Rodents

Chapter 8 Rodents



Jörg Mayer



TABLE 8-1 Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a










































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Agent Dosage Comments
Amikacin 5 mg/kg SC, IM q8h40 Chinchillas
  8-16 mg/kg SC, IM, IV divided q8-24h10 All species/also administer fluid therapy
  15 mg/kg IM q12h60 Guinea pigs/high peak dosing regimen as efficacious as divided regimen
Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Clavamox, Pfizer) 20 mg/kg PO q12h66 Mice, rats
Amphotericin B 0.1-1 mg/kg IV q24h 5 days/wk × 3 wk45 Most species/histoplasmosis
  0.11 mg/kg SC1 Mice/use with caution; may cause renal toxicity
  0.43 mg/kg PO1 Mice/candidiasis
Ampicillin — Do not use in hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas; may cause enterocolitis1
  6-30 mg/kg PO q8h3 Gerbils
  20-100 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q8h12,66 Gerbils, mice, rats
Azithromycin 15-30 mg/kg PO q24h66 Most species
  35 mg/kg PO q24h16 Most species
  75 mg/kg IP q24h × 5 days30 Mice
Captan powder (Orthocide, Chevron) 1 tsp/2 cups dust41 Chinchillas/fungicide to prevent spread of dermatophytes between cagemates; add to dust box
Carbenicillin 100 mg/kg PO q12h3 Mice, rats
  200 mg/kg IP1 Mice
Cephalexin 15 mg/kg SC q24h66 Rats
  25 mg/kg SC q24h66 Hamsters, gerbils
  60 mg/kg PO q12h66 Mice
Cephaloridine 10-25 mg/kg SC, IM q24h3 Hamsters, mice, rats
Chloramphenicol palmitate 30-50 mg/kg PO q8-12h66 Most species
Chloramphenicol succinate 30-50 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q8-12h66 All species
  0.5 mg/mL drinking water13 Mice
  0.83 mg/mL drinking water13 Gerbils
  1 mg/mL drinking water13 Guinea pigs
Chloramphenicol ophthalmic ointment Topical to eyes q6-12h72 All species
Chlortetracycline 10 mg/kg SC, IM q12h2,66 Rats
  20 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q12h2,66 Hamsters
  25 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q12h2,66 Mice
  50 mg/kg PO q12h2,66 Chinchillas
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Bayer) 5-20 mg/kg PO q12-24h33,66 All species/may cause arthropathies in young
Clindamycin 7.5 mg/kg SC q12h26 Most species/can cause diarrhea; do not give orally; avoid or use with caution in chinchillas and guinea pigs; great bone penetration
Doxycycline 2.5-5 mg/kg PO q12h2,33 All species/pneumonia; may give in combination with enrofloxacin; do not use in young and pregnant animals
  70-100 mg/kg SC, IM q7d65,66 Mice, rats/use long-acting formulation
Enilconazole Dip in a 0.2% solution q7d1,77 Mice/dermatophytosis
Enrofloxacin (Baytril, Bayer) — Very high doses may cause arthropathies in young if given for a prolonged time; limit SC, IM injections; SC injections can be diluted in NaCl or lactated Ringer’s solution
  5-20 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q12h1,10,33,66 Most species/may combine with doxycycline for Mycoplasma in rats
  0.05-0.2 mg/mL drinking water × 14 days33,84 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats/pasteurellosis
Enrofloxacin (E)/doxycycline (D) 10 mg/kg (E) + 5 mg/kg (D) PO q12h71 Rats/Mycoplasma
Erythromycin — Do not use in chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters (or use with caution)52
  20 mg/kg PO q12h66,86 Mice, rats
  0.13 mg/mL drinking water1,14 Hamsters/outbreaks of proliferative ileitis; use with caution: can cause enterotoxemia; equivalent to 500 mg/gal drinking water
Furazolidone 30 mg/kg PO q24h13 Hamsters
  5.5 mg/mL drinking water13 Guinea pigs
Gentamicin 2 mg/kg IM q12h1 Chinchillas/bacterial enteritis; Pseudomonas
  4-24 mg/kg SC, IM q12h1,33 All species
  5 mg/kg SC, IM q24h3,13,19 All species
  20 mg/kg SC q24h1 Rats
  10 mg/mL drinking water or topical22 Gerbils/nasal dermatitis
Griseofulvin — Dermatophytosis; do not use in pregnant animals; can cause diarrhea, leukopenia, anorexia33
  15-50 mg/kg PO q24h × 14-28 days33,72 Guinea pigs/doses up to 100 mg/kg have been used
  25 mg/kg PO q24h40 Chinchillas
  1.5% in DMSO topical × 5-7 days33 All species
  250 mg/kg q10d × 4 treatments on feed47 Prairie dogs
Itraconazole 2.5-10 mg/kg PO q24h1 Rats/vaginal candidiasis; guinea pigs/systemic candiasis
