What should you give a rat for pain? - briefly
Use a veterinary‑approved analgesic, such as meloxicam or buprenorphine, at the species‑specific dose recommended by a veterinarian. Ensure dosing follows established guidelines to provide effective pain relief while minimizing side effects.
What should you give a rat for pain? - in detail
Analgesic management for laboratory rats requires agents that are effective, safe, and compatible with experimental protocols. Selection depends on pain severity, duration, route of administration, and any concurrent procedures.
Commonly used drug classes include:
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Non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Examples: meloxicam (0.2–0.4 mg kg⁻¹ s.c. or i.p. once daily), carprofen (5 mg kg⁻¹ p.o. twice daily).
Properties: reduce inflammation and mild‑to‑moderate pain; minimal central nervous system depression.
Precautions: avoid in animals with renal insufficiency or gastrointestinal ulceration; monitor for reduced platelet aggregation. -
Opioids
Examples: buprenorphine (0.01–0.05 mg kg⁻¹ s.c. or i.p. every 6–12 h), fentanyl (0.01 mg kg⁻¹ s.c. as a continuous infusion).
Properties: potent analgesia for moderate to severe pain; partial agonist profile of buprenorphine limits respiratory depression.
Precautions: potential for sedation, reduced locomotion, and altered physiological parameters; adjust dosing for neonates and pregnant females. -
Local anesthetics
Examples: lidocaine 2 % (infiltration at 0.5–1 ml kg⁻¹), bupivacaine 0.25 % (infiltration or nerve block).
Properties: provide short‑term analgesia at the surgical site; useful for procedures with limited systemic impact.
Precautions: avoid intravascular injection; monitor for signs of toxicity. -
Multimodal regimens
Combine an NSAID with a low‑dose opioid to achieve synergistic pain control while minimizing side effects. Example: meloxicam 0.3 mg kg⁻¹ s.c. daily plus buprenorphine 0.02 mg kg⁻¹ s.c. every 12 h.
Administration considerations:
- Route – Subcutaneous injection is reliable for most agents; oral gavage is appropriate for NSAIDs with good palatability; continuous infusion via osmotic pumps suits long‑acting opioids.
- Timing – Initiate analgesia preemptively, ideally 30 min before the painful stimulus, and continue for at least 48 h post‑procedure, extending based on wound healing.
- Monitoring – Record body weight, food intake, activity, and physiological signs (e.g., heart rate, respiratory rate) at least twice daily. Adjust dosage if analgesic efficacy is insufficient or adverse effects emerge.
Regulatory guidance (e.g., Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, AVMA Guidelines) mandates that all procedures causing pain must be mitigated with appropriate analgesics. Documentation of drug choice, dose, route, and observation outcomes is essential for compliance and reproducibility.