754 APPENDIX B DRUG FORMULARY
Drug name (trade orother names)
Pharmacology andindications
Adverse effects andprecautions
Dosing information andcomments
Formulations
Dosage (unlessotherwise indicated,dose is the same fordogs and cat)
Bupivacainehydrochloride(Marcaine andgenerics)
Local anesthetic. Inhibitsnerve conduction viasodium channel blockade.Longer acting and morepotent than lidocaine orother local anesthetics.
Adverse effects rare withlocal infiltration. Highdoses absorbedsystemically can causenervous system signs(tremors and convulsions).After epiduraladministration, respiratoryparalysis is possible withhigh doses.
Used for local infiltrationor infusion into epiduralspace. One may admix0.1 mEq sodiumbicarbonate per 10 mLsolution to increase pH,decrease pain frominjection, and increaseonset. Use immediatelyafter mixing withbicarbonate.
2.5 and 5 mg/mLsolution injection.
1 mL of 0.5% solution per10 cm for an epidural.
Buprenorphinehydrochloride(Buprenex [Vetergesicin the UK])
Opioid analgesic. Partial(μ
-receptor agonist,
κ-receptor antagonist.25–50
×
more potent than
morphine. Buprenorphinemay cause less respiratorydepression than otheropiates.
Adverse effects are similarto other opiate agonists,except there may be lessrespiratory depression.Dependency from chronicuse may be less than withpure agonists.
Used for analgesia, oftenin combination with otheranalgesics or inconjunction with generalanesthesia. Longer actingthan morphine. Onlypartially reversed bynaloxone.
0.3 mg/mL solution
Dog: 0.006–0.02 mg/kgIV, IM, SC q4–8h.Cat: 0.005–0.01 mg/kg IV,IM, q4–8h. Buccaladministration in cat:0.01–0.02 mg/kg q12h.
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Antianxiety agent. Acts bybinding to serotoninreceptors. In veterinarymedicine, has beenprimarily used fortreatment of urinespraying in cats.
Some cats show increasedaggression; some catsshow increased affectionto owners.
Some efficacy trialssuggest effectiveness fortreating urine spraying incats. There may be alower relapse ratecompared to other drugs.
5, 10 mg tablets.
Dog: 2.5–10 mg/dogq12–24h po or 1 mg/kgq12h po.Cat: 2.5–5 mg/cat q24hpo (may be increased to5–7.5 mg per cat twicedaily for some cat).