  50-150 mg/kg PO q24h1 Mice/blastomycosis
Ketoconazole 10-40 mg/kg PO q24h × 14 days1 All species/systemic mycoses; candidiasis
Lime sulfur dip Dip q7d × 4-6 treatments3,66 All species/dermatophytosis; dilute 1:40 with water
Lufenuron (Program, Novartis) 100 mg/kg PO q14d × 3 treatments25 Chinchillas, degus/dermatomycoses
Marbofloxacin 4 mg/kg PO, SC q24h25 All species/do not give during lactation, pregnancy or while growing; injectable can be given orally
Metronidazole — Anaerobes; add sucrose for palatability
  10-20 mg/kg PO q12h66 Chinchillas/use with caution; objectionable taste may result in reduced food consumption
  10-40 mg/kg PO q24h66 Mice, rats
  10-40 mg/rat PO q24h1 Rat
  20-60 mg/kg PO q8-12h1 Prairie dogs
  2.5 mg/mL drinking water × 5 day13 Mice
Neomycin 8 mg/kg PO q24h12 Guinea pigs/best to avoid or use with caution
  15 mg/kg PO q24h12 Chinchillas/best to avoid or use with caution
  25 mg/kg PO q12h16,66 Mice, rats, hamsters
  100 mg/kg PO, SC q24h1,12 Gerbils, hamsters
  0.5 mg/mL drinking water3 Hamsters/proliferative ileitis
  2.6 mg/mL drinking water3 Mice, rats, gerbils
Netilmicin 6-8 mg/kg SC, IM, IV divided q8-24h76 Chinchillas, guinea pigs/Pseudomonas
Nystatin 60,000-90,000 U/kg PO q12h × 7-10 days23 Chinchillas/gastrointestinal mycoses (not absorbed from gastrointestinal tract); can be used topically in case of dermatomycoses
Oxytetracycline 5 mg/kg IM q12h1,3 Guinea pigs/toxicity in guinea pigs reported73
  10 mg/kg PO q8h13,19 Gerbils
  10-20 mg/kg PO q8h13 Mice, rats/Tyzzer’s disease (mice); Mycoplasma pneumonia (rats)
  16 mg/kg SC q24h13,19 Hamsters
  50 mg/kg PO q12h19 Chinchillas, guinea pigs/toxicity in guinea pigs reported49
  60 mg/kg IM q3d78 All species
  100 mg/kg SC q24h78 All species
  0.25-1 mg/mL drinking water13,19 Hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils
  3 g/L in drinking water78 Chinchillas, guinea pigs/toxicity in guinea pigs reported72
Penicillin G — Do not use in guinea pigs, chinchillas
  22,000 U/kg SC, IM q24h66 Rats
Penicillin G (benzathine and procaine) — Do not use in guinea pigs
22,000 U/kg IM q24h66,81 Chinchillas (use with caution), hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats
Sulfadimethoxine 10-15 mg/kg PO q12h33 All species
Sulfamerazine 0.8 mg/mL drinking water3 Gerbils
  1 mg/mL drinking water3 Chinchillas, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats
  1 mg/4 g feed13 Mice, rats
Sulfamethazine 0.8 mg/mL drinking water3 Gerbils
  1 mg/mL drinking water3 Chinchillas, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats
Sulfaquinoxaline 0.25-1 mg/mL drinking water13 Mice, rats, chinchillas, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters
  0.05% feed13 Rats
Terbinafine 10-30 mg/kg PO q24h × 4-6 wk35 Most species/antifungal
Tetracycline 10 mg/kg PO q8-12h66 Guinea pigs/use with caution: toxicity reported72
  10 mg/kg PO q24h1 Guinea pigs/use with caution: toxicity reported72
  10-20 mg/kg PO q8-12h1,13 Hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, prairie dogs, chinchillas
  20 mg/kg IM q24h3 Gerbils
  0.32 mg/mL drinking water13 Chinchillas
  0.4 mg/mL drinking water × 10 days3,13,14 Hamsters/outbreaks of proliferative ileitis14
  0.7 mg/mL drinking water13 Guinea pigs/toxicity reported72
  2-5 mg/mL drinking water13 Gerbils, mice, rats
  0.1-0.5% feed × 14 days13 Rats
Trimethoprim/sulfa — Tissue necrosis may occur when given SC33
  15-30 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q12h1,19,33,66 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, prairie dogs
  48-96 mg/kg PO q24h1 Rats
Tylosin (Tylan, Elanco) 2-8 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q12h13,19 Hamsters/use with caution
  10 mg/kg PO, SC q12ha,19 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, mice, rats/toxicity reported in guinea pigs76
  10 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q24h18 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, gerbils, mice, rats/toxicity reported in guinea pigs76
  0.5 mg/mL (500 mg/L) drinking water17 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats/PD in rats;17 toxicity in hamsters reported3
Vancomycin 20 mg/kg PO q24h45 Tyzzer’s disease

