| Medications |
There are so many charts out there
for drug use in rats, but some of them are confusing to read or do not
have the informations you are looking for. So, the idea here was to
provide what I think has everything you need when looking for information
on medications for your rat. I have used several of the drugs with my
own rats, and my dad is a pharmacist, so I would be happy to answer
any questions I can. Just drop me an email. If you find that any of
the information contained on these medication pages is incorrect or
outdated, or if I am missing any that you know of, please let me know
as well!
|
| Bactericidal
Antibiotics |
| Bactericidal
antibiotics kill the invading bacteria and are an effective choice for
severe, acute infections. They only kill the growing bacteria, they do
not keep the bacteria from reproducing. Most bactericidals are broad spectrum
antibiotics. It should be noted that those in the penicillin family may
cause allergic reactions in some rats, so use with caution. Often times,
specific combinations of medications are used to help combat infections;
however, when combining bactericidals with other types of antibiotics
(bacteriostatics), the effectiveness of the antibiotics may actually become
impaired. So, choose drug combinations with care and only under the direction
of a veterinarian that is experienced in treating and medicating rats.
The chart below shows several of the bactericidal antibiotics that are
commonly used in rats. For more information, please use the references
found below the chart and contact your veterinarian. |
| DRUG |
BRAND |
FAMILY |
USES |
|
SCRIPT |
NOTES |
CONTRADICTIONS |
| Amoxicillin
|
Amoxi-Drops |
Penicillin |
Urinary
& secondary infections; prevention of infection after injury
or surgery |
10-50mg/lb BID
orally
10-14 days |
Yes |
Not effective against
Mycoplasma. May cause diarrhea. Works well w/ Gentocin. |
Do not combine
with Atenolol |
| Amoxicillin
Trihydrate |
Clavamox,
Augmentin |
Penicillin |
Skin
infections & abscesses; bacteria that doesn't respond to Amoxicillin |
10mg/lb BID orally
10-14 days |
Yes |
Not effective against
Mycoplasma. May cause diarrhea. |
Do not combine
with Atenolol |
| Cefadroxil |
Cefa-Drops |
Cephalosporin |
Urinary,
secondary, skin & soft tissue infections; prevention of infection
after injury or surgery |
10mg/lb BID orally
10-14 days |
Yes |
None |
None |
| Cefuroxime |
Ceftin |
Cephalosporin |
Urinary,
skin, bone & respiratory infections; septicemia and meningitis |
10-25mg/lb BID
orally |
Yes |
Strongest of the
cephalosporins. |
None |
|
Keflex |
Cephalosporin |
Urinary,
skin, bone & respiratory infections |
12-25mg/lb TID
orally |
Yes |
Works well w/ Chloremphenicol
palmitate. |
Do not combine
with Gentamicin |
| |
Dicural |
Fluoroquinolone |
Mycoplasma, skin,
intestinal & urinary infections; prevention of infection after
injury or surgery |
4.6mg/lb BID orally
Do not use more than 30 days |
Yes |
May be better absorbed
than Enrofloxacin. |
None |
Enrofloxacin |
Baytril |
Fluoroquinolone |
Mycoplasma, skin,
intestinal & urinary infections; prevention of infection after
injury or surgery |
10mg/lb BID orally |
Yes |
Works well w/ Doxycycline,
penicillins, cephalosporins & Gentocin. Can be used long term. |
Do not use in growing
rats |
Gentamicin |
Gentocin |
None |
Mycoplasma, urinary
& serious respiratory infections |
10-30mg/lb BID
or TID subQ |
Yes |
Works well w/ Amoxicillin
& Baytril. Can cause loss of coordination & decreased
cardiac output. Encourage fluids. |
Do not combine
with Cephalexin |
| Metronidizole |
Flagyl |
None |
Anaerobic bacteria
that infects bone, tooth sockets, etc |
10-30mg/lb BID
or TID orally |
Yes |
None |
Not for use in
rats with neurologic or heart problems |
Trimethoprim
Sulfamethoxazole |
Tribrissan, Septra,
Bactrim |
None |
Urinary, secondary
& prostate infections |
15mg/lb BID orally
Do not use long term |
Yes |
Not effective against
Mycoplasma. Can cause allergic reactions, vitamin K deficiency,
kidney obstruction & decreased tear productivity. Penetrates
all tissues. |
Use caution with
aspirin and NSAIDs, as it enhances their effects |
|
Bacteriostatic
Antibiotics |
Bacteriostatic
antibiotics prevent the invading bacteria from reproducing, allowing the
rat's own immune system to effectively take care of the present bacteria.
