What should be done for a rat with lung edema? - briefly
Administer supplemental oxygen and start a diuretic regimen (e.g., furosemide) to remove excess pulmonary fluid, while providing analgesia and continuously monitoring respiratory rate, blood gases, and edema progression.
What should be done for a rat with lung edema? - in detail
When a laboratory mouse presents with pulmonary fluid accumulation, immediate intervention focuses on stabilizing respiration and correcting the underlying cause.
First, assess the severity. Observe respiratory rate, effort, and oxygen saturation if a pulse oximeter is available. Record body temperature, heart rate, and signs of distress.
Supportive measures include:
- Oxygen supplementation – deliver humidified 100 % O₂ via a face mask or chamber until saturation exceeds 95 %.
- Temperature control – maintain ambient temperature at 30–32 °C to prevent hypothermia, which worsens hypoxemia.
- Fluid balance – discontinue any excess intravenous fluids. If fluid overload contributed to edema, initiate gentle diuresis with furosemide (1 mg/kg subcutaneously) after confirming renal function.
- Pharmacologic therapy – administer a corticosteroid (e.g., dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg subcutaneously) to reduce inflammatory permeability when inflammation is suspected. Use broad‑spectrum antibiotics (e.g., enrofloxacin 10 mg/kg subcutaneously) if bacterial infection cannot be excluded.
If spontaneous breathing remains inadequate, proceed to assisted ventilation:
- Non‑invasive positive‑pressure ventilation – apply a small‑animal ventilator with tidal volume 6–8 ml/kg and respiratory rate 80–120 breaths/min.
- Invasive intubation – perform endotracheal intubation under anesthesia, then connect to a mechanical ventilator with lung‑protective settings (PEEP 3–5 cm H₂O, FiO₂ titrated to maintain saturation).
Continuous monitoring is essential. Check arterial blood gases every 30 minutes during the acute phase, adjust ventilation parameters, and reassess fluid status. Record weight daily to detect fluid shifts.
If the condition does not improve within 4–6 hours despite optimal supportive care, consider humane euthanasia in accordance with institutional animal‑care guidelines.
Documentation of all interventions, dosages, and observations ensures reproducibility and compliance with ethical standards.