•Chinchillas: penicillins (including ampicillin, amoxicillin), cephalosporins, clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin.


•Guinea pigs: penicillins (including ampicillin, amoxicillin), cefazolin, clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin, dihydrostreptomycin, streptomycin, bacitracin, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, tetracycline, tylosin.


•Hamsters: penicillins (including ampicillin, amoxicillin), cephalosporins, clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin, vancomycin, dihydrostreptomycin, streptomycin, bacitracin, oral gentamicin, tylosin.


a Antibiotic treatment can result in enteritis and antibiotic associated clostridial enterotoxemia, especially when antibiotics with a primary gram-positive spectrum are given. Incidence is higher when agents are given orally. Chinchillas, guinea pigs, and hamsters are most susceptible. Also, direct toxicity due to streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin occurs in gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, and mice. Procaine, included in some penicillin preparations, can be toxic to mice and guinea pigs. Guinea pigs and chinchillas are highly susceptible to the ototoxic effects of chloramphenicol and aminoglycosides at dosages above those recommended clinically. Antibiotics implicated in antibiotic-associated clostridial enterotoxemia include3,5,17,19,33,41,72,76



TABLE 8-2 Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents.
























































































































































































































































































Agent Dosage Comments
Albendazole 5 mg/kg PO q12h8 Guinea pigs
  25 mg/kg PO q12h × 2 days23 Chinchillas/giardiasis
Amitraz (Mitaban, Upjohn) 1.4 mL/L topical q7-14d × 3-6 treatments33,66 Gerbils, hamsters/demodecosis; apply with cottonball, brush; use with caution; not recommended in young
  0.3% solution topically q7d66 Guinea pigs
Carbaryl powder (5%) Topical q7d × 3 treatments3 Chinchillas, guinea pigs/ectoparasites
Dichlorvos strip (5 cm long) Suspend 15 cm above cage × 24 hr, then 2×/wk × 3 wk3 All species/ectoparasites
Dimetridazole 20-50 mg/kg PO q24h × 7 days8 Guinea pigs
  1 mg/mL drinking water3 Mice, rats/gastrointestinal protozoa; not available in the United States
Febantel 10 mg/kg PO q24h × 3 days25 Most species/nematodiasis
Fenbendazole 20-50 mg/kg PO q24h × 5 days2,14 All species/giardiasis; a lower dose is generally preferred
  0.3% feed × 14 days82 Mice/clinical trial for cestodes, pinworms
Fipronil (Frontline 9.8% [1 mL contains 98 mg], Merial) 7.5 mg/kg topically q30-60d77 Hamsters, mice, chipmunks/flea adulticide
3 mL/kg topically25 Guinea pig/safety not determined (use with caution)
Imidacloprid (Advantage, Bayer) ½ kitten dose topically66 Prairie dogs
20 mg/kg topically q30d25 Most species/flea control
Imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% (Advocate, Bayer) 0.1 mL/animal45 Guinea pigs-ectoparasites (i.e., fleas, biting lice, mites)
Ivermectin 0.2-0.4 mg/kg SC q7-14d65,66 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, prairie dogs, mice, rats/ectoparasites; preferred dosage appears to be 0.4 mg/kg q7d (higher doses have also been reported); for Demodex, use q5-7d
  0.5 mg/kg SC, repeat q14d73 Guinea pigs/sarcoptid mites
  Spray animals or topical drops, 4-5 times/yr7,33 Mice/clinical trial for mite control;7 use 1% ivermectin diluted 1:100 with 1:1 propylene glycol:water (0.1 mg/mL); sprayed onto mice or topical behind ear
  8 mg/L drinking water × 4 days/wk × 5 wk51 Mice/pinworms
  25 mg/L drinking water × 4 days/wk × 5 wk51 Rats/pinworms
Lime sulfur dip Dip q7d × 6 wk3 All species/ectoparasites; dilute 1:40 with water
Malathion powder (3-5%) Topical 3×/wk × 3 wk3 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats/ectoparasites
Malathion spray/dip Topical q7d × 3 treatments3 All species/ectoparasites; use 0.5% spray or 2% dip
Mebendazole 40 mg/kg PO q7d × 21 days1 Mice, rats/pinworms
  50-60 mg/kg PO q12h × 5 days8 Chinchillas, degus, chipmunks
Metronidazole 10-40 mg/animal q24h PO1 Rats
  25 mg/kg PO q12h66 Guinea pigs
  40 mg/kg PO q24h66 Prairie dogs
  50 mg/kg PO q12h × 5 days33,66 Chinchillas/giardiasis; use with caution
  70 mg/kg PO q8h1 Hamsters
  2.5 mg/mL drinking water × 5 days1 Mice, rats
Moxidectin — See imidacloprid
Nitenpyram (Capstar, Novartis) 1 mg/kg PO once26 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats/flystrike
Permethrin 0.25% dust in cage6 All species/ectoparasites
  Cotton ball soaked in 5% solution6 Most species/place in cage 4-5 wk
Piperazine adipate 200 mg/kg PO q24h × 7 days, off 7 days, on 7 days3 Rats/pinworms
  200-600 mg/kg PO q24h × 7 days, off 7 days, on 7 days3 Gerbils
  500 mg/kg PO q24h66 Chinchillas
  0.5 mg/mL drinking water × 21 days3 Rats/pinworms
  3-5 mg/mL drinking water × 7 days, off 7 days, on 7 days66 Hamsters
  4-7 mg/mL drinking water × 3-10 days66 Guinea pigs, mice, rats
Piperazine citrate 100 mg/kg PO q24h × 2 days66 Chinchillas
  2-5 mg/mL drinking water × 7 days, off 7 days, on 7 days3 All species/pinworms
  10 mg/mL drinking water × 7 days, off 7 days, on 7 days66 Guinea pigs, hamsters
Praziquantel (Droncit, Bayer) 6-10 mg/kg PO,33 SC,66 repeat in 10 days All species/cestodes
  30 mg/kg PO q14d × 3 treatments14 Gerbils, mice, rats
  140 ppm in feed for 7 days1 Mice
Propoxur Topical q7d25 Most species/flea control (cat and dog fleas are often resistant); carbamate
Pyrantel pamoate 50 mg/kg PO1 Most species/nematodiasis
Pyrethrin powder Topical 3×/wk × 3 wk3 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats/ectoparasites
  Topical q7d × 3 treatments3 Chinchillas, guinea pigs/ectoparasites
Pyrethrin shampoo (0.05%) Shampoo q7d × 4 treatments81 Hamsters, mice, rats/fleas
Quinacrine HCl 75 mg/kg q8h1 All species/giardiasis in chinchillas
Selamectin (Revolution, Pfizer) 6 mg/kg topically q30d8 Chinchillas, degus, chipmunks
20-30 mg/kg topically80 Guinea pigs
  15-30 mg/kg topically q21-28d × 2 treatments (q14d if Demodex)26 Most species/use 30 mg/kg with Sarcoptes
Sulfadimethoxine 10-15 mg/kg PO q12h33 All species/coccidiosis
  25-50 mg/kg PO q24h × 10 days66 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters/coccidiosis
  50 mg/kg PO once, then 25 mg/kg q24h × 10-20 days1 All species/coccidiosis
Sulfamerazine 0.8 mg/mL drinking water3 Gerbils/coccidiosis
  1 mg/mL drinking water3 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats/coccidiosis
Sulfamethazine 0.8 mg/mL drinking water3 Gerbils/coccidiosis
  1 mg/mL drinking water3 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats/coccidiosis
  1-5 mg/mL drinking water1 All species/coccidosis
Sulfaquinoxaline 1 mg/mL drinking water × 14-21 days1 All species/coccidiosis
Thiabendazole 50-100 mg/kg PO q24h × 5 days2 Chinchillas, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats/ascaridiasis
Tolturazil (Baycox, Bayer) 10 mg/kg PO q24h × 3 days, off 3 days, on 3 days25 Most species/drug of choice for coccidiosis; 2.5% solution has very low pH; needs to be diluted with equal parts water and propylene glycol (1:1:1);80 5% solution does not need to be diluted
  25 ppm/L drinking water8 Most species