They themselves do not kill the bacteria. They are the choice for more
mild or chronic infections. Many bacteriostatics are broad spectrum antibiotics,
with the exceptions being Tylosin and Erythromycin. Often times, specific
combinations of medications are used to help combat infections; however,
when combining bacteriostatics with other types of antibiotics (bactericidals),
they may actually impair effectiveness. So, again, choose drug combinations
with care and only under the directino of a veterinarian that is experienced
in treating and medicating rats.
The chart below shows several of the bacteriostatic antibiotics that are
commonly used in rats. For more information, please use the references
found below the chart and contact your veterinarian. |
| DRUG |
BRAND |
FAMILY |
USES |
|
SCRIPT |
NOTES |
CONTRADICTIONS |
| Azithromycin |
Zithromax |
Macrolide |
Mycoplasma
& respiratory infections |
5-15mg/lb
BID orally
14 days then SID another 14 days |
Yes |
None |
Do not combine
with Chloremphenicol palmitate, Digoxin or Clinamycin |
| Chloramphenicol |
Chloramphenicol
palmitate |
None |
Mycoplasma |
25-90mg/lb
BID to TID orally |
Yes |
Can depress bone
marrow & cardiac output. Do not use long term. Penetrates
many tissues, such as the CNS & eyes. Don't use tablets (inhaled
powder can cause aplastic anemia in people) |
Do not combine
with aspirin, NSAIDs, penicillins, or aminoglycosides; do not
use in growing rats |
| Clindamycin |
Anti-robe |
None |
Mycoplasma;
anaerobic bacteria that infects bone, tooth sockets & deep
tissue |
5-10mg/lb BID orally
Do not use more than 30 days
|
Yes |
None |
Do not combine
with Tylan, Ornacyn or Zithromax; do not use in rats with allergies |
| Doxycycline |
Vibramycin |
Tetracycline |
Mycoplasma |
2.5-5mg/lb BID
orally |
Yes |
Works well w/ Baytril
or Zithromax. Does not bind to minerals. Can be used long term.
Stronger than tetracycline. |
Do not combine
with Digoxin or dairy products; do not give to pregnant or nursing
does |
|
Ornacyn |
Macrolide |
Mycoplasma,
Strep, Staph & Corynebacteria; abscesses & general infections |
10mg/lb TID orally |
No |
May cause gastrointestinal
upset. |
Do not combine
with other antibiotics, Digoxin or fruit juice |
| |
Panmycin Aquadrops,
Ornacycline, Terramycin |
Tetracycline |
Mycoplasma, Pasteurella,
abscesses & respiratory infections; prevention of infection
after injury or surgery |
25mg/lb TID orally
(Panmycin)
1/8 tablet TID orally (Ornacycline)
1/8 tsp. TID orally (Terramycin) |
Yes (Panmycin)
No (Ornacycline, Terramycin) |
Encourage fluids. |
Do not combine
with Digoxin or dairy products; do not give to pregnant or nursing
does |
| Tylosin |
Tylan Injectable |
Macrolide |
Mycoplasma |
4.5mg/lb
BID orally |
No |
Encourage fluids. |
Do not combine
with other antibiotics |
|
| Respiratory,
Heart Disease & Tumor Medications |
This
is by no means an exhaustive list, but contains what I've found to be
some of the more common medications you may need to use with typical diseases.
