Marcaine 0.5% Injection
Marcaine (bupivacaine) is regarded as a best-in-class long-acting regional anesthetic for dogs because it delivers prolonged, predictable sensory blockade that reduces the need for repeat dosing and supplemental opioids. Compared with fast-onset agents like lidocaine and mepivacaine it gives much longer postoperative analgesia, and while ropivacaine can offer marginally better cardiac safety, Marcaine often provides similar duration at a lower acquisition cost and benefits from extensive veterinary dosing literature.
Long-lasting numbness
Potent nerve block
Long-lasting numbness
Potent nerve block
Review Summary
"Marcaine 0.5% (bupivacaine) is widely praised for reliably providing long-lasting regional analgesia and excellent postoperative pain control; users emphasize careful dosing because of potential cardiotoxicity if administered intravascularly."
Marathon-level duration
Long-acting local anesthetic providing up to 4–8 hours of analgesia in dogs.
Marathon-level duration
Long-acting local anesthetic providing up to 4–8 hours of analgesia in dogs.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Marcaine (bupivacaine) is regarded as a best-in-class long-acting regional anesthetic for dogs because it delivers prolonged, predictable sensory blockade that reduces the need for repeat dosing and supplemental opioids. Compared with fast-onset agents like lidocaine and mepivacaine it gives much longer postoperative analgesia, and while ropivacaine can offer marginally better cardiac safety, Marcaine often provides similar duration at a lower acquisition cost and benefits from extensive veterinary dosing literature.
Long-lasting numbness
Potent nerve block
Marathon-level duration
Long-acting local anesthetic providing up to 4–8 hours of analgesia in dogs.
Slower onset than lidocaine but preferred for postoperative nerve blocks and surgical infiltration.
Long-lasting numbness
Potent nerve block
Marathon-level duration
Long-acting local anesthetic providing up to 4–8 hours of analgesia in dogs.
Slower onset than lidocaine but preferred for postoperative nerve blocks and surgical infiltration.
$30-80 CAD
Lidocaine HCl 2% Injection
Lidocaine 2% is the market-leading rapid-onset local anesthetic used in canine practice for short procedures and as an intraoperative adjunct because of its quick onset, reliable block, and very low cost. Financially and logistically it outcompetes longer-acting agents such as bupivacaine and ropivacaine for routine, brief interventions and is widely available as an inexpensive generic, although its much shorter duration means it often needs repeat administration or combination with longer-acting agents for extended analgesia.
Rapid-onset numbness
Short-procedure friendly
Rapid-onset numbness
Short-procedure friendly
Review Summary
"Lidocaine HCl 2% is valued for its rapid onset, versatility and affordability for local and regional blocks; reviewers commonly note its short duration often means it must be supplemented for prolonged procedures."
Zip-fast starter
Very rapid onset within minutes, useful for infiltration and short procedures.
Zip-fast starter
Very rapid onset within minutes, useful for infiltration and short procedures.
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Lidocaine 2% is the market-leading rapid-onset local anesthetic used in canine practice for short procedures and as an intraoperative adjunct because of its quick onset, reliable block, and very low cost. Financially and logistically it outcompetes longer-acting agents such as bupivacaine and ropivacaine for routine, brief interventions and is widely available as an inexpensive generic, although its much shorter duration means it often needs repeat administration or combination with longer-acting agents for extended analgesia.
Rapid-onset numbness
Short-procedure friendly
Zip-fast starter
Very rapid onset within minutes, useful for infiltration and short procedures.
Short duration of effect (typically ~1–2 hours) making it ideal for immediate anesthesia and arrhythmia treatment.
Rapid-onset numbness
Short-procedure friendly
Zip-fast starter
Very rapid onset within minutes, useful for infiltration and short procedures.
Short duration of effect (typically ~1–2 hours) making it ideal for immediate anesthesia and arrhythmia treatment.
$10-25 CAD
Bupivacaine 0.5% Injection
Bupivacaine 0.5% generic is a cost-effective, long-duration option commonly used for regional and epidural blocks in dogs, delivering analgesic duration comparable to branded Marcaine but frequently at lower purchase price. It competes well with ropivacaine on duration and cost, though it lacks ropivacaine’s somewhat improved cardiac and motor-sparing profile; for clinics prioritizing analgesic longevity and budget efficiency, generic bupivacaine is a practical staple.
Extended pain control
Deep motor-sensory block
Extended pain control
Deep motor-sensory block
Review Summary
"Generic bupivacaine 0.5% is consistently reported to deliver long-lasting, effective analgesia comparable to brand options; some purchasers mention occasional variability in packaging or supply but overall dependable clinical performance."
Endurance-grade effect
Generic bupivacaine delivers prolonged analgesia comparable to brand formulations for nerve blocks.
