What medicines can be given to a rat? - briefly
Approved veterinary drugs for rats include antibiotics such as «enrofloxacin» and «amoxicillin», analgesics like «buprenorphine» and «meloxicam», antiparasitics such as «fenbendazole», and supportive treatments such as vitamin B complex and electrolyte solutions. Dosage must follow veterinary guidelines and be adjusted for the animal’s weight and health condition.
What medicines can be given to a rat? - in detail
Rats respond to a limited range of pharmaceutical agents that have been evaluated for safety and efficacy in laboratory or pet rodents. Selection of a drug depends on the condition being treated, the animal’s weight, and the route of administration. Veterinary oversight is essential because many human medicines are toxic to rodents.
Antibiotics commonly used include:
- Enrofloxacin: 5–10 mg/kg, subcutaneous or oral, effective against gram‑negative infections; avoid in breeding females due to potential embryotoxicity.
- Trimethoprim‑sulfamethoxazole: 30 mg/kg, oral, broad‑spectrum coverage; monitor for hemolytic anemia in susceptible strains.
- Amoxicillin‑clavulanic acid: 20 mg/kg, oral, treats respiratory and dental infections; adjust dose for renal impairment.
Analgesics and anti‑inflammatories:
- Meloxicam: 0.2 mg/kg, subcutaneous, provides 24‑hour pain relief; limit to short courses to prevent gastrointestinal ulceration.
- Buprenorphine: 0.01–0.05 mg/kg, subcutaneous, potent opioid analgesic; observe for respiratory depression.
- Carprofen: 5 mg/kg, oral, NSAID for postoperative pain; contraindicated in animals with liver disease.
Antiparasitic agents:
- Ivermectin: 0.2 mg/kg, subcutaneous, effective against mites and nematodes; avoid in strains sensitive to macrocyclic lactones.
- Praziquantel: 25 mg/kg, oral, treats tapeworms; safe for most rodent species.
Supportive and supportive care medications:
- Lactated Ringer’s solution: 10 ml/kg, subcutaneous, corrects dehydration.
- Vitamin K1 (phytonadione): 1 mg/kg, subcutaneous, reverses anticoagulant toxicity.
- Diazepam: 0.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, for seizure control; monitor for sedation.
Hormonal and metabolic treatments:
- Insulin glargine: 0.5 U/kg, subcutaneous, manages diabetes mellitus; adjust dose based on blood glucose monitoring.
- Levothyroxine: 0.1 mg/kg, oral, treats hypothyroidism; check serum T4 levels regularly.
Contraindications and precautions:
- Acetaminophen and aspirin are hepatotoxic and gastrotoxic in rats and must be excluded.
- Phenobarbital can cause severe respiratory depression; use only under specialist direction.
- Doses derived from mouse or human data require scaling by body surface area; overdosage leads to rapid toxicity.
All medications should be stored according to manufacturer guidelines, and administration equipment must be sterilized to prevent iatrogenic infection. Record keeping of drug name, dose, route, and response facilitates repeatable treatment and contributes to welfare monitoring.