TABLE 8-3 Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents.
































































































































































































































































































































Agent Dosage Comments
Acepromazine — See ketamine for combinations
  0.5-1 mg/kg IM33 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats/preanesthetic; causes seizures in gerbils
Atipamezole (Antisedan, Pfizer)a — Medetomidine reversal
1 mg/kg SC75 Guinea pigs, mice, rats
  1-2.5 mg/kg IP4,21 Mice, rats
Atropine 0.05-0.1 mg/kg SC33 All species/some rats possess serum atropinesterase
  0.1-0.2 mg/kg SC, IM6 Chinchillas, guinea pigs
  0.1-0.4 mg/kg SC, IM6,66 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats
Dexmedetomidineb (Dexdomitor, Orion) — α2 agonist similar to medetomidine;b see ketamine for combination
Diazepam — See fentanyl/fluanisone and ketamine for combinations
  0.5-3 mg/kg IM3 Guinea pigs/sedation
  1-5 mg/kg IM3,67 All species/sedation; guinea pigs/calming effect for intense pruritus or sows apprehensive of young
Enflurane To effect All species
Fentanyl/droperidol (Innovar-Vet, Mallinckrodt) — Sedation; anesthesia; dilute 1:10 to reduce chance of inflammation at injection site;3 irritation can result in self-mutilation; caution: do not use in gerbils or hamsters
  0.06-0.3 mL/kg IM6 Mice/sedation
  0.1-0.5 mL/kg IM3,6 Rats/sedation
  0.22-0.88 mL/kg IM3 Guinea pigs/sedation; inflammation at injection site at high end of dose range
Fentanyl/fluanisone (Hypnorm, Janssen) — Anesthesia
0.2-0.6 mL/kg IM, IP74 Mice, rats
  0.5-1 mL/kg IM74 Guinea pigs
Fentanyl/fluanisone (F)/diazepam (D) — Anesthesia; 45 to 60 min duration
(F) 0.4 mL/kg IP + (D) 2.5 mg/kg IP75 Rats
  (F) 0.4 mL/kg IP + (D) 5 mg/kg IP75 Mice
  (F) 1 mL/kg IM + (D) 2.5 mg/kg IM75 Guinea pigs
Fentanyl/fluanisone/midazolam — Anesthesia; 45 to 60 min duration; 1 part Hypnorm, 1 part midazolam, 2 part sterile water
  2.7 mL/kg75 IM, IP Rats
  8 mL/kg75 IM, IP Guinea pigs
  10 mL/kg75 IM, IP Mice
Glycopyrrolate 0.01-0.02 mg/kg SC43 All species/excess oral or respiratory mucus
Isoflurane 2-5% induction then 0.25-4% maintenance3,43 All species/inhalant anesthetic of choice
Ketamine — Ketamine combinations follow
  20-40 mg/kg IM3,66 Chinchillas, hamsters/light sedation; heavy sedation at higher doses in hamsters (marked individual variation)
  22 mg/kg IM3 Mice, rats/light sedation; heavy sedation at 44 mg/kg in mice and 25-40 mg/kg in rats
  22-44 mg/kg IM66 Guinea pigs/light sedation; heavy sedation at higher doses (marked individual variation)
  40-60 mg/kg IM3 Gerbils/light sedation; heavy sedation at higher doses (marked individual variation)
Ketamine (K)/acepromazine (A) (K) 40 mg/kg + (A) 0.5 mg/kg IM41,44,64 Chinchillas/anesthesia; acepromazine not for use in gerbils (prolonged recovery)
  (K) 50-150 mg/kg + (A) 2.5-5 mg/kg IM63 Mice, rats/lower end of doses preferred
Ketamine (K)/dexmedetomidine (De)c (K) 75 mg/kg + (De) 0.5 mg/kg IP4 Mice, rats
Ketamine (K)/diazepam (D) (K) 20-30 mg/kg + (D) 1-2 mg/kg IM72 Guinea pigs/anesthesia
  (K) 20-40 mg/kg + (D) 1-2 mg/kg IM41 Chinchillas/anesthesia
Ketamine (K)/medetomidine (Me) (K) 40 mg/kg + (Me) 0.5 mg/kg IM,75 IP46 Guinea pigs/20-30 min duration of anesthesia
  (K) 50-75 mg/kg + (Me) 1 mg/kg IP21 Mice/anesthesia; minor procedures; use the higher dose of ketamine in females; (Me) reversal is atipamezole
  (K) 75-90 mg/kg + (Me) 0.5 mg/kg IM, IP66,75 Rats, gerbils/surgical anesthesia 20-30 min duration
  (K) 75-90 mg/kg + (Me) 1 mg/kg IM, IP66 Mice
Ketamine (K)/midazolam (Mi) (K) 5-10 mg/kg + (Mi) 0.5-1 mg/kg IM66 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, prairie dogs
Ketamine (K)/xylazine (X) (K) 20-40 mg/kg + (X) 2 mg/kg IM33 Guinea pigs/light anesthesia
  (K) 35-40 mg/kg + (X) 4-8 mg/kg IM3 Chinchillas/anesthesia
  (K) 50 mg/kg + (X) 2 mg/kg IP3 Gerbils/anesthesia
  (K) 50 mg/kg + (X) 5 mg/kg IP33 Mice/anesthesia
  (K) 75-95 mg/kg + (X) 5 mg/kg IM, IP33 Rats/anesthesia
  (K) 80 mg/kg + (X) 5 mg/kg IM, IP33 Hamsters/anesthesia
Medetomidineb (Domitor, Pfizer) — See ketamine for combinations; not commercially availableb
  0.03-0.1 mg/kg SC50 Mice, rats/light to moderate sedation
  0.1 mg/kg SC50 Hamsters/light to moderate sedation
  0.1-0.2 mg/kg SC50 Gerbils/light to moderate sedation
  0.3 mg/kg SC50 Guinea pigs/variable effects
Midazolam — See ketamine for combination
  1-2 mg/kg IM33 All species/preanesthetic
Nalorphine 2-5 mg/kg IV3 All species/narcotic reversal
Naloxone 0.01-0.1 mg/kg SC, IP43 All species/narcotic reversal
Pentobarbital — Anesthesia; not recommended; marginal analgesia; autonomic depression; give diluted in sterile saline (<10 mg/mL)
  30-45 mg/kg IP33 Guinea pigs, rats
  35-40 mg/kg IP3 Chinchillas
  50-90 mg/kg IP33 Gerbils, hamsters, mice
Pipothiazine palmitate — Long-acting neuroleptic drug; antipsychotic (experimental)
  25 mg/kg SC q5wk61 Rats
Propofol — Anesthesia; induction
  3-5 mg/kg IV66 Guinea pigs, chinchillas, prairie dogs
  7.5-10 mg/kg IV28 Rats
  12-26 mg/kg IV28 Mice
Sevoflurane To effect66 Most species
Tiletamine/zolazepam (Telazol, Fort Dodge) — Tiletamine/zolazepam combinations follow
  20-40 mg/kg IM24,41,44 Chinchillas, rats/anesthesia
  50-80 mg/kg IM63 Mice, rats
Tiletamine/zolazepam (T)/xylazine (X) (T) 20 mg/kg + (X) 10 mg/kg IP43 Gerbils/anesthesia
  (T) 30 mg/kg + (X) 10 mg/kg IM, IP33 Hamsters/anesthesia
Xylazine — See ketamine, tiletamine/zolazepam for combinations
  5-10 mg/kg SC, IM, IP63 Most species/may cause muscle necrosis when given IM
Yohimbine (Yobine, Lloyd) 0.5-1 mg/kg IV33 All species/xylazine reversal

