Doses - THIOPENTAL SODIUM

Note: Atropine sulfate or glycopyrrolate are often administered prior to thiobarbiturateanesthesia to prevent parasympathetic side effects. Some clinicians question, however, whetherroutine administration of the anticholinergic agents are necessary.
Thiobarbiturates are administered strictly to effect; doses are guidelines only.

Dogs:

a) 13.2 - 26.4 mg/kg IV depending on duration of anesthesia required. (Pentothal® package insert¯ Ceva Laboratories)
b) 15 - 17 mg/kg IV for brief (7-10 minutes) anesthesia; 18 - 22 mg/kg IV for moderate (10-15 minutes) duration; 22 - 29 mg/kg IV for longer (15-25 minutes) duration (Booth 1988a)
c) 22 mg/kg IV; or 15.4 mg/kg IV after tranquilization; or 11 mg/kg IV after narcotic premedication. (Mandsager 1988)

Cats:

a) 13.2 - 26.4 mg/kg IV depending on duration of anesthesia required. (Pentothal® package insert, Ceva Laboratories)
b) 22 mg/kg IV; or 15.4 mg/kg IV after tranquilization; or 11 mg/kg IV after narcotic premedication. (Mandsager 1988)

Cattle:

a) Cattle: 8.14 - 15.4 mg/kg IV;
For unweaned calves from which food has been withheld for 6-12 hours: no more than 6.6 mg/kg IV for deep surgical anesthesia. (Pentothal® package insert; Ceva
Laboratories)
b) For calves under 2 weeks of age: 15 - 22 mg/kg IV slowly until complete muscular relaxation takes place, duration of anesthesia usually lasts 10-12 minutes. (Booth 1988a)
c) 5.5 mg/kg IV after sedation and administration with guaifenesin; or 8.8-11 mg/kg IV after tranquilization. (Mandsager 1988)

Horses:

a) With preanesthetic tranquilization: 6 - 12 mg/kg IV (an average of 8.25 mg/kg is recommended); Without preanesthetic tranquilization: 8.8-15.4 mg/kg IV (an average horse: 9.9 - 11 mg/kg IV) (Pentothal® package insert; Ceva Laboratories)
b) One gram of thiopental per 90 kg body weight as a 10% solution given evenly over 20 seconds 15 minutes after premedication with either 0.22 mg/kg IV xylazine or 0.05 mg/kg IV acepromazine. (Booth 1988a)
c) 5.5 mg/kg IV after sedation and administration with guaifenesin; or 8.8 - 11 mg/kg IV after tranquilization. (Mandsager 1988)

Swine:

a) 5.5 - 11 mg/kg IV (Pentothal® package insert, Ceva Laboratories)
b) For swine weighing 5 - 50 kg: 10 - 11 mg/kg IV (Booth 1988a)
Sheep:a) 9.9 - 15 mg/kg IV depending on depth of anesthesia required (Pentothal® package insert, Ceva Laboratories)
Goats:a) 20 - 22 mg/kg IV after atropine (0.7 mg/kg) IM (Booth 1988a)
Monitoring Parameters -

1) Level of hypnosis/anesthesia

2) Respiratory status; cardiac status (rate/rhythm/blood pressure)
Client Information - This drug should only be used by professionals familiar with its effects in a setting where adequate respiratory support can be performed.
Dosage Forms/Preparations - Veterinary-Approved Products: None

Human-Approved Products:

Thiopental Sodium Powder for Injection: 2% (20 mg/ml) in 1, 2.5 & 5 g kits, 400 mg syringes;2.5% (25 mg/ml) in 250 & 500 mg vials and 500 mg, 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 g kits, 250 & 500 mg syringes; Pentothal® (Abbott/Ceva); Generic; (Rx) (C-III)
Preparation of Solution for Administration: The veterinary labeled product comes in a 5gram kit for dilution to 2.5% or 5%. If using other products without diluent, use only sterilewater for injection, normal saline, or D5W to dilute. A 5 gram vial diluted with 100 mls willyield a 5% solution and diluted with 200 ml will yield a 2.5% solution. Discard reconstitutedsolutions after 24 hours.
Also known as thiopentone sodium, thiopental is a Class-III controlled substance and is a legend(Rx) drug.