# Sevoflurane: veterinary dose and monograph

> Sevoflurane is a veterinary sedative or anaesthetic agent. A volatile halogenated-ether inhalational anaesthetic similar to isoflurane but with a LOWER blood–gas solubility — giving FASTER induction and recovery and more rapid control of anaesthetic depth — and a less pungent, non-irritant odour… Indications include maintenance of general anaesthesia (all common species); smooth MASK/CHAMBER INDUCTION (cats, small mammals, exotics, fractious patients); anaesthesia where rapid depth changes / fast recovery are advantageous (e.g. brachycephalics, sick patients). This monograph lists 10 reference doses for dogs, cats, cattle, horses, sheep and pigs and 4 more species, each with route, frequency and source, plus meat and milk withdrawal periods for food animals.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/sevoflurane · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Sedative / anaesthetic
- **Also known as:** SevoFlo, Sevorane, Sojourn
- **Species with doses:** Dogs, Cats, Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs, Birds, Rabbits, Reptiles and Small mammals
- **Routes:** Inhaled
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Maintenance of general anaesthesia (all common species)
- Smooth MASK/CHAMBER INDUCTION (cats, small mammals, exotics, fractious patients)
- Anaesthesia where rapid depth changes / fast recovery are advantageous (e.g. brachycephalics, sick patients)

## Sevoflurane dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

### Dogs

*Sevoflurane doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Induction / maintenance (MAC ≈ 2.1–2.4 %) | Mask induction up to 7–8%; maintenance about 3.3–4% (3–6% range) in oxygen, to effect | Inhaled | continuous | — |

- Induction / maintenance (MAC ≈ 2.1–2.4 %): Plumb’s p.1059 (SevoFlo label): mask induction up to 7% (surgical plane in 3–14 min); maintenance 3.7–4% without premedication, 3.3–3.6% with premedication. Papich 5e: induction 8%, maintenance 3–6%. Replace desiccated CO2 absorbent.

### Cats

*Sevoflurane doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Mask induction / maintenance (MAC ≈ 2.6 %) | Mask induction starting ~4–4.5% (up to 8% for chambers); maintenance about 3%, to effect | Inhaled | continuous | — |

- Mask induction / maintenance (MAC ≈ 2.6 %): Plumb’s p.1059: MAC 2.58%; mask induction via a non-rebreathing system starting at 4–4.5%, reduce as soon as consciousness is lost; circle-system maintenance ~3% (Clarke 2008). Papich 5e: induction 8%, maintenance 3–6%.

### Cattle

*Sevoflurane doses for cattle*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maintenance | Titrate to effect — no cattle MAC or setting in Papich 5e or Plumb’s 10e (sheep MAC 3.3%) | Inhaled | continuous | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- Maintenance: Intubate and support ventilation in recumbent ruminants; add local blocks/NSAIDs for analgesia.

### Horses

*Sevoflurane doses for horses*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maintenance (MAC ≈ 2.3 %) | Maintenance to effect around MAC 2.31% in oxygen | Inhaled | continuous | — |

- Maintenance (MAC ≈ 2.3 %): Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.1059: MAC 2.31% in horses. Sedate for recovery.

### Sheep

*Sevoflurane doses for sheep*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maintenance (MAC ≈ 3.3 %) | Maintenance to effect around MAC 3.3% in oxygen | Inhaled | continuous | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- Maintenance (MAC ≈ 3.3 %): Plumb’s p.1059: sheep MAC 3.3%. Plumb’s 10e p.1159 (sheep/goats, extra-label): small-animal circuits can be used; maintenance vaporiser setting 2.5–4%, oxygen 2–4 L/min during induction then 0.5–1 L/min during maintenance. Intubate (regurgitation risk).

### Pigs

*Sevoflurane doses for pigs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maintenance (MAC ≈ 2–2.7 %) | Maintenance to effect around MAC 1.97–2.66% in oxygen | Inhaled | continuous | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- Maintenance (MAC ≈ 2–2.7 %): Plumb’s p.1059: swine MAC 1.97–2.66%. Volatile agents can trigger malignant hyperthermia in susceptible pigs.