Use stock solution (rat):


Ketamine (100 mg/mL) = 3 mL


Dexmedetomidine (0.5 mg/mL) = 0.1 mL


Sterile water = 4.9 mL


a Atipamezole: to make 0.25 mg/mL stock solution, make a 1:20 dilution; add 1 mL atipamezole to 19 mL sterile water; give 0.1 mL SC or IP of 0.25 mg/mL stock solution to 10 g of mouse. Rat dosage: make 0.25 mg/mL stock solution, as described above; give 0.6 mL per 150 g rat weight SC or IP.


b Medetomidine is no longer commercially available although it can be obtained from select compounding services (i.e., Diamondback Drugs, www.diamondbackdrugs.com; Wildlife Pharmaceuticals,www.wildpharm.com). Dexmedetomidine is an α2 agonist that is the active optical enantiomer of racemic compound medetomidine. Usually ½ the dose of medetomidine is needed but it remains the same volume due to concentration differences; the same effects can be expected as with medetomidine but there is limited data on the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine in rodents; the effects of the v / v use of the two drugs may not be equivalent, so the dose of dexmedetomidine may need to be adjusted based on clinical response.


c Use stock solution (mice):


From above made solution, give 0.1 mL/10 g of mouse IP (= 0.2 mL/20 g mouse; 0.3 mL/30 g mouse).From above made solution, give 0.2 mL/100 g of rat IP.



TABLE 8-4 Analgesic Agents Used in Rodents.



























































































































































































































































