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Drug
Dosage (Table 1) - Anesthesia and Analgesia
Systemic analgesics must be considered for all species experiencing major survival surgical procedures as well as for animals undergoing minor procedures that may result in significant post-operative pain or discomfort.
Drug |
Mouse dose range |
Route of administration |
Frequency |
Comments |
NSAIDs *Prolonged use may cause gastrointestinal, renal or other problems |
Flunixin meglumine (Banamine®) |
2.5 mg/kg |
SC, IM |
Every 12-24 hours |
|
Carprofen (Rimadyl®) |
5 mg/kg |
SC |
Once every 24 hours |
|
Ibuprofen (Children’s Advil®; Children’s Motrin®) |
40 mg/kg diluted in drinking water |
PO |
Daily in fresh water** |
|
Ketoprofen (Ketofen®) |
5 mg/kg |
SC |
Once every 24 hours |
|
Meloxicam (Metacam®) |
1-2 mg/kg |
PO, SC |
Once every 12-24 hours |
|
OPIOIDS |
Buprenorphine (Buprenex®)
(Controlled) |
2 mg/kg |
SC |
Once every 3-5 hours |
If mild to moderate pain of increased duration is anticipated |
Butorphanol (Torbugesic®, Torbutrol®, Stadol®)
(Controlled) |
5 mg/kg |
SC |
Once every 1-2 hours |
If mild pain of short duration is anticipated |
Meperidine (Demerol®)
(Controlled) |
10–20 mg/kg
or
0.2 mg/ml of Demerol HCl syrup in water |
SC, IM
PO |
Once every 2-3 hours
Daily in fresh water** |
|
Morphine
(Controlled) |
10 mg/kg |
SC |
Once every 2-3 hours |
If severe post-operative pain is anticipated |
Pentazocine (Talwin®)
(Controlled) |
10 mg/kg |
SC |
Once every 2-4 hours |
Mild to moderate pain; may develop analgesic tolerance with chronic administration |
OTHER |
Acetaminophen (Tylenol Pediatric Syrup) – analgesic / antipyretic |
1-2 mg/ml drinking water made fresh daily |
PO |
Daily in fresh water ** |
May be appropriate for procedures causing mild discomfort only; efficacy has been questioned in rodents |
Drug |
Rat dose range |
Route of administration |
Frequency |
Comments |
NSAIDs *Prolonged use may result in gastrointestinal, renal or other problems. |
Flunixin meglumine (Banamine®) |
2.5 mg/kg SC, IM every 12-24 hours |
SC, IM |
Once every 12-24 hours |
|
Carprofen |
5 mg/kg |
SC, PO |
Once every 24 hours |
Oral doses may need to be increased |
Ibuprofen (Children’s Advil) |
10-30 mg/kg |
PO |
Once every 4 hours |
|
Ketoprofen (Ketofen®) |
5 mg/kg |
IM, SC, PO |
Once every 24 hours |
Oral doses may need to be increased |
Meloxicam (Metacam®) |
1-2 mg/kg |
SC, PO |
Once every 12-24 hours |
|
OPIOIDS |
Buprenorphine (Buprenex®)
(Controlled) |
0.5 mg/kg |
SC |
Once every 6-8 hours |
If mild to moderate pain of increased duration is anticipated |
Butorphanol (Torbugesic®, Torbutrol®, Stadol®)
(Controlled) |
2 mg/kg |
SC |
Once every 1-2 hours |
If mild pain of short duration is anticipated |
Meperidine (Demerol®)
(Controlled) |
10-20 mg/kg
or
0.2 mg/ml of Demerol HCl syrup in water |
IP, IM
PO |
Once every 2-3 hours
Daily in fresh water** |
|
Morphine
(Controlled) |
10 mg/kg |
SC |
Once every 2-3 hours |
If severe post-operative pain is anticipated |
Pentazocine (Talwin®)
(Controlled) |
10 mg/kg |
SC |
Once every 2-4 hours |
Mild to moderate pain of short duration; may develop analgesic tolerance with chronic administration |
OTHER |
Acetaminophen (Tylenol Pediatric Syrup) – analgesic / antipyretic |
1-2 mg/ml drinking water made fresh daily |
PO |
Daily in fresh water** |
May be appropriate for procedures causing mild discomfort only |
Drug |
Mouse dose range |
Route of Administration |
Comments |
Sodium Pentobarbital (Nembutal®) |
30-90 mg/kg |
IP |
Useful for immobilization, not surgical anesthesia, when used alone. |
Ketamine/xylazine |
100 mg/kg ketamine +
10 mg/kg xylazine |
IP |
Anesthesia; only redose with ketamine if needed |
