ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/isoflurane
Isoflurane
IsoFlo, Forane
Drug Class
Routes
Indications
Mechanism of Action
Enhances inhibitory GABA-A receptors and blocks excitatory NMDA receptors, producing dose-dependent general anesthesia.
Side effects & warnings
Most commonly used inhalant anesthetic in veterinary medicine. Dose-dependent hypotension. Minimal hepatic metabolism. Use with precision vaporizer only. Suitable for all species including exotics.
Species with Isoflurane dosing data (5 dose rules)
Evidence levels across 5 dose rules
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Backed by 2 published primary sources
- · Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
- · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Sample dosing (2 of 5 cited rules)
Free-tier preview — dog and cat dosing. Pro and Student unlock all 5 species including reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | INHALATION | 1.5–2.5 % (MAC 1.3%) | Continuous | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| Cat (Domestic) | INHALATION | 1.5–2.5 % (MAC 1.6%) | Continuous | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
Upgrade for Full Details
Upgrade to Pro or Student to access full drug details including mechanism of action, warnings, dose ranges, and frequency.
View PlansArticles mentioning Isoflurane
- Guinea Pig Drug Dosing: A Vet Quick ReferenceAntibiotic, analgesic, and antifungal dosing for Cavia porcellus — and why they're not just small rabbits.
- African Grey Parrot Drug Dosing: A Vet ReferenceAntibiotic, antifungal, and supportive-care dosing for Psittacus erithacus — and the avian-specific physiology that should change your prescribing.
- Rabbit Drug Dosing: A Vet's Quick ReferenceAntibiotic, analgesic, and antiparasitic dosing for domestic rabbits — and the oral antibiotics you must never reach for.
- Reptile Sedation: Why Temperature Is The Variable, Not The DrugMost failed reptile inductions, prolonged recoveries, and 'the snake just isn't going under' episodes trace back to one cause: the patient is too cold for the drug to do what it does in a mammal. Practical sedation protocols built around POTZ as the master variable.
More Anesthetic drugs
Source citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.