Agent Dosage Comments
Acetaminophen (Tylenol syrup, McNeil) 200 mg/kg PO1 Mice, rats
1-2 mg/mL drinking water43 All
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) — Analgesia; antipyretic; nonsteroidal antiinflammatory
  50-100 mg/kg PO q4h37 Guinea pigs
  100 mg/kg PO q48h50 Rats
  100-150 mg/kg PO q4h37 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats
  100-200 mg/kg PO q6-8h50 Chinchillas
  120 mg/kg PO q4h50,54 Mice
  240 mg/kg PO q24h81 Gerbils, hamsters
Buprenorphine 0.02-0.5 mg/kg SC, IV, IP q6-12h33 Rats
  0.05 mg/kg SC, IM55 Rats/combine with carprofen (5-10 mg/kg PO)
  0.05-0.1 mg/kg SC q6-12h81 All species
  0.1-0.2 mg/kg SC q8h33 Gerbils
  0.5 mg/kg SC q8h33 Hamsters
Butorphanol 0.2-2 mg/kg SC, IM, IP q2-4h33,46,66,70 Mice, rats, chinchillas, guinea pigs
  1-5 mg/kg SC q4h37,66 Gerbils, hamsters, mice
Carprofen (Rimadyl, Pfizer) — Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory
1 mg/kg PO q12-24h66 Prairie dogs
  1-4 mg/kg/PO q12-24h24,52 Guinea pigs
  1.5 mg/kg PO q12h70 Rats
  2-5 mg/kg PO, SC q12-24h66 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, mice, rats
  5 mg/kg SC q24h70 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats
  5-10 mg/kg PO55 Rats/can combine with buprenorphine (0.05 mg/kg SC, IM)
Codeine — Narcotic
  10-20 mg/kg SC q6h81 Mice
  60 mg/kg SC q4h81 Rats
Etomidate 1-2 mg/kg IV53 Most species/use with benzodiazepine to prevent seizures; short-acting induction agent
Flunixin meglumine — Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory; give only if animal is well hydrated
  0.3-2 mg/kg PO, IM, IV q12-24h70 Mice
  1-3 mg/kg SC, IM q12h40,41 Chinchillas
  1.1-2.5 mg/kg SC, IM q12h70 Rats
  2.5 mg/kg SC q12-24h37 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats
  2.5-5 mg/kg SC q12-24h37 Guinea pigs
Gabapentin 50 mg/kg PO q24h31 Hamsters
Ibuprofen — Antiinflammatory
  7-15 mg/kg PO q4h33 Mice
  10 mg/kg PO q4h33 Guinea pigs
  10-30 mg/kg PO q4h27,33,48 Rats
Ketoprofen 1 mg/kg SC, IM q12-24h66 Chinchillas, guinea pigs
  1-3 mg/kg SC, IM q12-24h66 Prairie dogs/doses of 3-5 mg/kg have been used
  5 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q24h27,66,67 Most species
Meloxicam (Metacam, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica) — Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory
≥0.5 mg/kg PO, SC q24h66 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils
  1-2 mg/kg PO, SC q24h24,66,68 Rats
  1-5 mg/kg PO, SC q24h66 Mice
Meperidine 10-20 mg/kg SC, IM q2-3h27 Guinea pigs, mice, rats
  20 mg/kg SC, IM q2-3h37 Gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats
Morphine — Narcotic
  2-5 mg/kg SC, IM q4h37,66,81 Chinchillas, guinea pigs, mice, rats
  2-5 mg/kg SC, IM q2-4h66 Gerbils, hamsters
Nalbuphine (Nubain, Endo Labs) 1-2 mg/kg IM q3h37 Guinea pigs
4-8 mg/kg IM q3h37 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats
Oxymorphone — Narcotic
  0.2-0.5 mg/kg SC, IM q6-12h37 Gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats
Pentazocine (Talwin, Sanofi Winthrop) 10 mg/kg SC q24h37 Gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats
Pethidine 10-20 mg/kg SC, IM q2-3h42 Guinea pigs
Piroxicam — Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory
  3.4-20 mg/kg PO85 Mice
Tramadol 5 mg/kg IM32 Rats
  5-10 mg/kg PO q12-24h57 All species
  5-20 mg/kg PO, SC q12-24h66 Rats
  5-40 mg/kg SC, IP4,36 Mice


TABLE 8-5 Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rodents.







































































Agent Dosage Comments
Atenolol 0.2-2 mg/kg PO q24h45 Most species/beta-blocker; hypertension and tachyarrhythmias
Atropine 0.05-0.5 mg/kg1,45 SC, IM All species/preanesthetic, cardiac problems
  10 mg/kg SC q20min33 All species/organophosphate toxicity; may cause cardiovascular irregularities in guinea pigs
Benazepril <0.1 mg/kg PO q24h45 Most species/ACE inhibitor; heart failure, hypertension, and chronic renal failure
Digoxin 0.05-0.1 mg/kg PO q12-24h65 Hamsters/dilated cardiomyopathy
Diltiazem 0.5-1 mg/kg PO q12-24h45 Most species/Ca channel blocker; hypertension and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Dopamine 0.08 mg/kg IV prn52 Guinea pigs/hypotension, especially anesthetic related
Enalapril 0.5-1 mg/kg PO q24h26 Most species/ACE inhibitor; heart failure
Epinephrine 0.003 mg/kg IV prn52 Guinea pigs/cardiac arrest
  0.1 mg/kg IV66 Most species
Furosemide 0.3-4 mg/kg PO, SC, IM, IV q12-24h45 Most species/congestive heart failure
Glyceryl trinitrate ointment (2%) 3 mm strip applied to inner pinna q6-12h45 Most species/congestive heart failure
Glycopyrrolate 0.01-0.1 mg/kg SC, IM, IV43 Most species/anticholinergic agent used for bradycardia; premedication
Lidocaine 1-2 mg/kg IV or 2-4 mg/kg IT45 Most species/arrhythmias
Pimobendan 0.2-0.4 mg/kg PO q12h62 Most species/inodilator for treating heart failure
Taurine 100 mg/kg PO q12h × 8 wk45 Most species/cardiomyopathy


TABLE 8-6 Emergency Drugs Used in Rodents.



















































































































