How do you give an inhalation treatment to a rat? - briefly
Place the rat in a sealed exposure chamber and deliver a calibrated aerosol of the therapeutic agent with a nebulizer at a defined flow rate for the prescribed duration. Monitor respiration and maintain the target concentration throughout the treatment.
How do you give an inhalation treatment to a rat? - in detail
Administering an inhalation therapy to a laboratory rat involves preparation of the aerosol system, animal handling, exposure monitoring, and post‑treatment care.
The aerosol generator must be calibrated to produce particles within the 1–5 µm range, ensuring deposition in the lower respiratory tract. Use a nebulizer compatible with the chosen drug solution, typically sterile saline or a carrier with the active compound at the required concentration. Verify output flow rate (e.g., 0.5–1 L min⁻¹) with a calibrated flowmeter.
Animal handling begins with acclimatization to the exposure chamber. Place the rat in a restraint device that allows free breathing while preventing escape. The chamber should be airtight, constructed of clear material for visual inspection, and equipped with ports for aerosol inlet and exhaust. Maintain chamber temperature at 22 ± 2 °C and relative humidity at 50 ± 10 %.
Exposure procedure:
- Load the nebulizer with the prepared solution and start the aerosol generation.
- Adjust flow to achieve the target concentration, confirming with an inline particle counter or gravimetric sampler.
- Initiate exposure for the prescribed duration (commonly 10–30 min), recording real‑time concentration data.
- Observe the animal for signs of distress; terminate exposure immediately if severe respiratory difficulty occurs.
After exposure, transfer the rat to a recovery cage with fresh air, monitor respiration and behavior for at least 30 min, and document any adverse effects. Clean and disinfect the chamber and nebulizer according to institutional biosafety protocols before the next use.