A complete guide that includes other species can be found in the JHU "Blue Book." (click here to jump to rat guidelines)Injectable Anesthetics / Inhalation Anesthetics / Analgesics | | | | | Ketamine +
Xylazine | 80-100 (K) +
5-10 (X)
IP | 60-100 min anesthetic depth. May not be adequate for major procedures. Inhibits blinking so should use ocular lubrication to prevent corneal ulceration. | Brain cannulas or acute brain injections Brain lesions Arterial or venous catherizations Castration and ovariectomy | Ketamine +
Xylazine +
Acepromazine | 100 (K) +
20 (X) +
3 (A)
IP | Excellent survivability and reliable depth of anesthesia compared to other combinations. Dose should be adapted to mouse strain being used. | Same as above | Ketamine +
Dexmedetomidine | 100 (K) +
0.5 (D)
IP | May not produce adequate anesthesia for major procedures. Can be partially reversed with Atipamezole (0.1-1.0 IM or IP). | Retro-orbital bleeding
Use with topical proparicaine ophthalmic | Sodium Pentobarbital
(Nembutal) | 50-60
IP | Recommended for terminal/acute procedures. Duration of effect is highly variable. | Euthanize and harvest Trans-cardial perfusions | Tribromoethanol
(Avertin)
| 250-500
IP
| Special preparation and storage required. Adverse outcomes likely with repeated use. | |
| | | | | RECOMMENDED
Isoflurane | 1-3% | Good general anesthetic with high safety margin. Long-procedures- Require a precision vaporizer for delivery. Short procedures- An open-drop exposure method can be used. | Long procedures Short procedures:
• Tail biopsy
• Retro-orbital bleeding
| | Ether | To effect | Highly discouraged due to distress to animal and potential for flammability | Euthanize and harvest Tail biopsy |
| | | | |
Buprenorphine | 0.05-0.10 SC, IP | Takes 1 h to be effective so should be given pre-emptively Duration of effect is 4-6 h NSAID is recommended for continued pain relief Opioid- Requires DEA license | For mild to moderate pain. | Carprofen
(Rimadyl) | 4-5 SC | NSAID Duration of effect is 24 h | | | Meloxicam | 1-2
SC, IM, PO | NSAID Duration of effect is 24 h | |
Injectable Anesthetics / Inhalation Anesthetics / Analgesics / Local Anesthetics/Analgesics | | | | | RECOMMENDED
Ketamine +
Xylazine | 75-100 (K) +
5-10 (X)
IM or IP | IM injection can cause tissue necrosis | Brain cannulas or acute brain injections Brain lesions Arterial or venous catherizations Castration and ovariectomy | Ketamine +
Dexmedetomidine | 75-100 (K) +
0.15 (D)
IM or IP | May be partially reversed with Atipamezole (0.1-1.0 mg/kg, IM or IP) | | Sodium Pentobarbital
(Nembutal) | 40-50
IP | Recommended for acute/terminal procedures. If used for survival surgery should use supplemental analgesia. | Euthanize and harvest Trans-cardial perfusions |
| | | | | RECOMMENDED
Isoflurane | Long procedures-
2-5% induction
0.25-3%
maintenance Short procedures-
To effect | Good general anesthetic Long procedures- must use precision vaporizer Short procedures- use open-drop exposure method | All | Ether | To effect | Not recommended due to irritant properties and flammability | Euthanize and harvest Tail biopsy |
| | | | | | Buprenorphine | 0.01-0.05
IM or SC | Takes 1 h to be effective so should be given pre-emptively Duration of effect is 4-6 h NSAID is recommended for continued pari relief Opioid- Requires DEA license | For mild to moderate pain | Carprofen
(Rimadyl) | 5-10 SC, PO | NSAID Once daily | | | Meloxicam | 1-2 PO, SC | NSAID Once daily for up to 3 days | |
| | | | | | Bupivicaine | Dilute to 0.25%, should not exceed a total dose of 8 mg/kg
SC or intra-incisional | Use as a local anesthetic, slow onset but duration of action is 4-8 h. Do not give IV. | | | Lidocaine | Dilute to 0.5%, should not exceed 7 mg/kg
SC or intra-incisional | Use as local anesthetic, fast onset but duration of action is less than 1 h. | |
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