Buprenorphine (Buprenex) for Pets in 2025: Vet Guide to Pain Relief for Cats & Dogs 🐶🐱💉

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc
Updated July 2025

💡 Buprenorphine—a partial μ‑opioid agonist—is an essential analgesic in veterinary medicine, offering mild to moderate pain relief through injectable, oral, and long-acting topical formats. In 2025, this medication remains a vital tool for managing discomfort following dental work, surgery, trauma, and chronic conditions.

🔍 Understanding Buprenorphine

• Belongs to the opioid family; binds partially to μ receptors to relieve pain with a lower risk profile vs. full opioids.
• Provides analgesia for mild–moderate pain—e.g. dental extraction, post-op recovery, and chronic conditions.
• Formulations include injectable (hospital use), oral spray/liquid, topical long-acting (Zorbium), and 24‑hour injectable (Simbadol).
• It's a controlled substance; proper veterinary authorization and record-keeping are required.

📦 Buprenorphine Forms & Applications

1. Injectable (Buprenex, Carpuject)

• Used in clinic for acute pain—post-surgery, trauma, or pre-anesthesia.
• Requires handling and monitoring by veterinary staff.

2. Transmucosal Oral Form (Spray or Liquid)

• Ideal for at-home use—small amount applied to cat’s cheek pouch absorbed through oral mucosa.
• Effective for cats, less efficient in dogs (~50% absorption).
• Typically dosed 2–3 times daily; larger doses last longer.

3. Long-acting Top Spot (Zorbium® for Cats)

• Single topical application in clinic yields 4 days of pain control—convenient for outdoor or fractious cats.
• Useful for post-procedure pain without daily doses.

4. Extended-Release Injectable (Simbadol® for Cats)

• 24-hour duration from a single subcutaneous injection, administered in clinic.
• Suitable for post-op pain and short-term management.

🩺 Clinical Uses in 2025

• Postoperative relief (dental, orthopedic, soft tissue).
• Trauma cases—fracture, wounds.
• Oral or tooth extractions.
• Chronic pain adjunct—e.g. osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain.
• Pre-discharge pain control—safer than NSAIDs for gastrointestinal or renal-compromised pets.

⚠️ Monitoring & Side Effects

• Drowsiness is common—monitor pets during use.
• May cause hypothermia—keep pets warm.
• Possible bradycardia and blood pressure drop.
• Respiratory depression is rare but possible—avoid in pets with respiratory or cardiac compromise.
• Liver disease prolongs effects—dose adjustments may be necessary.
• Naloxone can reverse buprenorphine effects if needed.

📌 Drug Interactions & Caveats

• Additive sedation with antihistamines and CNS depressants.
• Contraindicated with MAO inhibitors (selegiline)—risk of serotonin syndrome; 2-week washout required.
• Interactions that increase blood levels: ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, erythromycin.
• Use caution in debilitated, hypothyroid, or adrenal-compromised pets.
• Not recommended during pregnancy or lactation; crosses placenta and into milk.

🎯 Best Practices for Owners & Vet Teams

• Ensure correct formulation for species and setting.
• Explain handling and administration (spray or spot) to caregivers.
• Monitor at home for sedation, appetite, warmth, and respiratory changes.
• Encourage follow-up to adjust dose or switch formulations if needed.

📲 Integrate Ask A Vet App for Better Care

The Ask A Vet app enhances buprenorphine therapy management:

• 📆 Medication reminders to maintain schedule.
• 📝 Symptom logging (sedation, temperature, appetite).
• ⚠️ Auto-alerts for concerning signs like slow breathing or lethargy.
• 📞 Direct vet contact through the app for guidance.

💡 Tips from Dr Duncan Houston

• Topical (Zorbium) and 24‑hr injectables (Simbadol) are game-changers—reduce dosing frequency for cats.
• Oral routes preferred for home care—non-invasive and practical.
• Veterinary monitoring is essential—adjust for signs of sedation, cardiac, or respiratory changes.
• Educate owners on storage (room temperature, light protection, secure location).

🚩 When to Contact Your Vet Immediately

• Breathing slower or shallower than usual.
• Extreme lethargy or inability to rise.
• Hypothermia—pet trembling, cold ears/paws).
• Loss of appetite beyond 24 hours.
• Unexpected reactions after mixing with new drugs.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Buprenorphine remains a cornerstone of pain management in veterinary medicine as of 2025—versatile and effective across multiple delivery formats. With drugs like Simbadol and Zorbium, pain relief without daily dosing has become more feasible. But, regardless of form, success hinges on responsible veterinarian guidance, owner education, and modern support tools like the Ask A Vet app.

🐾💉 When administered properly, buprenorphine ensures pets stay comfortable and safe after surgery, trauma, or in chronic pain—letting them heal with dignity and minimal stress.