### Buffalo

No buffalo-specific doses are on file, so buffalo are dosed as cattle.

*Sevoflurane doses for buffalo*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maintenance | Titrate to effect — no cattle MAC or setting in Papich 5e or Plumb’s 10e (sheep MAC 3.3%) | Inhaled | continuous | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- Maintenance: Intubate and support ventilation in recumbent ruminants; add local blocks/NSAIDs for analgesia.

### Birds

*Sevoflurane doses for birds*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maintenance | Induction 5–8% by mask (non-rebreathing/Bain system); maintenance 1–4% to effect by mask or endotracheal tube | Inhaled | continuous | — |

- Maintenance: Plumb’s 10e p.1159 (extra-label): induction 5–8% sevoflurane via mask on a non-rebreathing (Bain) system; maintenance 1–4% to effect via mask or endotracheal tube; approximate MAC ≈3% in pigeons. Birds should always be intubated during general anaesthesia. Monitor ventilation closely.

### Rabbits

*Sevoflurane doses for rabbits*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Mask/chamber induction & maintenance | Titrate to effect — no rabbit percentages in Papich 5e or Plumb’s 10e | Inhaled | continuous | — |

- Mask/chamber induction & maintenance: Plumb’s 10e p.1158 gives small-mammal sevoflurane percentages for hedgehogs only (induction 4–6%, maintenance 0.5–3%) — not for rabbits. Less pungent than isoflurane for mask induction; oxygenate and monitor for apnoea.

### Reptiles

*Sevoflurane doses for reptiles*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maintenance | Titrate to effect — no reptile percentages in Papich 5e or Plumb’s 10e (amphibian data only) | Inhaled | continuous | — |

- Maintenance: Breath-holding slows uptake — intubate and assist ventilation.

### Small mammals

*Sevoflurane doses for small mammals*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Mask/chamber induction & maintenance | Titrate to effect — Plumb’s 10e gives hedgehog figures only (induction 4–6%, maintenance 0.5–3%) | Inhaled | continuous | — |

- Mask/chamber induction & maintenance: Plumb’s 10e p.1158 (extra-label): the only small-mammal sevoflurane data are in hedgehogs — induction 4–6% by chamber or facemask, maintenance 0.5–3% by facemask. No rabbit or rodent percentages are given. Rapid, non-irritant induction; prevent hypothermia.

## Contraindications

Malignant-hyperthermia-susceptible patients (especially pigs — volatile-agent trigger). Severe hypovolaemia/shock without resuscitation (vasodilation/hypotension). Always requires airway control, oxygen and monitoring. Known hypersensitivity. (A theoretical concern with very low fresh-gas flows is "compound A" formation with desiccated CO2 absorbent — keep absorbent fresh.)

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Pigs: Volatile-agent trigger for malignant hyperthermia in susceptible pigs — have dantrolene and cooling ready; monitor temperature/capnography.

## Adverse effects

- Dose-dependent hypotension (vasodilation) and respiratory depression
- Reduced cardiac output
- Hypothermia during prolonged anaesthesia
- Excitement/rough recovery in horses without sedation (less than with isoflurane)
- Occupational waste-gas exposure (scavenge)

## Drug interactions

- Premedicants/opioids/alpha-2 agonists/benzodiazepines: MAC-sparing — lower the vaporiser setting
- Other vasodilators/myocardial depressants: additive hypotension
- Catecholamines: less myocardial sensitisation than older agents (caution remains)
- Desiccated CO2 absorbent at very low flows: degradation to compound A (keep absorbent fresh)

## Pregnancy and lactation

Crosses the placenta and depresses the neonate at caesarean — its fast elimination is an advantage; minimise depth/time and resuscitate neonates. Minimise occupational exposure.