Ketamine/midazolam |
100 mg/kg ketamine +
5 mg/kg midazolam |
IP |
Anesthesia; only redose with ketamine if needed |
Ketamine/diazepam |
100 mg/kg ketamine +
5 mg/kg acepromazine IP |
IP |
Anesthesia; only redose with ketamine if needed |
Tribromoethanol (Avertin®)
|
200-300 mg/kg
Or
0.2 ml per 10g BW of 1.25% solution |
IP |
Requires storage in lightproof container under refrigeration;
is an irritant, especially at high doses, high concentrations, or with repeated use. Adhesions are sometimes seen in the abdominal cavity after IP injections. |
| Avertin is no longer commercially available. Strong Memorial Pharmacy (X5-2379) will prepare Avertin solution for investigators upon request. |
Injectable anesthetics in rats (remember to provide heat to anesthetized rodents)
Drug |
Rat Dose range |
Route of Administration |
Comments |
Sodium Pentobarbital (Nembutal®) |
40-50 mg/kg |
IP |
Light anesthesia |
Ketamine/xylazine |
40-80 mg/kg ketamine +
5-10 mg/kg xylazine |
IP |
Surgical anesthesia |
Ketamine/midazolam |
75 mg/kg ketamine +
5 mg/kg midazolam |
IP |
Light anesthesia |
Ketamine/diazepam |
75 mg/kg ketamine +
5 mg/kg acepromazine |
IP |
Light anesthesia |
Chloral hydrate |
300 mg/kg |
IP |
Dilute as much as possible. Concentrations >2% causes ileitis-peritonitis |
Inhalation anesthesia of mice and rats
Drug/agent |
Usage to anesthetize mice and rats |
Isoflurane |
Maintain at 1-3% to effect (5% for induction). If survival surgery, analgesics should be used. Use precision vaporizer. DLAM has rodent anesthetic machines available for use for a small fee. Contact DLAM for reservations and questions. |
Isoflurane in a jar in fume hood (no vaporizer) |
♦Jar needs a perforated platform in the bottom to prevent animal contact with anesthetic.
♦Moisten gauze with isoflurane and place it below platform.
♦After animal is anesthetized, use a nose cone with isoflurane-wetted cotton ball in a beaker /syringe case to sustain anesthesia. Distance from nose controls depth of anesthesia. Contact DLAM with any questions or to schedule a training session. |
|
|
Anesthetics and Analgesics used in Gerbils
Anesthesia in Gerbils |
Dose & Route |
Telazol (Tiletamine/zolazepam) |
60 mg/kg IP (use lower dose for restraint) |
Ketamine + xylazine or acepormazine |
60-90 mg/kg + 4 - 8 mg/kg or 1-2 mg/kg IP |
Ketamine + medetomidine |
75 mg/kg + 0.5 mg/kg SQ or IP |
Ketamine + medetomidine |
40 mg/kg + 0.5 mg/kg SQ or IP |
Ketamine + xylazine |
50-70 mg/kg + 2 - 3 mg/kg SQ or IP |
Ketamine + Diazepam |
100 mg/kg + 5 mg/kg SQ or IP |
Sodium Pentobarbital |
60-90 mg/kg IP. Recommended to dilute commercial product 1:1 with sterile saline to provide larger margin of safety |
Isoflurane |
0 - 5 % to effect |
Analgesia in Gerbils |
|
Buprenorphine (Buprenex) |
0.1 mg/kg SQ every 6 - 8 hours |
Flunixin (Banamine) |
2.5 - 5.0 mg/kg SQ every 12 - 24 hours. Five day maximum for treatment |
Anesthetics and Analgesics used in the Syrian Hamster
Anesthesia in the Syrian Hamster |
Dose & Route |
Ketamine + Xylazine |
150 - 200 mg/kg + 10 mg/kg IP |
Sodium Pentobarbital |
60-90 mg/kg IP. Recommended to dilute commercial product 1:1 with sterile saline to provide larger margin of safety |
Isoflurane |
0 - 5 % to effect |
Analgesia in the Syrian Hamster |
|
Buprenorphine (Buprenex) |
0.1 mg/kg SQ every 6 - 8 hours |
Flunixin (Banamine) |
2.5 - 5.0 mg/kg SQ every 12 - 24 hours. Five day maximum for treatment |
Anesthetics and Analgesics used in Guinea Pigs
Anesthesia in Guinea Pigs |
Dose & Route |
Ketamine + xylazine |
35 mg/kg + 5 mg/kg IP |
Ketamine + xylazine |
40 - 80 mg/kg + 5 - 10 mg/kg IP |
Ketamine + medetomidine |
40 mg/kg + 0.5 mg/kg SQ or IP |
Sodium Pentobarbital |
35 - 45 mg/kg IP |
Isoflurane |