Agent Dosage Comments
Atropine 0.05-0.1 mg/kg SC33 All species/bradycardia; some rats possess serum atropinase
  0.1-0.2 mg/kg SC, IM3 Chinchillas, guinea pigs
  0.4 mg/kg SC, IM3 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats
  10 mg/kg SC q20min33 All species/organophosphate toxicity
Calcium gluconate 100 mg/kg IM39 Guinea pigs/dystocia; follow with 1 U oxytocin (see Table 8-7)
  100 mg/kg IP77 Chinchillas/hypocalcemic tetany; eclampsia
Dexamethasone — All species/antiinflammatory
  0.5-2 mg/kg SC, IM, IV66 Use with caution in guinea pigs and chinchillas
  0.6 mg/kg IM1 Guinea pigs/pregnancy toxemia
  4-5 mg/kg SC, IM, IP, IV65 Shock
Diazepam 1-2 mg/kg IM76 Guinea pigs/calming effect for intense pruritus
  1-5 mg/kg IM, IV, IP, IO65 All/treatment of seizures
Diphenhydramine — Antihistamine; anaphylaxis
  1-2 mg/kg PO, SC q12h66 All species
  1-5 mg/kg SC52,66 prn Guinea pigs
Dopamine 0.08 mg/kg IV52 Guinea pigs/hypotension
Doxapram — Respiratory stimulant
  2-5 mg/kg IV, IP33 Guinea pigs
  5-10 mg/kg IV, IP33 Chinchillas, gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats
Ephedrine 1 mg/kg IV52 Guinea pigs/antihistamine; stimulant
Epinephrine 0.003 mg/kg IV52 Guinea pigs/cardiac arrest
Furosemide — Diuretic for edema, pulmonary congestion, ascites
  1-4 mg/kg SC, IM q4-6h35 All species
  5-10 mg/kg SC, IM q12h2,35 All species
Glycopyrrolate 0.01-0.02 mg/kg SC43 All species/bradycardia
Lactated Ringer’s solution 10-25 mL/kg IV69 Most species/give slowly over 5-10 min (if unsuccessful, administer IP)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 50-100 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q24h66,76 Guinea pigs/ascorbic acid deficiency (scurvy)


TABLE 8-7 Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents.











































































































































































































































































































































