-2 mg/kg SQ q 24 hours 0.2 mg/kg SQ q 24 hours
Morphine- moderate to severe pain; short duration of action 10 mg/kg SQ q 2-3 hours 10 mg/kg SQ q 2-3 hours 2-5 mg/kg SQ, q 2-4 hours

Analgesic effectiveness must be evaluated in each animal due to variations in response between individuals and strains. For more information or analgesic guidelines in other species please consult an ARP veterinarian.

Analgesics for Agricultural Research Animals

Dosage Rates for Analgesic Drugs in Agricultural Research Animals

**Note: Most of the drugs listed below have required meat and milk withdrawal times that must be observed if used in animals intended for human consumption.
Drug Name
Cattle
Sheep
Horses
Swine
Aspirin
480-960 grains per mature cow PO every 12 hours


Buprenorphine*
0.005-0.01 mg/kg IV or IM every 4 hours
0.005-0.02 mg/kg IV or IM every 6-12 hours
Butorphanol*
0.01 mg/kg IV or IM every 4-6 hours
0.01 mg/kg IV or IM every 4-6 hours
0.01 mg/kg IV or IM every 4 hours
Flunixin meglumine*
0.5 -1.1 mg/kg IV every 24 hours
1.1 mg/kg IV every 24 hours
1.1 mg/kg PO or IV every 12-24 hours
1.1 mg/kg IV or SQ every 24 hours
Ketoprofen

0.5 mg/kg IV every 24 hours

Phenylbutazone

2.2-4.4 mg/kg PO or IV every 12-24 hours
*These drugs have required meat and milk withdrawal times that must be observed if used in animals intended for human consumption.Analgesic effectiveness must be evaluated in each animal due to variations in response between individuals and strains. For more information or analgesic guidelines in other species please consult an ARP veterinarian.

Analgesics for Birds (Including Poultry) Used in Research

Dosage Rates for Analgesic Drugs in Birds

*Note: The drugs listed below are not approved for use in birds intended for human consumption.
Drug Name
Dosage
Route
Butorphanol 1-3 mg/kg IM every 4-6 hours
Carprofen 1 mg/kg SQ every 8-24 hours
Flunixin meglumine 1-10 mg/kg IM every 24 hours
Ketoprofen 1-2 mg/kg IM every 8-12 hours
Meloxicam 0.5 mg/kg IV or IM or PO every 24 hours
Analgesic effectiveness must be evaluated in each animal due to variations in response between individuals and strains. For more information or analgesic guidelines in other species please consult an ARP veterinarian.

 

The information and drug dosages presented in this website are intended as a resource for Pennsylvania State University research investigators. No guarantee of drug efficacy or safety is made nor must information obtained from this site be substituted for professional veterinary advice.