Background
This guideline is an anesthetic and analgesic resource for
investigators utilizing rodent models. The dosages for common anesthetic and
analgesic agents provided are modified from contemporary literature.
Investigators are encouraged to consult with the veterinarian in the selection
of the most efficacious anesthetic and analgesic regimens for their study.
Related Policies and Guidance
·
Policy 529-227: Agents for Anesthesia,
Analgesia, and Euthanasia
·
Policy 529-340: Non-pharmaceutical grade
substances in animals
·
Guidance 529-268: Guidelines for Compounding and
Secondary Container Use for Injectable Drugs
Abbreviations
hrs = hours
IP = Intraperitoneal
kg = kilograms
min = minutes
NSAID = Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug
SC = Subcutaneous
Rodent Anesthesia Guidelines
***Note:
Drug formularies contain the most commonly used anesthetic and analgesic
agents, NOT all possible agents***
|
RODENT ANESTHETIC
FORMULARY
|
|
Anesthetic
Agent
|
Species
|
Dose
(mg/kg)
|
Route of Administration
|
Duration
|
|
Isoflurane
|
Mice and Rats
|
1.0%-3.0% (maintenance)
|
Inhalation
(via vaporizer)
|
|
|
Ketamine/ Diazepam
|
Mice
|
100 /5
|
IP
|
20-30 min
|
|
Rats
|
40 / 5
|
IP
|
20-30 min
|
|
Ketamine /
Medetomidine
|
Mice
|
50-75/1-10
|
IP
|
20-30 min
|
|
Rats
|
60-75 /0.4 -0.5
|
IP
|
20-30 min
|
|
Ketamine /
Xylazine
|
Mice
|
80-150/7.5-16
|
IP
|
20-30 min
|
|
Rats
|
40-80/5-10
|
IP
|
20-40 min
|
|
Ketamine/Xylazine /Acepromazine
|
Mice
|
60-100 /2.5-10/2.5-3
|
IP
|
30-40 min
|
|
Rats
|
40-50/2.5-8/0.75-4
|
IP
|
20-30 min
|
|
Pentobarbital* (NembutalR)
|
Mice
|
30-90
|
IP
|
20-40 min
|
|
Rats
|
30-60
|
IP
|
20-60 min
|
*Terminal/acute procedures only
Rodent Analgesia Guidelines
·
Any
procedure where an incision is made requires the use of an analgesic unless
scientific justification for analgesia withholding has been reviewed and
approved by the IACUC.
·
Analgesics should
be administered before surgery to assure that there is an adequate
therapeutic drug level present post-surgically.
·
Types of
analgesics
o
Opioids - These are controlled substances. Principal
Investigators must have a Controlled Substances Use
Authorization (CSUA) through Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) and
their use requires special record keeping.
Opioids are effective for acute, deep, or visceral pain.
o
NSAIDs - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
These are effective for pain associated with inflammation.
o
Local
analgesics – act only at the site of application. These are used locally before making a surgical
incision.
·
Combining
different classes of analgesics (i.e., locals, opioids, NSAIDs) provides a
synergistic effect and more balanced analgesia.
|
Examples of potential
painful procedures in rodents
|
|
Mild
|
Moderate
|
Severe
|
|
·
Subcutaneous pump
or pellet implantation
·
Catheter
implantation
·
Intracerebral
electrode implantation
·
Simple
laparoscopic biopsies
|
·
Vascular
catheterization
·
Embryo
Transfer
·
Ovariectomy
·
Orchiectomy
·
Craniotomy
|
·
Orthopedic
Procedures
·
Thoracotomy
·
Organ
transplantation
·
Major
laparotomy procedures
·
Burns
·
Trauma
models
|
|
Recommended Analgesic Protocols for Rodents
|
|
Mild
|
Moderate
|
Severe
|
|
Local anesthetic/analgesics
(Lidocaine or Bupivacaine) at surgical incision
|
Local
anesthetic/analgesics (Lidocaine or Bupivacaine) at surgical incision
|
Local anesthetic/analgesics (Lidocaine
or Bupivacaine) at surgical incision
|
|
AND
|
AND
|
AND
|
|
NSAID (Carprofen,
Meloxicam, Ketoprofen, Flunixin) for 24 hours and as needed thereafter
|
Buprenorphine
HCL (BuprenexR), for 48 hours and as needed
thereafter
OR
Buprenorphine
extended-release (Ethiqa XR) single dose
|
Buprenorphine HCL (BuprenexR), for 72 hours and as needed thereafter
OR
Buprenorphine extended-release (Ethiqa XR) single
dose, two doses 72 hours apart
|
|
|
AND
|
AND
|
|
|
NSAID (Carprofen, Meloxicam, Ketoprofen, Flunixin)
for 48 hours and as needed thereafter
|
NSAID (Carprofen, Meloxicam,
Ketoprofen, Flunixin) for 72 hours and as needed thereafter
|
|
RODENT ANALGESIC
FORMULARY
|
|
Anesthetic
Agent
|
Species
|
Dose
(mg/kg)
|
Route of
Administration
|
Duration
|
|
Opioids
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buprenorphine HCl (BuprenexR)
|
Mice
|
0.05-0.1
|
SC
|
4 to 8 hrs
|
|
Rats
|
0.01-0.05
|
SC
|
4 to 8 hrs
|
|
Buprenorphine Extended Release (Ethiqa XR)
|
Mice
|
3.25
|
SC
|
72 hrs
|
|
Rats
|
0.65
|
SC
|
72 hrs
|
|
NSAIDs
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carprofen
|
Mice
|
5
|
SC
|
12-24 hrs
|
|
Rats
|
5
|
SC
|
12-24 hrs
|
|
Ketoprofen
|
Mice
|
5
|
SC
|
12-24 hrs
|
|
Rats
|
5
|
SC
|
24 hrs
|
|
Meloxicam
|
Mice
|
5
|
SC
|
12-24 hrs
|
|
Rats
|
1-3.75
|
SC
|
12-24 hrs
|
|
Flunixin meglumine
|
Mice
|
1-2
|
SC
|
12-24 hrs
|
|
Rats
|
1.1-2.5
|
SC
|
12-24 hrs
|
|
Local Analgesia
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bupivacaine
|
Mice and Rats
|
Dilute to 0.25%, up to 0.1cc
(Do not exceed 2 mg/kg)
|
Local infiltration
|
2-6 hrs
|
|
Lidocaine hydrochloride
|
Mice and Rats
|
Dilute to 0.5%, up to 0.1cc
(Do not exceed 4 mg/kg)
|
Local infiltration
|
< 1hr
|
References
·
Flecknell P, Lofgren JLS, Dyson MC, Marini RR, Swindle M, Wilson RP.
2015. Preanesthesia, Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Euthanasia. Laboratory Animal Medicine. Third Edition, Academic Press.
·
Gaertner DJ, Hallman TM, Hankenson FC, Batchelder MA. 2008.
Anesthesia and Analgesia in Rodents. Anesthesia and Analgesia in Laboratory
Animals. Second Edition, Academic Press.
·
Hawk TC, Leary SL, Morris TH. 2005. Formulary for Laboratory Animals. Third Edition, Blackwell Publishing, Ames,
Iowa.
·
Foley PL, Kendall LV, Turner PV. 2019. Clinical Management of Pain
in Rodents. Comp Med 69(6):468-489.
·
Lofgren JLS, Foley, PL, Golledge, HDR. 2020. Anesthesia,
Analgesia, and Euthanasia in The Laboratory Rat. Third Edition, Academic Press.