As with the other charts, please let me know if there are some missing
or inaccurate. Any other information you have to share is welcome too! |
| DRUG |
TYPE/BRAND |
USES |
|
SCRIPT |
NOTES/
CONTRADICTIONS |
Albuterol |
Bronchodilator |
Pneumonia,
conjestive heart failure & advanced respiratory diseases |
0.05mg/lb BID to
TID |
Yes |
Relaxes the lungs
to help rats breathe easier |
| Aminophylline |
Bronchodilator |
Pneumonia,
conjestive heart failure & advanced respiratory diseases |
2.5-5mg/lb BID
to TID orally or subQ |
Yes |
Relaxes the lungs
to help rats breathe easier; use with caution as it may have a
stimulant effect
|
Atenolol |
Beta-blocker |
Congestive
heart failure |
1mg/lb BID orally |
Yes |
Slows the heartbeat
to improve effectiveness; may double dose with disease progression |
Chlorpheniramine
maleate |
Antihistamine
/ Chlor-Trimaton |
Allergy
& respiratory problems |
0.01-0.2mg/lb BID
orally |
No |
None |
| Dexamethasone |
Anti-inflammatory
corticosteriod / Azium |
Pneumonia,
inner ear infections, pituitary tumors & injury |
0.5-1mg/lb SID
to BID subQ or orally |
Yes |
Reduces swelling
or inflammation; use only for short periods; depresses immune
system |
Dexaphosphate |
Anti-inflammoatory
corticosteriod |
Shock
& severe swelling |
0.23-0.9mg/lb subQ |
Yes |
Reduces swelling
or inflammation; faster acting and shorter lasting than Dexamethasone;
depresses the immune system, but less than Dexamethasone |
Digoxin |
Cardiac
glycoside |
Dilated
cardiomyopathy |
0.0025mg/lb BID
orally |
Yes |
Helps the heart
beat more strongly; high doses can cause poor appetite; do not
combine with tetracyclines or macrolides; may need to increase
dose with disease progression |
Diphenhydramine
hydrochloride |
Antihistamine
/ Benadryl |
Allergies
& respiratory disease |
11mg/lb BID orally |
Yes |
None |
Enalapril |
ACE
inhibitor |
Congestive
heart failure |
0.25mg/lb BID orally |
Yes |
Lowers blood pressure;
can be used as a diagnostic tool for CHF; may need to double dose
with disease progression |
Ephedrine |
Bronchodilator
/ Primatene |
Pneumonia,
conjestive heart failure & advanced respiratory diseases |
1mg/lb BID |
No |
None |
Furosemide |
Diuretic
/ Lasix |
Congestive
heart failure |
1-2mg/lb BID orally |
Yes |
Flushes excess
fluid from the lungs; dose may need to be adjusted with disease
progression |
Lisinopril |
ACE inhibitor |
Congestive heart
failure |
2mg/lb BID orally |
Yes |
Lowers blood pressure |
| Prednisone |
Anti-inflammatory
corticosteriod |
Pneumonia, inner
ear infections, pituitary tumors & injury |
0.25-1mg/lb SID
orally |
Yes |
Reduces swelling
or inflammation; use only for short periods except in the case
of chronic or advanced cases of respiratory disease; depresses
immune system; end treatments gradually, reducing to every other
day then every third |
Tamoxifen |
Nonsteriodal antiestrogen
/ Nolvadex |
Malignant mammary
& pituitary tumors |
3mg/lb SID |
Yes |
None |
Terbutaline |
Bronchodilator |
Pneumonia, conjestive
heart failure & advanced respiratory diseases |
0.025-0.05mg/lbTID |
Yes |
None |
Theophylline |
Bronchodilator |
Pneumonia, conjestive
heart failure & advanced respiratory diseases |
2-2.5mg/lb BID
to TID |
Yes |
None |
Vitamin
K |
Vitamin Supplement |
Promotes blood
clotting |
0.5-5mg/mg subQ
SID |
Yes |
None |
|
Sedative
& Pain Management Medications |
Again,
this chart may not be complete, but those contained in it seem to be the
most commonly used. Please let me know if there are some missing or inaccurate,
or if there is one you feel I should add. |
| DRUG |
TYPE/BRAND |
USES |
|
SCRIPT |
NOTES/
CONTRADICTIONS |
| Acetaminophen |
Analgesic
/ Tylenol |
Pain
& inflammation |
90-140mg/lb every
4-12 hours orally |
No |
Dosing too high
can cause liver damage |
Aspirin |
NSAID |
Pain |
45-205mg/lb every
48 hours orally |
No |
Dosing too high
or too often can cause stomach damage; destroys platelets, prolonging
bleeding time, so do not use for pain relief after surgery or
