POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Release 300 mg/ml, Solution for Injection

Active ingredient: Pentobarbital Sodium

Form

Injection

Species

Cage Birds Cats Cattle Chickens Dogs Frog Guinea Pig Hamster Hare Horses Lizard Mink Mouse Pigeon (non-food producing) Pigs Polecat Rabbits Rat Snake Tortoise

Manufacturer

WDT-Wirtschaftsgenossenschaft deutscher Tieraerzte eG

VMD MA No.

32829/5002

What it's used for

For euthanasia of small animals (mainly dogs and cats) and cattle.

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Pentobarbital Sodium

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Your prescription rights → VMD register of retailers →

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Release 300 mg/ml, Solution for Injection — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

For euthanasia of small animals (mainly dogs and cats) and cattle.

The intravenous route of administration should be the route of choice, if possible. Where
intravenous administration is impossible, and following appropriate sedation, the
product may be administered via the intracardiac route in all named species except the
avian ones.
Only if intracardiac administration is not possible, should administration via the
intraperitoneal route be used and again only following appropriate sedation of the
animal concerned. This route is not suitable for horses, ponies, cattle, or pigs.
Intrapulmonary administration should be used only as a
animal has been sedated and shows no response to noxious stimuli. This route is not
suitable for horses, ponies, cattle, or pigs.
The applicable dose depends on animal species and route of administration. Therefore,
please follow the instructions described in the dosage scheme carefully.
The intravenous injection in companion animals should be carried out with a continuous
injection rate until unconsciousness occurs.
In horses and cattle, veterinary medicinal product should be injected under pressure as
fast as possible.
Method of choice in birds is the intravenous injection. If venipuncture cannot be
performed due to e.g. haematoma, collapse of cardiovascular system, intrapulmonary
injection should be done. This is performed by inserting the cannula in dorso-ventral
direction on the left or right side of the backbone into the lung (3
rd
or 4
th
intercostal
segment between backbone and scapula).
In swine, it was shown that there might be a direct correlation between restraint and
level of excitation and agitation. Therefore, injection in swine should be done with the
least amount of restraint necessary.
To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as
possible.
Horses, Ponies
Intravenous (rapid injection)900 mg/10 kg bodyweight (accordingly 3
ml/10
kg bw)
Cattle
Intravenous (rapid injection)450 mg/10 kg to 900 mg/10 kg
bodyweight
(accordingly 1.5-3 ml/10 kg bw)
Swine
- Intravenous via ear vein (no restraint or
restraint by using a loop for the upper
jaw)
- Intravenous via Vena cava cran.
(restraint with a loop for the upper jaw or
in piglets restraint between the thighs of
a second person)
450 mg/5 kg up to 30 kg bodyweight (1.5
ml/5 kg bw)
450 mg/10 kg above 30 kg bodyweight
(1.5
ml/10 kg bw)
AN: 03265/2023Page 5 of 8
Dogs
Intravenous: continuous injection till
sleep, then rapid injection of the
remaining quantity
150 mg/kg bodyweight (accordingly 0.5
ml/kg
bw)
Intracardiac, intrapulmonary and
intraperitoneal
450 mg/kg bodyweight (accordingly 1.5
ml/kg
bw)
Cats
Intravenous: continuous injection till
sleep, then rapid injection of the
remaining quantity
150 mg/kg bodyweight (accordingly 0.5
ml/kg
bw)
Intracardiac, intrapulmonary and
intraperitoneal
450 mg/kg bodyweight (accordingly 1.5
ml/kg
bw)
Minks, Polecats
Intravenous450 mg/animal (accordingly 1.5 ml per
animal)
Intracardiac, intrapulmonary injection
with a long needle (4 cm) from the
caudal part of the breastbone (xiphoid
process, xiphisternum) in cranio-dorsal
direction
450 mg/animal (accordingly 1.5 ml per
animal)
Hares, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Rats, Mice
Intravenous, intracardiac300 mg/kg bodyweight (accordingly 1
ml/kg
bw)
Intrapulmonary300 mg/kg bodyweight (accordingly 1
ml/kg
bw)
Intraperitoneal600 mg/kg bodyweight (accordingly 2
ml/kg
bw)
Chicken, Pigeons, Birds
Intravenous450 mg/kg bodyweight (accordingly 1.5
ml/kg
bw)
Intrapulmonary450 mg/kg bodyweight (accordingly 1.5
ml/kg
bw)
Snakes, Tortoises, Lizards and Frogs up to 5 kg
Injection into the cavity near the heart.
Death occurs after 5 to 10 minutes.
Minimal dose rate: 60 mg/kg body weight
Average: 300 – 450 mg/animal
(accordingly
1.0 ml to 1.5 ml/animal)
AN: 03265/2023Page 6 of 8

Do not use for anaesthetic purposes.
Do not use for intracoelomic injection in chelonia as the time to death may be
unnecessarily prolonged compared with intravenous administration.

