How do you administer furosemide tablets to a rat? - briefly
Dissolve the tablet in sterile water to obtain the required mg/kg concentration and administer the solution by oral gavage with a calibrated feeding needle. Verify the dose by weighing the rat and adjusting the gavage volume accordingly.
How do you administer furosemide tablets to a rat? - in detail
Administering furosemide tablets to a laboratory rat requires precise dosing, proper preparation of the drug, and a reliable delivery method. Follow these steps to ensure consistency and animal welfare.
Calculate the dose based on the animal’s body weight. Typical therapeutic ranges for furosemide in rats are 1–5 mg kg⁻¹. Multiply the selected dose by the rat’s weight (in kilograms) to obtain the total amount of drug needed for each individual.
Prepare the medication:
- Crush the required number of tablets in a clean mortar until a fine powder is obtained.
- Transfer the powder to a calibrated syringe or micro‑pipette tube.
- Add sterile saline (0.9 % NaCl) or distilled water to achieve a final volume that allows accurate dosing (e.g., 0.1 mL per 100 g body weight). Vortex briefly to create a homogeneous suspension.
- If the suspension is unstable, prepare fresh immediately before use to prevent degradation.
Select the delivery route:
- Oral gavage is the most reproducible method. Use a flexible gavage needle (22–20 G, 1–2 cm length) appropriate for the rat’s size. Load the suspension into a calibrated gavage syringe, ensuring no air bubbles remain.
- Voluntary ingestion may be used for less stressful administration. Place the suspension on a small piece of moist chow or a palatable carrier (e.g., peanut butter) and allow the rat to consume it voluntarily, confirming complete intake.
Perform the administration:
- Restrain the rat gently but securely, either by hand or using a restraining device, to prevent injury.
- Insert the gavage needle along the midline of the esophagus, taking care to avoid the trachea. Advance the needle until the tip reaches the stomach, typically 2–3 cm in adult rats.
- Depress the syringe plunger slowly to deliver the entire volume. Observe the animal for signs of regurgitation or distress.
- Withdraw the needle carefully, monitor the rat for a few minutes, and return it to its cage.
Record the exact dose, time of administration, and any observed reactions. Repeat the procedure at the prescribed interval, maintaining consistent timing to reduce variability in pharmacokinetic data.