Detomidine for Animals

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Detomidine

Detomidine is used in veterinary medicine for sedation.

Group

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist

Mechanism of Action

Reduces central sympathetic neurotransmission to produce sedation and analgesia.

Dose Rates

Dog

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Sedation5 mcg/kgIVDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise
Sedation10–20 mcg/kgIMDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise
SedationReference onlyOTMDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise; Gel: 0.5 mg/m² for mild sedation, 1 mg/m² for greater sedation, or 2–4 mg/m² for profound sedation; apply to upper gingiva. BSA calculation required. Reversal: atipamezole 0.1 mg/kg IM.

Cat

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Sedation with ketamineReference onlyOTMDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise; Injectable detomidine 0.5 mg/kg plus ketamine 10 mg/kg sprayed into the mouth. Combination protocol.
SedationReference onlyOTMDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise; Gel 2–4 mg/m²; vomiting is common. BSA calculation required. Reversal: atipamezole 0.1 mg/kg IM.

Horse

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Sedation20–40 mcg/kgIV, IMDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise
Sedation — Initial10–20 mcg/kgIV, IMDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise; Lower initial regimen; repeat according to effect. Doses as low as 5 mcg/kg have been used in draft horses.
Analgesia20 mcg/kgIV, IMDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise; A 40 mcg/kg dose may prolong analgesia.
Sedation40 mcg/kgOTMDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise; Sublingual gel.
Sedation infusionReference onlyIVDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise; 10 mcg/kg IV loading bolus, then 0.5 mcg/kg/min for 15 minutes; progressively reduce toward 0.1 mcg/kg/min according to effect.
Analgesia30–40 mcg/kgIV
Caudal epidural analgesia0.06 mg/kgEPIDURALInjection at S4–S5; reported analgesia 2–3 hours.
Combined epidural analgesiaReference onlyEPIDURALDetomidine 0.03 mg/kg plus morphine 0.2 mg/kg; the source prints an anatomically inconsistent S1–L6 injection site, which must be resolved before procedural use. Reported duration exceeds 6 hours.
Sedation0.06 mg/kgPOAlternative when injection is impractical; onset may take approximately 45 minutes.
Standing restraint infusion alternativesReference onlyIVAlternative A: load 7.5 mcg/kg, infuse 0.6 mcg/kg/min for 15 minutes, then halve the rate every 15 minutes. Alternative B: load 8.4 mcg/kg, then 0.5 mcg/kg/min for 15 minutes, 0.3 for 15 minutes, and 0.15 thereafter. Additional local analgesia or butorphanol may be needed.

Cattle

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
SedationReference onlyIVDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise; The source gives 2–10 mcg/kg but an inconsistent parenthetical conversion of 0.002–0.1 mg/kg. Resolve the endpoint before calculation.
Sedation5–40 mcg/kgIMDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise
Calf sedation30 mcg/kgIVDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise; Calves.
Calf sedation80 mcg/kgOTMDo not use in: Shock or severe cardiovascular compromise; Calves; equine oral mucosal gel.
Sedation30–60 mcg/kgIV, IM
Analgesia10 mcg/kgIVReported duration approximately 30 minutes.

Sheep

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Anesthesia with propofolReference onlyIMDetomidine 0.01 mg/kg IM followed by propofol 3–5 mg/kg IV.
AnalgesiaReference onlyIV, IMThe source gives 0.005–0.05 mg/kg IV or IM but combines “every 3–6 hours” with “once”; the repeat schedule is contradictory.

Goat

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Anesthesia with propofolReference onlyIMDetomidine 0.01 mg/kg IM followed by propofol 3–5 mg/kg IV.
AnalgesiaReference onlyIV, IMThe source gives 0.005–0.05 mg/kg IV or IM but combines “every 3–6 hours” with “once”; the repeat schedule is contradictory.

Llama

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
AnalgesiaReference onlyIV, IMThe source gives 0.005–0.05 mg/kg IV or IM but combines “every 3–6 hours” with “once”; the repeat schedule is contradictory.

Alpaca

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
AnalgesiaReference onlyIV, IMThe source gives 0.005–0.05 mg/kg IV or IM but combines “every 3–6 hours” with “once”; the repeat schedule is contradictory.

Bird

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Sedation and analgesia0.3 mg/kgIMLimited information on duration and adverse effects.

Indications

  • Sedation
  • Analgesia
  • Anesthetic adjunct

Contraindications

  • Use cautiously with cardiac disease, bradycardia, hypotension or pregnancy.

Interactions

  • IV sulfonamides may trigger arrhythmias.
  • Other sedatives, opioids and anesthetics enhance depression.

Adverse effects

  • Bradycardia, AV block and variable blood pressure
  • Ataxia, sweating, diuresis
  • Vomiting, especially in cats

Preparations

PreparationFormStrengthRoute
Detomidine injection 10 mg/mLInjection10 mg / mLIV, IM
Detomidine oral mucosal gel 7.6 mg/mLOral Gel7.6 mg / mLOTM

Monitoring and Administration

Monitor ECG, heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. Routine atropine treatment of alpha-2-associated bradycardia is not indicated.

Apply oral gel to the mucosa; onset is slower than injection. Atipamezole can reverse effects in small animals.

Intravaginal equine gel administration has been studied at 40 mcg/kg; this route is not supported by the app.

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