VETINUITY
Can Simbadol be used in dogs?
No. The 1.8 mg/mL high-concentration product is labeled for cats only. Dogs receive the standard 0.3 mg/mL product at 0.01-0.02 mg/kg.
● ANSWER
Sourced & dated
What is the buprenorphine dose for dogs and cats?
Buprenorphine is dosed at 0.01-0.02 mg/kg IV or IM every 6-8 hours in dogs and 0.01-0.03 mg/kg IV, IM or oral transmucosal every 6-8 hours in cats, with the 1.8 mg/mL Simbadol formulation at 0.24 mg/kg SC once daily in cats only.
● VETINUITY BUPRENORPHINE DOSE CALCULATOR
Vetinuity buprenorphine dose calculator
Standard 0.3 mg/mL buprenorphine unless a row names Simbadol (1.8 mg/mL, cats only).
● WHAT'S DOCUMENTED
Vetinuity’s buprenorphine dose table: dogs receive 0.01-0.02 mg/kg IV or IM every 6 to 8 hours, cats receive 0.01-0.03 mg/kg IV, IM or by the oral transmucosal route every 6 to 8 hours, and cats can instead get the high-concentration Simbadol product at 0.24 mg/kg SC once a day for up to 3 days. The Vetinuity buprenorphine dose calculator above converts each line into milligrams and millilitres for the patient’s weight.
Dose table
| Indication | Dog | Cat | Route and frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild to moderate pain, standard 0.3 mg/mL | 0.01-0.02 mg/kg | 0.01-0.03 mg/kg | IV or IM q6-8h; cats also OTM |
| Postoperative pain, Simbadol 1.8 mg/mL | Not labeled | 0.24 mg/kg | SC q24h, up to 3 days |
| Premedication with acepromazine or dexmedetomidine | 0.01-0.02 mg/kg | 0.02 mg/kg | IM or IV |
Why cats get the oral transmucosal route
In cats, buprenorphine squirted into the cheek pouch is absorbed well enough to give analgesia comparable to injection, which is why it is the standard take-home opioid after feline surgery. Robertson and colleagues modeled the IV and oral transmucosal routes in cats and found useful antinociception from both. Dogs absorb it less reliably by that route, so a dog going home on an opioid needs a different plan.
Onset, ceiling and reversal
Buprenorphine is a partial mu agonist with a slow onset (allow 30 to 45 minutes after IM dosing) and a long duration. Its analgesia plateaus, so raising the dose past the range above adds little. It is a poor choice for severe pain such as a GDV, fractures or pancreatitis flares; reach for methadone or hydromorphone there. Naloxone reverses it only partly because of its tight receptor binding.
Cautions
Simbadol at 1.8 mg/mL is six times the standard concentration, so a mix-up between vials is the main dosing error to guard against. Respiratory depression is uncommon at these doses. Cats may become euphoric, with purring, rolling and mydriasis. Buprenorphine is a Schedule III controlled substance in the US.
Vetinuity, the clinical assistant that Brian Toncray, DVM, an emergency veterinarian, built for practicing vets, keeps this table beside the blocked cat page, where buprenorphine is a common analgesic once the cat is stable, and the pancreatitis page, where it suits only the milder cases. Compare the other opioids: butorphanol, methadone, hydromorphone.
● SOURCES
- 1. DailyMed: Simbadol (buprenorphine injection) label search. Dosage and Administration. Checked 2026-10-26.
- 2. Robertson SA, Lascelles BD, Taylor PM, et al. PK-PD modeling of buprenorphine in cats: intravenous and oral transmucosal administration. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2005;28(5):453-460. PMID 16207308. Abstract. Checked 2026-10-26.
- 3. Clark TP. The history and pharmacology of buprenorphine: New advances in cats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2022;45 Suppl 1:S1-S30. PMID 35790013. Review. Checked 2026-10-26.
● RELATED ANSWERS
- Methadone Dose for Dogs and Cats
Methadone is dosed at 0.2-0.5 mg/kg IV, IM or SC every 4-6 hours in dogs and 0.2-0.3 mg/kg IV or IM every 4-6 hours in cats, and rarely causes vomiting.
- Hydromorphone Dose for Dogs and Cats
Hydromorphone is dosed at 0.05-0.1 mg/kg IV, IM or SC every 4-6 hours in dogs and 0.025-0.05 mg/kg IV or IM every 4-6 hours in cats, or as a 0.01-0.03 mg/kg/h CRI in dogs.
- Butorphanol Dose for Dogs and Cats (Torbugesic)
Butorphanol is dosed at 0.2-0.4 mg/kg IV, IM or SC in dogs and cats for sedation and mild pain, lasting about 1-2 hours, and at 0.05-0.1 mg/kg SC as an antitussive in dogs.
- Blocked Cat Hyperkalemia: Emergency Treatment
Vetinuity's blocked-cat table: calcium gluconate 10% at 50-100 mg/kg IV over 10-20 min protects the heart, then regular insulin 0.5 U/kg with dextrose moves potassium into cells.
- Canine Acute Pancreatitis: Management
Canine acute pancreatitis care centers on fluid support, analgesia, antiemetics and nutrition, with treatment adjusted to severity and complications.
● FAQ
Why does oral transmucosal buprenorphine work in cats but not reliably in dogs?
The cat's mouth is close to the drug's pKa, so a large share is absorbed across the oral mucosa. In dogs, oral transmucosal uptake is lower and less predictable.
Can a full mu agonist be given after buprenorphine?
Yes, but buprenorphine binds the mu receptor tightly, so the full agonist may need a higher dose or a longer wait to take effect.
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