Recommended Amphibian Analgesic & Anesthetic Agents
DRUG
DOSE
ROUTE
COMMENTS
Analgesia
Buprenorphine
Butorphanol
Xylazine
38 – 75 mg/kg
0.2 – 0.4 mg/kg
10 mg/kg
SQ
IM
IC
Sedatives & Anesthetics
Clove Oil (Xenopus)
Ketamine2
Ketamine
+
Diazepam4
Isoflurane1
Propofo
Salamanders/Frogs
350 mg/L
Bath
50 – 150 mg/kg
20 – 40 mg/kg
+
0.2 - 0.4 mg/kg
3 – 5% induction
1 – 2% maintain
0.28 ml/10 ml
3.0 ml
+
3.5 ml KY jelly
+
1.5 ml water
9.5 mg/kg
SQ, IM
30 mg/kg
IM
Bath
Terrestrial species
In anesthetic chamber
Aquatic species
Topical
Remove excess once anesthetized
IC
Sedation
Anesthesia
NOT SAFE FOR XENOPUS
For Tadpoles & Newts
0.02 - .0.05% solution to effect; buffer with NaHCO3 or Na2HPO4; adjust pH to
7.0 – 7.4; use well-oxygenated,
toxin-free water.
For Frogs, Salamanders
0.05 – 0.2% solution to effect; buffer with NaHCO3 or Na2HPO4; adjust pH to
7.0 – 7.4; use well-oxygenated,
toxin-free water.
For Toads
0.1 – 0.3% solution to effect; buffer with NaHCO3 or Na2HPO4; adjust pH to 7.0
– 7.4; use well-oxygenated,
toxin-free water.
Inhalation
IC
200 – 500 mg/l
bath
Tricaine
Methanesulfonate3
(MS-222)
500 – 2000 mg/l
bath
1 – 3 g/l bath
1
Bath emersion for 15 minutes.
Short minimally invasive surgical procedures or restraint
Induction and recovery can be prolonged; variable response
Immersion
Survival procedures require the use of a precision vaporizer for isoflurane gas delivery.
C-III controlled drug
Sample preparation protocol: Mix 2 grams of MS-222 with 34 to 50 ml of 0.5M Na2HPO4 water. Adjust pH to 7.0 – 7.4. Dilute as required with welloxygenated, toxin-free water.
4
C-IV controlled drug
2
3