0 - 5 % to effect |
Analgesia in Guinea Pigs |
|
Buprenorphine (Buprenex) |
0.05 mg/kg SQ every 6 - 12 hours |
Meperidine (Demerol) |
10 - 20 mg/kg SQ or IM every 2 - 3 hours |
Morphine |
2 - 5 mg/kg SQ or IM every 4 hours |
Flunixin (Banamine) |
2.5 - 5.0 mg/kg every 12 - 24 hours. Five day maximum for treatment |
Anesthetics and Analgesics used in Ferrets
Anesthesia in Ferrets |
Dose & Route |
Ketamine + Xylazine |
25 mg/kg + 2.5 mg/kg IM |
Isoflurane |
0 - 5 % to effect |
Analgesia in Ferrets |
|
Buprenorphine (Buprenex) |
0.01 - 0.03 mg/kg SQ, IM or IV every 8 - 12 hours |
Butorphanol (Torbugesic) |
0.1 – 0.5 mg/kg IM every 12 hours |
Flunixin (Banamine) |
0.5 – 2.0 mg/kg SQ, IV 12 - 24 hours |
Meperidine (Demerol) |
5 - 10 mg/kg SQ, IM, IV every 2 - 4 hours |
Anesthetics and Analgesics used in Rabbits
Anesthesia in Rabbits |
Dose & Route |
Ketamine + Xylazine |
44 mg/kg + 5 mg/kg SQ* or IM. SQ is preferred route of administration |
Ketamine + Xylazine |
35 - 50 mg/kg + 5-10 mg/kg SQ* or IM. SQ is preferred route of administration |
Sodium Pentobarbital |
20 - 60 mg/kg IV. Apnea is common |
Fentanyl + Droperidol |
0.04 - 0.2 mg/kg + 2-10 mg/kg IM |
Fentanyl + Droperidol |
(0.4 mg/ml + 20 mg/ml) given at 0.3 – 0.5 ml/kg IM provides anesthesia. Dosage of 0.125 ml/kg IM provides sedation vasodilatation for easy blood collection from central ear artery. |
Acepromazine |
0.25 – 0.75 mg/kg IM for blood collection from central ear artery |
Isoflurane |
0 - 5 % to effect |
Analgesia in Rabbits |
|
Buprenorphine (Buprenex) |
0.01 - 0.05 mg/kg SQ every 6 -12 hours |
Butorphanol (Torbugesic) |
0.1 - 0.5 mg/kg SQ, IV, IM every 2 - 4 hours |
Flunixin (Banamine) |
1 - 2 mg/kg SQ every 12 - 24 hours |
Meloxicam (Metacam) |
0.2 mg/kg SQ or 0.3 mg/kg PO once a day |
Anesthetics and Analgesics used in Cats
Anesthesia in Cats |
Dose & Route |
Sodium Pentobarbital |
25 mg/kg IV calculated dose to effect. Atropine 0.04 mg/kg IM or IV prevents bradycardia |
Ketamine |
10 mg/kg IM. Chemical restraint only for noninvasive procedures or for induction |
Ketamine + diazepam |
10 mg/kg + 0.5 mg/kg IV (mix together). Give 50% dose, then give smaller volumes as needed for induction |
Ketamine + xylazine |
4.6 mg/kg + 0.23 mg/kg IM |
Isoflurane |
0 - 5 % to effect |
Analgesia in Cats |
|
Morphine |
0.1 mg/kg SQ every 4 - 6 hours |
Buprenorphine (Buprenex) |
0.004 - 0.01 mg/kg SQ every 8 -12 hours |
Butorphanol (Torbugesic) |
0.1 - 0.4 mg/kg SQ every 6 hours |
Meloxicam (Metacam) |
0.2 mg/kg PO, IV, SQ on Day 1; then 0.1 mg/kg once a day subsequent days |
Anesthetics and Analgesics used in Dogs
Anesthesia in Dogs |
Dose & Route |
Sodium Pentobarbital |
25 mg/kg IV calculated dose to effect. Atropine (0.04 mg/kg IM or IV prevents bradycardia |
Ketamine + diazepam |
10 mg/kg + 0.5 mg/kg IV – mix together and give 50% dose, then in small increments as needed – for induction |
Isoflurane |
0 - 5 % to effect |
Analgesia in Dogs |
|
Meperidine (Demerol) |
2 - 10 mg/kg IM or SQ every 2 - 3 hours |
Buprenorphine (Buprenex) |
0.01 - 0.04 mg/kg SQ every 8 -12 hours |
Flunixin meglumine (Banamine |
1 mg/kg IV or IM every 24 hours. Five day maximum treatment |
Butorphanol (Torbugesic) |
0.2 - 0.4 mg/kg SQ or IM or IV every 2 - 5 hours |
Meloxicam (Metacam) |
0.2 mg/kg PO, IV, SQ on Day 1; then 0.1 mg/kg once a day for subsequent days |
Anesthetics and Analgesics used in NHP
Anesthesia in the NHP |
Dose & Route |
Sodium Pentobarbital (25 mg/kg) |
IV calculated dose given to effect, Atropine (0.04 mg/kg) IM or IV prevents bradycardia. |
Ketamine + diazepam |
10 - 15 mg/kg + 0.25 - 0.5 mg/kg IM for CHEMICAL RESTRAINT ONLY FOR NONINVASIVE PROCEDURES or FOR INDUCTION |
Isoflurane |
0 – 5 % to effect |
