How should activated charcoal be given to rats? - briefly
Administer a single oral dose of activated charcoal (1–2 g per kilogram of body weight) via a calibrated gavage needle, suspending the charcoal in sterile water. Monitor the rat for at least 30 minutes to confirm retention before returning it to its cage.
How should activated charcoal be given to rats? - in detail
Activated charcoal must be prepared as a uniform aqueous suspension before delivery to laboratory rats. A typical concentration ranges from 10 % w/v (100 mg ml⁻¹) to 20 % w/v (200 mg ml⁻¹), depending on the intended dose and the volume that can be administered safely. The suspension should be mixed with sterile water, vortexed, and filtered through a 0.22 µm membrane to remove clumps that could obstruct feeding tubes.
Dosage
- Standard therapeutic dose: 1–2 g kg⁻¹ body weight.
- For acute poisoning, a single dose of 2 g kg⁻¹ is common; repeat dosing may be required after 4–6 h if the toxin persists.
- Adjust the dose for juvenile or compromised animals according to body condition and veterinary guidance.
Routes of administration
- Oral gavage: Preferred for precise dosing. Use a flexible, stainless‑steel gavage needle (size 16–18 G for adult rats). Load the calculated volume of suspension (typically 1–2 ml kg⁻¹) into a sterile syringe and deliver slowly to avoid aspiration.
- In‑feed or in‑water supplementation: Suitable for prolonged treatment. Mix the suspension into standard chow or drinking water at a concentration that delivers the target dose based on average daily intake (≈20 g food or 30 ml water per 250 g rat). Ensure homogeneity and replace the mixture daily.
- Rectal administration: Considered only when oral routes are contraindicated. Introduce 0.5–1 ml of suspension into the distal colon using a lubricated catheter; retain for 5 min before removal.
Preparation steps
- Weigh activated charcoal powder to achieve the desired concentration.
- Add sterile, de‑ionized water to the powder; stir vigorously for at least 5 min.
- Allow the suspension to settle for 2 min, then decant the supernatant to eliminate large particles.
- Perform a sterility check if the product will be stored longer than 24 h.
- Label with concentration, preparation time, and expiration.
Animal handling
- Restrain rats gently but securely during gavage to prevent injury.
- Observe for signs of distress (e.g., respiratory difficulty, vomiting) immediately after dosing.
- Record body weight, dose volume, and any adverse reactions in the study log.
- Provide access to fresh water and food post‑administration; monitor intake for at least 12 h.
Safety and compliance
- Conduct all procedures under an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approved protocol.
- Wear disposable gloves and eye protection when handling charcoal, as fine particles are irritant.
- Dispose of waste according to biohazard regulations; decontaminate work surfaces with 70 % ethanol after each session.
Following this protocol ensures accurate, reproducible delivery of activated charcoal to rats, maximizes adsorption of ingested toxins, and maintains animal welfare throughout the experimental or therapeutic intervention.