How much antibiotic should be given to a rat? - briefly
A typical dosage for most antibiotics in rats is 10–20 mg per kilogram of body weight, administered orally or subcutaneously once or twice daily depending on the drug’s pharmacokinetics. Adjust the exact amount according to the specific antibiotic, the infection severity, and established veterinary guidelines.
How much antibiotic should be given to a rat? - in detail
Determining the correct antibiotic amount for a laboratory rat requires consideration of species‑specific pharmacokinetics, body weight, infection type, and the drug’s pharmacodynamic properties. Dosage is expressed as milligrams of active ingredient per kilogram of body mass (mg /kg). The calculation proceeds by measuring the animal’s weight, selecting a validated dosing regimen for the chosen antimicrobial, and applying the formula: dose (mg) = weight (kg) × recommended mg /kg.
Typical dosing ranges for common veterinary antibiotics in rodents are:
- Enrofloxacin – 10–20 mg /kg, administered orally or subcutaneously every 24 h.
- Ciprofloxacin – 15–30 mg /kg, oral or intraperitoneal, twice daily for severe infections.
- Amoxicillin‑clavulanate – 30–50 mg /kg of amoxicillin component, oral suspension, every 12 h.
- Gentamicin – 4–6 mg /kg, subcutaneous or intramuscular, once daily; monitor renal function.
- Doxycycline – 5–10 mg /kg, oral gavage, once daily; avoid prolonged use due to gastrointestinal irritation.
Key procedural points:
- Weight measurement – Use a calibrated scale; record to the nearest gram.
- Drug preparation – Dilute to a concentration that permits accurate dosing with the chosen delivery volume (generally ≤0.2 mL per 100 g body weight to avoid distress).
- Administration route – Choose oral gavage for systemic exposure, subcutaneous injection for rapid absorption, or intraperitoneal injection for drugs with poor oral bioavailability.
- Frequency and duration – Follow the pathogen‑specific regimen; typical courses last 5–7 days, extending to 10–14 days for deep‑tissue infections.
- Safety monitoring – Observe for signs of toxicity (e.g., lethargy, weight loss, renal impairment); adjust dose if adverse effects appear.
Reference sources such as the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and peer‑reviewed pharmacology texts provide validated dosing tables. When deviating from standard protocols, conduct a pilot study to confirm therapeutic plasma concentrations and tolerability.