Agent Dosage Comments
Acetylcysteine 3 mg/kg PO, SC q12h26 Most species/injectable can be used for nebulization
Activated charcoal 1 g/kg PO80 Most species/use only in cases of toxicity (not with general diarrhea)
Aluminum hydroxide 20-40 mg/animal PO prn76 Guinea pigs/hyperphosphatemia caused by renal failure
Aminophylline 50 mg/kg PO, SC1,66 Guinea pigs
Atropine (1%)/phenylephrine (10%) Topical to eyes33 All species/mydriasis for non-albino eyes
Barium sulfate (1000 mg/mL) 5-10 mL/kg PO80 Most species/contrast studies; might need to be diluted with water (1:1)
Cabergoline 5 μg/kg PO q2h × 5 days80 Most species/pseudopregnancy
  0.6 mg/kg PO, SC q72h59 Rats/pituitary tumor
Calcium EDTA 30 mg/kg SC q12h41,66 All species/lead chelation
Chlorpheniramine maleate 0.6 mg/kg PO q24h1 Guinea pigs/antihistamine
Cimetidine 5-10 mg/kg PO, SC, IM, IV q6-12h2 All species/gastric, duodenal ulceration; esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux
Cisapride (Propulsid, Janssen) 0.1-0.5 mg/kg PO q12h66 All species/enhance gastrointestinal motility; not commercially available in the United States; can be compounded
  0.5 mg/kg PO q8-12h66 Chinchillas, guinea pigs
Cyclophosphamide 300 mg/kg IP q24h52 Guinea pigs/antineoplastic
Dexamethasone — Antiinflammatory
  0.5-2 mg/kg PO, SC, then decreasing dose q12h × 3-14 days33 All species
  0.6 mg/kg IM3 All species
Diphenhydramine — Antihistamine; anaphylaxis
  1-2 mg/kg PO, SC q12h66 Chinchillas, hamsters, mice, rats
  5 mg/kg SC prn52 Guinea pigs
Diphenylhydantoin 25-50 mg/kg q12h45 Most species/seizures
Ephedrine 1 mg/kg PO, IV prn52 Guinea pigs/antihistamine; anaphylaxis
Fluoxetine (Prozac, Eli Lilly/Dista) 5-10 mg/kg PO q24h45 Most species/for behavioral problems (i.e., fur chewing)
Furosemide — Diuretic for pulmonary congestion, edema, ascites
  1-4 mg/kg IM q4-6h35 All species
  2-5 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q12h66 Chinchillas, guinea pigs
  2-10 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q12h66 Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats
  5-10 mg/kg SC, IM q12h2,35 All species
GnRH 20 μg/animal IM once29 Ovarian cysts
  25 μg/animal q14d × 2 treatments56 Guinea pigs/ovarian cysts
Heparin 5 mg/kg IV prn52 Guinea pigs/disseminated intravascular coagulation
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) 1000 U/animal IM, repeat in 7-10 days72 Guinea pigs/cystic ovaries
Hydralazine 1 mg/kg IV prn52 Guinea pigs/hypertension
Insulin 1 U/kg SC q12h to adjust, then 0.1 U/kg as required45 Chinchillas
  1-2 U/animal SC q12h66 Guinea pigs
  1-3 U/animal SC66 Rats
  2 U/animal SC52,66 Hamsters, gerbils
Iodine, I-131 (radioactive) 1 mCi/animal SC once58 Guinea pigs/hyperthyroidism
Kaolin pectin 0.2 mL PO q6-8h1 Guinea pigs/antidiarrheal
Lactated Ringer’s solution 10-25 mL/kg IV bolus over 5-10 min1 Most species/warm to 37°C (99°F)
  50-100 mL/kg SC, IV, IO q24h69 All species/maintenance fluid requirements
Lactobacilli — All species/PO during antibiotic treatment period, then 5-7 days beyond cessation;19 give 2 hr prior to or 2 hr following antibiotic treatment19
Lactulose 0.5 mL/kg PO q12h45 Most species/hepatic disorders; use with milk thistle
Leuprolide acetate depot (Lupron Depot, TAP Pharmaceuticals) 0.2-0.3 mg/kg IM q28d67 Guinea pigs/cystic ovaries
Levothyroxine 5 μg/kg PO q12h45 Most species/hypothyroidism
Loperamide 0.1 mg/kg PO q8h × 3 days, then q24h × 2 days33 All species/enteropathies (diarrhea); give in 1 mL water
Magnesium hydroxide 4 mg/kg PO45 Helps prevent formation of calcium uroliths
Methimazole 0.5-2 mg/kg PO q24h58 Guinea pigs/hyperthyroidism
Metoclopramide 0.2-1 mg/kg PO, SC, IM q12h65 All species/gastric stasis
Metyrapone 8 mg/animal PO q24h × 4 wk45 Hamsters/hyperadrenocorticism
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) 4-15 mg/kg PO q8-12h45 Most species/hepatic disorders
Mitotane 5 mg/animal PO q24h × 4 wk45 Hamsters/hyperadrenocorticism
Neomycin/dexamethasone/polymyxin B ophthalmic (Maxitrol, Alcon) Topical to eyes q8-12h65 All species/ophthalmic preparation; may cause gastrointestinal stasis secondary to steroids
Oxytocin 0.2-3 U/kg SC, IM, IV3 All species/delayed parturition if unobstructed; caution in guinea pigs: fusion of pubic symphysis occurs if first breeding does not occur before 6-9 mo of age, resulting in dystocia; if no young produced 15 min following 1 U/animal, cesarean section is indicated
  1 U/kg SC, IM1 Rats
  1-2 U/animal IM1 Guinea pigs/uterine contraction; milk letdown
  6.25 U/kg SC1 Mice/milk letdown
Phenobarbital 5-20 mg/kg PO, IV, IP52,66 Guinea pigs/antiseizure medication; sedative
Potassium citrate 10-30 mg/kg PO q12h66 Guinea pigs
Prednisone 0.5-2.2 mg/kg PO, SC, IM3,66 All species/antiinflammatory
Pseudoephedrine 1.2 mg/animal PO q12h77 Chinchillas/nasal and sinus decongestant
Simethicone 70 mg/kg PO prn80 Most species/gastrointestinal bloat
Sucralfate (Carafate, Hoechst Marion Roussel) 25-100 mg/kg PO q8-12h63,66 All species/oral, esophageal, gastric, and duodenal ulcers
Theophylline 10 mg/kg PO q8-12h66 Prairie dogs
Thiamine 1 mg/kg feed45 Most species/thiamine deficiency
Toremifene 12 mg/kg PO q24h45 Rats/pituitary hyperplasia/adenoma
Trilostane 2-4 mg/kg PO q24h45 Hyperadrenocorticism
Tropicamide (1%) Topical to eyes33 All species/mydriasis in albino eyes
Vitamin A 50-500 U/kg IM52 Guinea pigs, hamsters
  2000 U/animal45 Chinchillas/hypovitaminosis A
  2 μg vitamin A palmitate/g feed1 Hamsters
  10 mg β-carotene/kg of feed1 Guinea pigs
Vitamin B complex (small animal) 0.02-0.2 mL/kg SC, IM3,79 All species/B1 (100 mg/mL), B2 (2 mg/mL), B12 (0.1 mg/mL)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 10-30 mg/kg PO, SC, IM1 Guinea pigs/maintenance
  20-200 mg/kg SC, IM2 Guinea pigs/treatment of deficiency
  50-100 mg/animal PO, SC daily72 Guinea pigs/treatment of deficiency; start parenteral, then PO until resolution of clinical signs
  0.2-0.4 mg/mL drinking water72 Guinea pigs/prevents deficiency; change daily
Vitamin D 200-400 U/kg SC, IM3 All species
Vitamin E/selenium (Bo-Se, Schering) 0.1 mL/100-250 g SC3 All species
Vitamin K1 1-10 mg/kg IM q24h × 4-6 days33 All species/warfarin poisoning; menadiols not used in acute cases
  2.5-5 mg/kg IM q24h × 21-28 days33 All species/brodifacom poisoning; menadiols not used in acute cases


TABLE 8-8 Common and Scientific Names of Rodents.33



























































Common Name Other Common Names Scientific Name
Chinchilla Long-tailed chinchilla Chinchilla laniger
Chipmunk Siberian chipmunk; Korean chipmunk; Japanese squirrel Tamias sibiricus (Eutamias sibericus)
Degu Common degu Octodon degus
Duprasi Fat-tailed gerbil Pachyuromys duprasi
Gerbil Mongolian gerbil; clawed jird Meriones unguiculatus
Guinea pig Cavy Cavia porcellus
Hamster, Chinese Striped hamster Cricetulus griseus
Hamster, dwarf Russian dwarf hamster Phodopus sungorus sungorus
Hamster, golden Syrian hamster; common hamster Mesocricetus auratus
Jird Shaw’s jird Meriones shawi
Mouse Common mouse Mus musculus
Prairie dog Black-tailed prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus
Rat Brown rat Rattus norvegicus



TABLE 8-9 Hematologic and Serum Biochemical Values of Rodents.3,18,63,83

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Aug 21, 2016 | Posted by in EXOTIC, WILD, ZOO | Comments Off on Rodents

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