How should Unidox Solutab be administered to a rat? - briefly
Administer Unidox Solutab to rats by oral gavage as a freshly prepared aqueous suspension, dosing according to body weight (e.g., 2 mg kg⁻¹). Deliver the suspension at a volume of 1 mL kg⁻¹ using a calibrated gavage needle.
How should Unidox Solutab be administered to a rat? - in detail
Unidox Solutab should be delivered to laboratory rats by oral gavage using a sterile, calibrated dosing syringe fitted with a flexible gavage needle. Prepare the suspension immediately before dosing: dissolve the required amount of Unidox Solutab in a suitable aqueous vehicle (e.g., sterile distilled water or 0.9 % saline) to achieve a concentration that permits dosing volumes of 5–10 mL kg⁻¹. Verify complete dissolution by gentle vortexing; avoid excessive agitation that could generate foam.
Calculate the dose based on the animal’s body weight measured to the nearest gram. For example, a 250‑g rat receiving 10 mg kg⁻¹ requires 2.5 mg of active ingredient. Using a 5 mg mL⁻¹ suspension, the administered volume would be 0.5 mL, well within the acceptable range.
Administer the dose as follows:
- Restrain the rat gently but firmly, supporting the neck and back.
- Insert the gavage needle along the midline of the tongue, advancing until the tip reaches the esophagus without forcing.
- Deliver the calculated volume slowly (approximately 1 mL s⁻¹) to minimize stress and aspiration risk.
- Withdraw the needle carefully and observe the animal for 2–3 minutes to ensure normal respiration and absence of regurgitation.
Post‑administration monitoring should include:
- Observation of behavior, activity level, and signs of distress at 15‑minute intervals for the first hour, then hourly for the next 4 hours.
- Recording of body temperature and weight before dosing and at 24 hours post‑dose.
- Documentation of any adverse reactions (e.g., vomiting, lethargy, respiratory difficulty).
Maintain a log that details animal identifier, weight, calculated dose, suspension concentration, administered volume, time of dosing, and any observations. Store any unused suspension at 2‑8 °C and discard after 24 hours to prevent degradation.