Nursing Station Animal Care Medication Protocol

This protocol exists to reduce animal suffering in exceptional circumstances where veterinary services are unavailable. Its use should be guided by clinical judgment, community context, and respect for human–animal relationships within the community. 

This protocol provides standardized medication dosing and guidance for nurses and physicians working in remote First Nations communities without access to veterinary care, to support basic treatment of sick or injured dogs and cats. The intent is to relieve pain and suffering and support animal welfare until veterinary care becomes available. 

This protocol is intended to be used alongside the over-the-counter medication guidance provided to community members and does not replace veterinary assessment or treatment. 

If an animal’s condition worsens, does not improve, or if there are concerns about safety, medication should be discontinued and veterinary consultation sought if possible. 

This protocol may only be applied in: 

• Communities located north of the 53rd parallel, and 
• First Nations communities in Manitoba 

Use is limited to situations where no veterinary care is reasonably accessible. 

• Medications are to be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration. 
• This protocol applies to dogs and cats only 
• These guidelines are intended for symptom relief and stabilization, not definitive diagnosis or long-term management. 

• Confirm species, approximate weight, and overall condition before dosing. 
• Avoid combining medications with overlapping sedative or respiratory effects unless clearly indicated. 
• Monitor for adverse effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sedation, agitation, or respiratory depression. 
• Do not exceed listed maximum doses. 
• When in doubt, do not escalate dosing. 

Pain Management 

Opioids (dogs and cats): 

• Hydromorphone: 0.05–0.1 mg/kg IV, IM, or SQ every 4–6 hours 
• Morphine: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg IV, IM, or SQ every 4–6 hours 
• Buprenorphine: 0.015 mg/kg IV, IM, or SQ every 8–12 hours 

Non-opioid and adjunctive analgesics: 

• Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets (dogs only): 0.1 mg/kg PO once daily 
• Gabapentin capsules (dogs and cats) (100 mg or 300 mg): 
• 10–40 mg/kg PO every 8–12 hours 
• Tramadol (dogs and cats): 
• 2–4 mg/kg PO every 8–12 hours 

Antibiotics 

Skin Infections and Wounds 

• Cephalexin: 22–30 mg/kg PO every 12 hours 
• Amoxicillin–Clavulanic Acid: 12.5–20 mg/kg PO every 12 hours 
• Amoxicillin: 10–20 mg/kg PO every 12 hours 

Urinary Tract Infections 

• Amoxicillin: 10–20 mg/kg PO every 12 hours 
• Amoxicillin–Clavulanic Acid: 12.5–20 mg/kg PO every 12 hours 

Gastrointestinal 

Diarrhea: 

• Metronidazole: 10 mg/kg PO every 12 hours 

Antifungal 

• Ketoconazole (dogs only): 10 mg/kg PO once daily 

Sedation 

(For travel or to allow safe handling) 

• Trazodone: 5 mg/kg PO every 8–12 hours 
• Gabapentin (dogs and cats): 
• 10–40 mg/kg PO every 8–12 hours 

Trazadone and Gabapentin can be combined for better effect. Monitor closely for excessive sedation or ataxia. 

Local Anesthetics 

(For splash blocks or local infiltration only) 

• Lidocaine: 
• Maximum total dose: 2–5 mg/kg per animal 

• Bupivacaine: 
• Maximum total dose: 2 mg/kg per animal 

Do not exceed maximum doses. Avoid intravascular injection.