Horses, ponies, cattle, swine, dogs, cats, minks, polecats, hares, rabbits, guinea pigs,
hamsters, rats, mice, chicken, pigeons, birds, snakes, tortoises, lizards, frogs:
Very common
(>1 animal / 10 animals treated):
Agonal breathing
, Cough
,
Respiratory distress
Undetermined frequency (cannot be
estimated from the available data)
Twitching
1
after administration by the intra-pulmonary route
minor, after injection
Death may be delayed if the injection is administered perivascularly. Barbiturates can
be irritating when administered subcutaneously or perivascularly.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to
either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for
respective contact details.

The intraperitoneal route of administration may cause a prolonged onset of action with
an increased risk of adverse effects noted in 3.6. Prior sedation is advisable.
AN: 03265/2023Page 2 of 8
The intrapulmonary route of administration may cause a prolonged onset of action with
an increased risk of adverse effects noted in 3.6 and should be reserved for cases
where other routes of administration are not possible. Prior sedation is mandatory
before this route of administration is employed.
When euthanasia of poikilotherms is undertaken, the animal must be maintained at its
preferred optimum temperature, otherwise efficacy may be unreliable. Species
appropriate measures (e.g. pithing) should be taken to ensure that euthanasia is
complete in order that spontaneous recovery sometime later does not occur.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Venomous snakes are best euthanised by intracoelomic injections of sodium
pentobarbital solution with judicious use of prior sedation in order to minimise danger to
humans.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals:
Pentobarbital is a potent drug, which is toxic in man – particular care must be taken to
avoid accidental ingestion and self-injection. Only carry this veterinary medicinal product
in an unarmed syringe to avoid accidental injection.
Systemic uptake (including absorption via skin or eye) of pentobarbital causes sedation,
sleep induction and respiratory depression.
The concentration of pentobarbital in the product is such that the accidental injection or
ingestion of quantities as small as 1 ml in human adults can have serious CNS effects.
A dose of pentobarbital sodium of 1 g (equivalent to 3.3 ml of product) has been
reported to be fatal in humans.
Avoid direct contact with the skin and eyes, including hand-to-eye contact.
Wear suitable protective gloves when handling this product – pentobarbital can be
absorbed via skin and mucosa.
Moreover, this product may be irritating to the eye and can cause irritation to the skin as
well as hypersensitivity reactions (due to the presence of pentobarbital and benzyl
alcohol). People with known hypersensitivity to pentobarbital should avoid contact with
the veterinary medicinal product.
This product should be used only in the presence of another person that can assist in
case of accidental exposure. Instruct that person if not a medical professional about the
risks of the product.
In the event of accident the following action should be taken:
Skin – Wash immediately with water and then thoroughly with soap and water. Seek
medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Eyes – Rinse immediately with plenty of cold water. Seek medical advice immediately
and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Ingestion – Wash out mouth. Seek medical advice immediately and show the package
leaflet or the label to the physician. Keep warm and rest.
AN: 03265/2023Page 3 of 8
Accidental self-injection – Obtain URGENT medical attention (take the package leaflet
with you), advising medical services of barbiturate poisoning. Do not leave the patient
unattended.
DO NOT DRIVE as sedation may occur.
This product is flammable. Keep away from sources of ignition. Do not smoke.
To the physician: Maintain airways and give symptomatic and supportive treatment.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Carcasses of animals euthanised with this product should be disposed of in accordance
with national legislation.
Carcasses of animals euthanised with this product should not be fed to other animals
due to the risk of secondary intoxication.

CNS depressant drugs (narcotics, phenothiazines, antihistamines, etc.) may increase
the effect of pentobarbital.
AN: 03265/2023Page 4 of 8

This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not use in animals intended for human or animal consumption.
Adequate measures should be taken to ensure that carcasses of animals treated with
this product and the by-products of these animals do not enter the food chain and are
not used for human consumption.
4.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.