bleeding injury; interferes with ovulation |
Buprenorphine |
Analgesic |
Pain |
0.0045-0.0227mg/lb
SQ BID to TID |
Yes |
None |
| Butorphanol |
Analgesic |
Pain |
0.25-1mg/lb every
4-6 hours subQ |
Yes |
None |
Clonzapam |
Sedative |
Sedation
for non-painful procedures |
0.5mg/lb orally |
Yes |
None |
Codeine |
Analgesic |
Pain |
10mg/lb orally |
Yes |
None |
Diazapam |
Sedative
/ Valium |
Sedation
for non-painful procedures |
2.3mg/lb orally |
Yes |
None |
Flunixin |
NSAID |
Pain |
0.75mg/lb SID to
BID orally |
Yes |
None |
Ibuprofen |
NSAID
/ Advil |
Pain
& inflammation |
15-60mg/lb BID
to TID orally |
No |
Can cause fluid
retention, decreased blood flow to organs, stomach problems, and
decreased clotting; do not use in rats with kidney or heart problems;
do not combine with diuretics; more effective for pain than aspirin
or Tylenol |
Metacam |
Analgesic |
Pain |
0.25mg/lb SID orally |
Yes |
None |
Properidol |
Sedative |
Sedation for non-painful
procedures |
0.23mg/lb orally |
Yes |
None |
|
Parasite
& Fungal Treatment Medications |
I
am including this chart to be as thorough as possible, however, I personally
have never used anything but Zimecterin and have had nothing but success
with it. Let me know, as always, if there are any changes you see that
need to be made. |
| DRUG |
TYPE/BRAND |
USES |
|
SCRIPT |
NOTES/
CONTRADICTIONS |
Griseofulvin |
Antifungal |
Ringworm
|
12-25mg/lb BID
for 4-6 weeks |
Yes |
None |
Ivermectin |
Parasiticide
/ Ivomec, Zimecterin |
Lice,
mites, pinworms, roundworms |
100-200mcg/lb 1x
a week for 3 weeks orally (Ivomec)
Dose the size of an uncooked grain of rice 1x a week for 3 weeks
orally (Zimecterin) |
Yes (Ivomec)
No (Zimecterin) |
Enters bloodstream,
which becomes toxic to parasites |
|
Ketoconazole |
Antifungal / Nizoral |
Ringworm &
other fungal infections |
4mg/lb TID for
3-4 weeks |
No |
Improvement should
be seen in 1-2 weeks |
| Lufenuron |
Parasiticide /
Program |
Lice, fleas, ringworm |
1/3 the dose for
a cat (0-10lbs) for a 3/4lb rat
1/2 the dose for a rat more that 3/4lb
1/4 the dose for a rat less than 3/4lb
In all cases, give every 2 weeks for 3 doses |
Yes |
None |
Praziquantel |
Parasiticide /
Droncit |
Tapeworm |
5mg/lb subQ once
and again in 10 days |
Yes |
None |
| Selemectin |
Parasiticide /
Revolution for Kittens or Cats |
Lice, mites, fleas |
1 dose of 4-8mg/kg
topically |
Yes |
Refer to directions
on the package when using. |
|
Digestive
Disorder Medications |
|
As
with all the others, this chart may not be complete, but contains some
of the most common medications in this category. Let me know if you have
changes or additions you would like to see. I would also like to note
that trying some whole milk plain yogurt for minor digestive problems
is advised before turning to any medication. Even some foods can help
firm or loosen stools as necessary. |
| DRUG |
BRAND |
USES |
|
SCRIPT |
NOTES/
CONTRADICTIONS |
Bismuth
subsalicylate |
Kaopectate or Pepto
Bismol |
Diarrhea |
2 drops/15-30g
BID orally (Kaopectate)
0.1mL/15-30g BID orally (Pepto Bismol) |
No |
None. May cause
black stools. |
Cimetadine |
Tagamet |
Megaesophagus |
3mg/lb BID orally |
Yes |
Reduces stomach
acid |
Cisapride |
Propulsid |
Megacolon |
0.2-0.4mg/lb orally |
Yes |
Success has only
been achieved in a small number of adult rats |
Loperamide
HCl |
Imodium
AD |
Diarrhea |
1/10th human dose
orally |
No |
|
Metoclopramide |
Reglan |
Megaesophagus |
0.15mg/lb BID orally |
Yes |
Speeds the emptying
of the stomach |
Senna |
Senokot |
Megacolon
& constipation |
1/8 tablet/lb SID
orally |
No |
Natural laxative |
|
REFERENCES
AGAWA Companion Animal Hospital - Dr. Virginia Leis
Bay Valley Animal Hospital - Dr. John VanDaele
Covenant Pharmacy - Robert Paterson
Rat Fan Club - www.ratfanclub.org
Rat Guide - www.ratguide.com
Rat Health Care 10th Edition - Debbie Ducommun
Rat & Mouse Club of America - www.rmca.org |
| |
Copyright 2005-2008. Cove Rattery. All Rights
Reserved.
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