RAT (Rattus norvegicus)

Physiologic Parameters

Body temperature = 35.9-37.5oC
Heart rate = 250-450/min
Respiratory rate = 70-115/min
Tidal volume = 0.6-2.0 ml

Male rats and animals receiving low calorie diets require higher doses of barbiturates.

Avertin has been reported to cause ileus in rats.

The therapeutic dose for carbon dioxide is close to the lethal dose; very short acting. Concurrent administration of 10-50% O₂ is recommended.

The reversal agent, yohimbine, is only effective when xylazine or medetomidine has been used.

The projected duration of action for an analgesic is an approximation because the nature of the procedure and the level of pain that is experienced affect it.

Drug Indication and Drugs Dosage and Route of Administration

Restraint/Pre-Anesthesia

Atropine 0.04-0.1 mg/kg SC
Diazepam, C-IV (Valium®) 0.5-15 mg/kg IP
Ketamine, C-III (Ketaset®, Vetalar®) 22-50 mg/kg IM
Carbon dioxide + 10-50% O2 To effect IH
Medetomidine 30-100 µg/kg SQ

Anesthesia

Sodium Pentobarbital, C-II 30-60 mg/kg IV IP
Ketamine, C-III (10 mg/ml solution) 50-90 mg/kg IM
50-100 mg/kg IP
Ketamine/Xylazine:
     Ketamine 40-80 mg/kg IM IP + xylazine 10 mg/kg IM IP
Halothane (Fluothane®) To effect IH
Isoflurane To effect IH
Carbon dioxide To effect IH
Telazol®, C-III 20-40 mg/kg IP
20 mg/kg IM
Ketamine/Medetomidine
     Ketamine 60-75 mg/kg IP +
     Medetomidine (Domitor®) 0.25-0.5 mg/kg IP
Fentanyl/Medetomidine
     Fentanyl 300 µg/kg IP +
     Medetomidine 300 µg/kg IP
Reversal Agent: (for Medetomidine) atipamezole (Antesedan®) 1 mg/kg SC, IP, or IV
(for Fentanyl) Butorphanol 0.4 mg/kg IP
Chloral hydrate 300-400 mg/kg IP
(5% solution)

Analgesia*

Morphine, C-II 1.5-6 mg/kg q2-4h SC
Butorphanol tartrate, C-IV (Torbugesic®) 2.5-5 mg/kg q1-2h SC
Carprofen 5 mg/kg q12-24h SC
Ketorolac 3-5 mg/kg q12-24h PO
1 mg/kg q12-24h IM
Buprenorphine, C-V 0.01-0.05 mg/kg SC IP
Reversal Agents
Yohimbine (reverses xylazine) 1-2 mg/kg IM IP