## Monitoring

- Anaesthetic depth (reflexes, eye position, jaw tone) — changes fast, so watch closely
- Blood pressure (hypotension) and heart rate/rhythm (ECG)
- Capnography and SpO2; ventilation support as needed
- Temperature (active warming); waste-gas scavenging

## Toxicity and overdose

Overdose (excessive inspired concentration) causes profound hypotension and cardiorespiratory depression; because uptake/elimination are even faster than isoflurane, depth is rapidly corrected by reducing the vaporiser and ventilating with oxygen — a major safety feature. Malignant hyperthermia (a hypermetabolic trigger) is the rare catastrophic toxicity.

Management: Turn the vaporiser OFF, ventilate with 100 % oxygen to wash out the agent (rapid due to low solubility), and support circulation (IV fluids, vasopressors/inotropes) and ventilation. Treat arrhythmia per ALS. For suspected malignant hyperthermia: dantrolene, active cooling, supportive care.

## Clinical pearls

- Faster induction/recovery and tighter depth control than isoflurane (lower solubility), and non-pungent — ideal for MASK/chamber induction of cats, exotics and fractious patients
- Dose by % / MAC and titrate; like isoflurane it gives little analgesia, so use opioids/local blocks to run a lower (safer) setting
- Smoother, quicker equine recoveries than isoflurane — still sedate for recovery
- Use the agent-specific vaporiser and keep CO2 absorbent fresh (compound-A concern at very low flows); scavenge for staff safety
- More expensive than isoflurane — reserve its advantages (speed, mask induction) where they matter

## Mechanism of action

Like other volatile anaesthetics, it produces reversible unconsciousness by potentiating inhibitory ion channels (GABA-A, glycine) and inhibiting excitatory transmission throughout the CNS, depressing the reticular activating system. Its LOW blood–gas partition coefficient means alveolar (and thus brain) concentration equilibrates quickly with the vaporiser setting — the basis of its fast induction/recovery and precise, rapid depth control. Potency is described by MAC.

## Formulations and products

- Volatile liquid for vaporiser (250 mL bottle)
- SevoFlo (Zoetis) — 100 % volatile liquid (250 mL), Inhalant (vaporiser)
- Sevorane / Sojourn (AbbVie / Piramal) — Sevoflurane volatile liquid (250 mL), Inhalant (vaporiser)

## Storage

Volatile liquid: 15–30 °C, keep tightly capped and upright, away from heat/flame. Use only in an agent-specific (sevoflurane) vaporiser; scavenge waste gas; keep CO2 absorbent fresh.

## Before you use this dose

> **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

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## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Sevoflurane for dogs?

Reference doses for Sevoflurane in dogs: Mask induction up to 7–8%; maintenance about 3.3–4% (3–6% range) in oxygen, to effect Inhaled continuous (Induction / maintenance (MAC ≈ 2.1–2.4 %)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Sevoflurane for cats?

Reference doses for Sevoflurane in cats: Mask induction starting ~4–4.5% (up to 8% for chambers); maintenance about 3%, to effect Inhaled continuous (Mask induction / maintenance (MAC ≈ 2.6 %)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Sevoflurane for cattle?

Reference doses for Sevoflurane in cattle: Titrate to effect — no cattle MAC or setting in Papich 5e or Plumb’s 10e (sheep MAC 3.3%) Inhaled continuous (Maintenance). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the withdrawal period for Sevoflurane?

Cattle, Inhaled (Maintenance): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Sheep, Inhaled (Maintenance (MAC ≈ 3.3 %)): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Pigs, Inhaled (Maintenance (MAC ≈ 2–2.7 %)): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label. Follow the product label and national regulations where they differ.

### When should Sevoflurane not be used?

Malignant-hyperthermia-susceptible patients (especially pigs — volatile-agent trigger). Severe hypovolaemia/shock without resuscitation (vasodilation/hypotension). Always requires airway control, oxygen and monitoring. Known hypersensitivity. (A theoretical concern with very low fresh-gas flows is "compound A" formation with desiccated CO2 absorbent — keep absorbent fresh.)

### What are the side effects of Sevoflurane in animals?

Dose-dependent hypotension (vasodilation) and respiratory depression; Reduced cardiac output; Hypothermia during prolonged anaesthesia; Excitement/rough recovery in horses without sedation (less than with isoflurane); Occupational waste-gas exposure (scavenge).

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

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VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.