Attachment A--Common Drugs Used for Laboratory Animals
Please note:
The safe and effective use of any anesthetic agent requires knowledge and
experience in anesthesiology. The veterinarians are available to help with
choices of anesthetics, analgesics, or tranquilizers that are most appropriate for
your needs.
The following dosage tables are provided to familiarize the reader with commonly
used agents in laboratory animal medicine.
The dosages have been obtained from reliable texts, publications, or
manufacturer's recommendations. These are accurate to the best of our
knowledge and experience, but we claim no responsibility for any eventuality in
use.
Inhalation Anesthetics
Methoxyflurane (Metofane) – this product is no
longer commercially available
Halothane (Fluothane) or Isoflurane
Rodents: Inhalation anesthetic of choice.
Induce by nose cone or bell jar (open method).
Easy to maintain anesthesia with wetted cotton
in a nose cone.
Rabbits: Requires the use of an anesthesia
machine with wick type vaporizer and
endotracheal intubation. Slow induction, slow
recovery.
All Species: Rapid induction, rapid recovery
Rodents: Nose cone or bell jar generally used,
can easily overdose by this open method.
Rabbits: Requires the use of an anesthesia
machine with a precision vaporizer and
endotracheal intubation. Method of choice for
larger species.
Because of their hazardous potential, all inhalant anesthetics should be used in
such a way as to minimize their release into the work area. Anesthetic machines
should be properly scavenged and bell jars or similar containers should only be
used in properly ventilated hoods.
The use of ether for anesthesia or euthanasia is strongly discouraged because of
the risk of explosion and because of its irritating effects on animal respiratory
passages. Investigators should use an alternate agent when scientifically
possible. Use of ether requires appropriate justification and specific approval by
the IACUC and adherence to safety procedures.
Anesthetics for Amphibia and Fish
Amphibia
Pentobarbital Sodium
Hexobarbital
Ethanol
Methoxyflurane (Metofane)
60 mg/kg SC in dorsal lymph sac
120 mg/kg SC in dorsal lymph sac
Immersion in 10% solution
3% (0.5-1.0ml/L jar) induction 2 mins, remove
from jar, maintenance 40 mins, recovery at 2226°C, keep moist
Immersion in solution containing 100 mg/L,
maintain by moist cloth contact with solution,
recovery as with metofane
Tricaine Methanesulfate (MS 222)
Fish
Tricaine Methanesulfate (MS 222)
Ketamine Hydrochloride plus Xylazine
Hydrochloride
Immersion in solution containing 50-100 mg/L
1:1 combination
Anticholinergic Preanesthetics
(mg/kg except as noted)
Agent
Route
Gerbil
Atropine
Sulfate*
SC
IM
.04
Guinea
Pig
.05
Hamster
Mouse
Rabbit
Rat
.04
.04
0.2**
.05
*Generally administered 15-30 minutes prior to induction of anesthesia
** Effects may be unpredictable due to variable levels of atropinase
Tranquilizers
(mg/kg except as noted)
Agent
Acetylpromazine
maleate
(Acepromazine)
Diazepam
(Valium) (DEA)
Droperidol*
Fentanyl Citrate
and Droperidol
(Innovaar-Vet)
(DEA)
Ketamine
hydrochloride
Xylazine
(Rompun)
Route
IM
Gerbil
IP
10
IM
IP
IM
Guinea Pig
5-10
Hamster
Mouse
1-2
0.08-0.66
Rabbit
1.0
Rat
1.2
0.5
0.25
0.15-0.17
0.13-0.16
IM
40
IM
SC
2-4
2-4
DEA-requires Drug Enforcement Agency Registration Number to purchase
* useful for bleeding rabbits due to peripheral vasodilatation effect
Analgesics
(mg/kg except as noted)
Agent
Acetysaliclic Acid
(aspirin)
Buprenorphine*
(DEA)
Butorphanol tartrate
(DEA)
Fentanyl citrate and
Droperidol (InnovarVet) ml/kg (DEA)
Meperidine
(Demorol) (DEA)
Morphine Sulfate
(DEA)
Oxymorphone
hydrochloride
(Numorphan) (DEA)
Pentazocine (Talwin)
(DEA)
Phenylbutazone
(Butazolidin)
Route
Gerbil
PO
SC
IM
IV
SC
IM
SC
IM
IM
IV
SC
IM
IV
PO
SC
IM
IV
SC
IP
IV
PO
SC
Guinea
Pig
86
Hamster
Mouse
Rabbit
Rat
120
100
100
20
0.05
0.05
0.05-0.1
1-5
0.08-0.66
2
10-20
2
10-20
2
10-20
2-5
2
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.05
0.15-0.17
0.01-0.05
2
0.13-0.16
10-20
10-20
10
10
10
2-5
2
2-5
2-5
2-5
2-5
0.25-0.5
150
10
150
10-20
5
100
100
10
100
30-100
150
25-100
DEA-requires Drug Enforcement Agency Registration Number to purchase
*most clinically useful for many species due to its long duration of action
Injectable Anesthetics
(mg/kg except as noted)
Agent
Chloral Hydrate
Chloropent b
(mg/kg) (DEA)
Inactin
(Malonylthiorea)
Ketamine
hydrochloride plus
Acetylpromazine
Ketamine
hydrochloride plus
Xylazine
Pentobarbital
Sodium c,e,f
(Nembutal) (DEA)
Thiamylal sodium
(Surital)(DEA) c
Thiopental c
(Pentothal) (DEA)
Tribromoethanol
(Avertin)
Route
Gerbil
IP
IV
IP
100-300
Guinea
Pig
400
Hamster
Mouse
Rabbit
Rat
270-360
400
200
300-400a
100-300
2.2-2.5
IP
80
IM
75
125
150
100
50
60-90
3
50
5
40
5
200
2.5
IM
1.0
50
1-2
40-80
2
5
30-40
30-45
10
50-90
30
40-60
40-70
5
30-40
20-45 d
5-10
30-50
10-50
20
55
20-25
20
20
25-50
25-50
30-40
20-50 d
50
25-50
0.02ml/g
m
40
20-50 d
25-50
25-50
40
20-48
20
IP
IV
IP
IV
IM
IP
IV
IP
35
30
30
40
40
20
DEA-requires Drug Enforcement Agency Registration Number to purchase
a-concentrated
solutions (300 mg/ml) can cause adynamic ileus and death
known as Equithesin. A 500 ml aqueous solution contains 21.3 gms chloral hydrate,
10.6 gms magnesium sulfate and 4.8 gms pentobarbital
c-intravenous barbituates are given to effect, also perivascular infiltration will result in slough of
tissue
d-often easier to immobilize with ketamine kydrochloride prior to intravenous administration
e-prolonged anesthesia, hypothermia, narrow margin of safety with rodents
f-maintenance with IV drip preferred to repeated bolusing
b-previously