Analgesia in the NHP |
|
Tylenol Pediatric Suspension |
10mg/kg orally every 6-12 hours |
Meloxicam (Metacam) |
0.1 – 0.2 mg/kg IM, PO, SQ once a day (0.2 mg/kg on day one, then 0.1 mg/kg) |
Flunixin |
1.1 mg/kg IM, SQ every 12 - 24 hours |
Buprenorphine (Buprenex) |
0.01 – 0.04 mg/kg SQ every 6 -12 hours |
Meperidine (Demerol) |
2 - 4 mg/kg IM every 8 – 12 hours |
Butorphanol (Torbugesic) |
0.1 – 0.2 mg/kg IM every 12 - 48 hours |
Anesthetics and Analgesics used in Pigs
Anesthesia in Pigs |
Dose & Route |
Ketamine + Acepromazine |
22 mg/kg + 1.1 mg/kg IM |
Sodium Pentobarbital |
20 mg/kg IV calculated dose given to effect. Atropine 0.04 mg/kg IM or IM prevents bradycardia |
Isoflurane |
0 – 5 % to effect |
Analgesia in Pigs |
|
Meperidine |
2 -10 mg/kg IM or SQ every 2 – 4 hours |
Buprenorphine (Buprenex) |
0.005 - 0.01 mg/kg SQ every 6 -12 hours |
Flunixin meglumine (Banamine) |
0.5 – 1.0 mg/kg SQ, IV every 12 - 24 hours. Five day maximum treatment |
Butorphanol (Torbugesic) |
0.1 – 0.3 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 -12 hours |
CRITERIA FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF ANALGESICS IN LABORATORY ANIMALS
RODENT ANALGESIA ...pain in rodents may be identified by observing the animal's reluctance to move about, eat or drink, weight loss, salivation, hunched posture, piloerection, respiratory sounds (chattering in mice) and by vocalization with handling.
GUINEA PIG AND CHINCHILLAS..pain in guinea pigs and chinchillas may be identified by observing the animal's reluctance to move, vocalization with handling, decreased food and water intake and postural abnormalities.
FERRET ANALGESIA..pain in ferrets may be identified by observing the animal's reluctance to move, spontaneous vocalization or vocalization upon handling, reluctance to eat and drink, avoidance behavior, depression, postural abnormalities, increased respiratory rate and abnormal pattern.
RABBIT ANALGESIA...pain in rabbits may be identified by observing the animal's reluctance to move about, eat or drink, postural abnormalities, increased respiratory rate and/or abnormal pattern and by vocalization with handling.
NONHUMAN PRIMATE ANALGESIA..pain in nonhuman primates may be identified by depression, guarding of painful part, avoidance behavior, spontaneous vocalization or vocalization upon handling, teeth grinding, lying down and getting up repeatedly, abnormal posture, increased respiratory rate and abnormal pattern, reluctance to move or inappetence.
CANINE ANALGESIA..pain in dogs may be identified by depression, guarding of painful part, spontaneous vocalization upon handling, avoidance behavior, recumbency, inappetence, muscle tremors, attraction to painful area (licking, biting, scratching), and abnormal posture.
SWINE ANALGESIA..pain in pigs may be identified by depression, recumbency, vocalization when painful area is manipulated or spontaneous vocalization (eg. grunting), abnormal posture, inappetence, increased respiratory rate and abnormal pattern, lying down and getting up repeatedly and avoidance behavior.
SHEEP/GOATS..pain in sheep and goats may be identified by depression, recumbency, vocalization when painful area is manipulated or spontaneous vocalization, abnormal posture, inappetence, increase respiratory rate and/or abnormal pattern, lying down and getting up repeatedly (especially in ruminants) and avoidance behavior.
FELINE ANALGESIA..pain in cats may be identified by depression, guarding of painful part, spontaneous vocalization or vocalization upon handling, avoidance behavior, loss of appetite, reluctance to move, abnormal posture, muscle tremors, and attraction to area of pain (licking, biting, scratching).
update 9/29/09 |
