How do you give a rat a tablet? - briefly
Crush the tablet into a fine powder, blend it thoroughly with a small amount of palatable food such as soft fruit or chow, and ensure the rat consumes the entire mixture; alternatively, use a calibrated oral gavage needle to deliver the dissolved tablet directly into the stomach. Verify ingestion by observing the rat eat the treat or by confirming the gavage needle placement before administration.
How do you give a rat a tablet? - in detail
Administering an oral tablet to a laboratory rat requires preparation, proper handling, and careful observation to ensure accurate dosing and animal welfare.
First, select a tablet size compatible with the rat’s body weight. For small rodents, tablets may need to be split, crushed, or compounded into a suspension. Use a calibrated tablet splitter or a mortar and pestle for precise division. If crushing, mix the powder with a small volume of palatable vehicle (e.g., flavored gelatin, peanut butter, or a sucrose solution) to form a bite‑size bolus.
Second, restrain the animal without causing stress. Place the rat in a clean, padded restrainer or gently hold it on a soft surface with one hand supporting the torso and the other hand securing the forepaws. Keep the head slightly elevated to facilitate swallowing.
Third, deliver the dose:
- If using a whole or split tablet, position it on the rat’s tongue using a blunt‑ended forceps or a small spoon. Allow the animal to chew and swallow voluntarily.
- If using a crushed‑in‑vehicle mixture, shape the paste into a small lump (approximately 0.2 ml) and place it near the back of the tongue, encouraging the rat to ingest it.
- For a liquid suspension, draw the exact volume into a calibrated oral gavage tube (size 20–22 G, length appropriate for the rat’s size). Insert the tube gently along the palate, avoiding the trachea, and dispense the solution steadily.
Fourth, monitor the rat for 5–10 minutes after dosing. Observe for signs of regurgitation, choking, or distress. Record the time of administration and any adverse reactions in the animal’s log.
Finally, clean all equipment with mild detergent and disinfectants to prevent cross‑contamination. Store any remaining tablet material in a labeled, sealed container at the recommended temperature.
By following these steps—appropriate tablet preparation, humane restraint, precise delivery, and post‑administration monitoring—researchers can reliably give a rat an oral tablet while minimizing stress and ensuring dosage accuracy.