How to give charcoal to a rat? - briefly
Administer activated charcoal by mixing the correct dose (about 0.1 g per 100 g of body weight) into a small portion of wet food or water, making sure the rat eats it completely. Monitor the rat for adverse reactions and seek veterinary advice if vomiting or diarrhea develops.
How to give charcoal to a rat? - in detail
Administering activated charcoal to a laboratory rat requires preparation, dosage calculation, and a safe delivery method.
First, select food‑grade activated charcoal and grind it to a fine powder to ensure uniform suspension. Mix the powder with a small volume of warm water (approximately 0.5 ml per gram of charcoal) and stir until a homogenous slurry forms. The mixture should be free of clumps that could obstruct the animal’s airway.
Second, calculate the appropriate dose. Typical therapeutic ranges for rodents are 50–100 mg of charcoal per kilogram of body weight. Weigh the rat accurately, then multiply its mass (kg) by the chosen dosage to obtain the required amount of charcoal (mg). Convert this value to the corresponding volume of the prepared slurry using the known concentration (e.g., 200 mg/ml).
Third, choose a delivery technique. The most reliable options are:
- Oral gavage: use a flexible, appropriately sized feeding needle (20–22 G) to introduce the slurry directly into the stomach. Insert the needle gently along the midline of the tongue, advance until resistance is felt, then dispense the calculated volume slowly.
- Syringe feeding: attach a 1 ml syringe with a blunt cannula to the same feeding needle and administer the slurry in a single, steady push.
During the procedure, restrain the rat securely but gently to prevent injury. Hold the animal in a supine position, support the neck, and keep the head slightly elevated to reduce the risk of aspiration. After delivery, observe the rat for at least five minutes, ensuring normal breathing and swallowing. Offer a small amount of water or moist food to aid passage of the charcoal through the gastrointestinal tract.
Finally, monitor the animal for any adverse signs—vomiting, lethargy, or respiratory distress—for at least 24 hours. Record the dosage, method, and observations in the animal’s health log to maintain accurate experimental documentation.