Endurance-grade effect
Generic bupivacaine delivers prolonged analgesia comparable to brand formulations for nerve blocks.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Bupivacaine 0.5% generic is a cost-effective, long-duration option commonly used for regional and epidural blocks in dogs, delivering analgesic duration comparable to branded Marcaine but frequently at lower purchase price. It competes well with ropivacaine on duration and cost, though it lacks ropivacaine’s somewhat improved cardiac and motor-sparing profile; for clinics prioritizing analgesic longevity and budget efficiency, generic bupivacaine is a practical staple.
Extended pain control
Deep motor-sensory block
Endurance-grade effect
Generic bupivacaine delivers prolonged analgesia comparable to brand formulations for nerve blocks.
Generally lower cost than brand-name products while maintaining similar potency and duration.
Extended pain control
Deep motor-sensory block
Endurance-grade effect
Generic bupivacaine delivers prolonged analgesia comparable to brand formulations for nerve blocks.
Generally lower cost than brand-name products while maintaining similar potency and duration.
$15-45 CAD
Ropivacaine HCl Injection
Ropivacaine HCl is positioned as the premium market choice for veterinary regional anesthesia due to its long sensory block, reduced motor blockade, and improved cardiac safety relative to bupivacaine formulations, which helps preserve postoperative mobility in dogs. Although typically more expensive than lidocaine or generic bupivacaine, its safety and functional-sparing characteristics can lower downstream care costs in high-risk or limb-sparing cases, making it attractive for practices that prioritize outcomes over upfront drug cost.
Prolonged sensory block
Lower cardiotoxicity
Prolonged sensory block
Lower cardiotoxicity
Review Summary
"Ropivacaine HCl is favored for long-acting regional anesthesia with a better cardiac safety profile than bupivacaine, making it popular where available; reviewers often cite higher cost and more limited availability as drawbacks."
Heart-friendly charm
Long-acting amide anesthetic with relatively less cardiotoxicity compared with bupivacaine.
Heart-friendly charm
Long-acting amide anesthetic with relatively less cardiotoxicity compared with bupivacaine.
Increased Safety & Security
Skill Development & Mastery
Ropivacaine HCl is positioned as the premium market choice for veterinary regional anesthesia due to its long sensory block, reduced motor blockade, and improved cardiac safety relative to bupivacaine formulations, which helps preserve postoperative mobility in dogs. Although typically more expensive than lidocaine or generic bupivacaine, its safety and functional-sparing characteristics can lower downstream care costs in high-risk or limb-sparing cases, making it attractive for practices that prioritize outcomes over upfront drug cost.
Prolonged sensory block
Lower cardiotoxicity
Heart-friendly charm
Long-acting amide anesthetic with relatively less cardiotoxicity compared with bupivacaine.
Produces prolonged sensory blockade with more motor-sparing effect, useful for peripheral nerve blocks and epidurals.
Prolonged sensory block
Lower cardiotoxicity
Heart-friendly charm
Long-acting amide anesthetic with relatively less cardiotoxicity compared with bupivacaine.
Produces prolonged sensory blockade with more motor-sparing effect, useful for peripheral nerve blocks and epidurals.
$50-150 CAD
Mepivacaine HCl 2% Injection
Mepivacaine 2% is valued in canine practice for intermediate-duration regional blocks where a longer effect than lidocaine is desired without the prolonged motor impairment associated with bupivacaine, offering a predictable onset and less vasodilation. It is often competitively priced and can reduce the need for added vasoconstrictors, making it a pragmatic, cost-conscious choice for dental, infiltration, and certain nerve blocks compared with both very short-acting lidocaine and longer-acting bupivacaine/ropivacaine options.
Medium-duration block
Less vasodilation
Medium-duration block
Less vasodilation
Review Summary
"Mepivacaine HCl 2% is appreciated for its intermediate duration, low tissue irritation, and reliable performance in nerve blocks and dental procedures; users report it’s a practical alternative when slightly longer action than lidocaine is desired, though not as long-lasting as bupivacaine."
Reliable quick-acting
Intermediate-duration local anesthetic with rapid onset similar to lidocaine and longer action (~2–3 hours).
Reliable quick-acting
Intermediate-duration local anesthetic with rapid onset similar to lidocaine and longer action (~2–3 hours).
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Mepivacaine 2% is valued in canine practice for intermediate-duration regional blocks where a longer effect than lidocaine is desired without the prolonged motor impairment associated with bupivacaine, offering a predictable onset and less vasodilation. It is often competitively priced and can reduce the need for added vasoconstrictors, making it a pragmatic, cost-conscious choice for dental, infiltration, and certain nerve blocks compared with both very short-acting lidocaine and longer-acting bupivacaine/ropivacaine options.
Medium-duration block
Less vasodilation
Reliable quick-acting
Intermediate-duration local anesthetic with rapid onset similar to lidocaine and longer action (~2–3 hours).
Frequently used for peripheral nerve blocks and dental procedures in dogs.
Medium-duration block
Less vasodilation
Reliable quick-acting
Intermediate-duration local anesthetic with rapid onset similar to lidocaine and longer action (~2–3 hours).
Frequently used for peripheral nerve blocks and dental procedures in dogs.
$15-50 CAD