Table 1 Details of opioid drugs in common use in dogs and cats
Drug | Analgesic efficacy | Dose and route | Duration of action | Major drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Morphine | Excellent | 0.1-0.2 mg/kg IM | Up to 4 hours | May cause vomiting |
Pethidine | Good | 3-5 mg/kg IM | Up to 2 hours | Histamine release if administered IV |
Buprenorphine | Moderate - good | 10-20 μg/kg IM | Up to 6 hours | May prevent action of morphine |
Butorphanol | Poor | 0.2-0.4 mg/kg IM | Up to 1.5 hours | Weak analgesic |