What should be done if a rat suffers a stroke? - briefly
Obtain emergency veterinary care to stabilize the rat, secure airway and circulation, and administer appropriate neuroprotective or thrombolytic treatment. Continue with close neurological monitoring, fluid support, and temperature regulation to promote recovery.
What should be done if a rat suffers a stroke? - in detail
When a laboratory rodent shows signs of a cerebral vascular event, immediate observation of neurological deficits is essential. Look for unilateral weakness, circling, loss of balance, or abnormal gait. Record the onset time, as the therapeutic window is time‑dependent.
Stabilize the animal. Maintain body temperature within the normal range (37 °C ± 0.5 °C) using a warming pad. Ensure adequate oxygenation by placing the rat in a chamber with 21‑30 % O₂ and monitoring respiratory rate. Provide analgesia if the animal exhibits distress, selecting agents that do not interfere with cerebrovascular physiology (e.g., buprenorphine at 0.05 mg/kg s.c.).
Proceed to diagnostic confirmation. Under brief anesthesia, perform a non‑invasive imaging study—magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion‑weighted sequences or computed tomography (CT) with contrast—to identify infarct location and size. If imaging is unavailable, employ a standardized neurological scoring system (e.g., Bederson or Garcia scale) to quantify impairment.
Initiate pharmacological intervention promptly. Options include:
- Antithrombotic therapy: low‑dose aspirin (10 mg/kg p.o.) to inhibit platelet aggregation, administered within 3 h of symptom onset.
- Neuroprotective agents: NMDA‑receptor antagonists (e.g., MK‑801, 0.1 mg/kg i.p.) or free‑radical scavengers (e.g., N‑acetylcysteine, 150 mg/kg i.p.) to limit excitotoxic damage.
- Blood‑pressure management: intravenous saline or vasodilators (e.g., nitroprusside) to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure between 70‑80 mmHg.
Supportive care continues throughout the recovery period. Provide a soft, low‑profile cage with easy access to food and water to reduce the risk of aspiration. Monitor weight, hydration status, and signs of infection daily. Adjust the environment to minimize stress—quiet room, consistent lighting, and limited handling.
Rehabilitation begins after the acute phase (24‑48 h). Implement a graded exercise program: treadmill walking at 5 m/min for 5 min, increasing duration by 5 min each day as tolerated. Incorporate sensorimotor training, such as reaching tasks and balance beams, to promote neuroplasticity.
If the condition deteriorates—persistent seizures, severe hypoxia, or uncontrolled hemorrhage—euthanasia should be considered according to institutional animal welfare guidelines. Documentation of all observations, interventions, and outcomes is mandatory for ethical review and reproducibility of experimental data.