YARC       Comparative Medicine

Veterinary Clinical Services


Drugs and Dosages

Analgesics and Sedatives    Anesthetics   Anti-Infectives    Parasiticides   Miscellaneous Drugs

This page is currently being revised to reflect the most current data available,
with the exception of the data that is listed below.
During the interim please contact Veterinary Clinical Services at (203)785-2501

Mice
Drug Dose and Route Comments
Carprofen (Rimadyl®) 5 mg/kg IM, IP, SC every 24 hours

Drinking water concentration:
8 mg per 300 ml drinking water: add 0.16 ml carprofen (50 mg/ml injectable) to 300 ml water.  Needs to be changed weekly. Light sensitive-use opaque bottles

Ibuprofen 30 mg/kg PO

Drinking water concentration:
49 mg per 300 ml drinking water: add 2.45 ml ibuprofen (20 mg/ml suspension) to 300 ml water. Needs to be changed weekly.

Meloxicam (Metacam®) 0.3 mg/kg IM, IP, SC every 24 hours Drinking water concentration:
0.48 mg per 300 ml drinking water: add 0.096 ml  meloxicam (5.0 mg/ml injectable) to 300 ml water. Needs to be changed weekly.
Buprenorphine (Buprenex®) 0.05 –0.1 mg/kg IM, IP, SC every 6-12 hours Oral administration via water bottle is not effective
Rats
Drug Dose and Route Comments
Carprofen (Rimadyl®) 5 mg/kg IM, IP, SC every 24 hours Drinking water concentration:  25 mg per 500 ml drinking water: add 0.5 ml carprofen (50 mg/ml injectable) to 500 ml water.  Needs to be changed weekly. Light sensitive-use opaque bottles
Ibuprofen 15 mg/kg PO Drinking water concentration:  75 mg per 500 ml drinking water: add 3.75 ml ibuprofen (20 mg/ml suspension) to 500 ml water.  Needs to be changed weekly.
Ketoprofen 5 mg/kg SC every 24 hours  
Meloxicam (Metacam®) 1.0 mg/kg IM, IP, SC every 24 hours Drinking water concentration:  5.0 mg per 500 ml drinking water: add 1.0 ml meloxicam (5.0 mg/ml injectable) to 500 ml water. Needs to be changed weekly.
Buprenorphine (Buprenex®) 0.01- 0.05 mg/kg IM, IP, SC every 6-12 hours Oral administration via water bottle is not effective
Rabbits
Drug Dose and Route Comments
Carprofen (Rimadyl®) 2.2 mg/kg PO, SC every 12 hours  
Meloxicam (Metacam®)

0.2 mg/kg IM, SC every 24 hours
0.3 mg/kg PO every 24 hours

 
Buprenorphine (Buprenex®) 0.02-0.05 mg/kg IM, IP, SC every 8-12 hours  
Fentanyl Transdermal Patch 1/2 small patch (25 mcg/hr) per medium sized rabbit (3 kg).   Do not cut the patch! Cover half of the patch membrane with tape.  Apply to shaved (not epilated) skin >12 hours prior to painful procedure.  Duration is 72 hours
Dogs
Drug Dose and Route Comments
Carprofen (Rimadyl®) 2.2 mg/kg PO, SC every 12 hours Available in flavored tablets or injectable form
Meloxicam (Metacam®) 0.2 mg/kg SC, IV initially, then 0.1 mg/kg PO, SC every 24 hours Available in flavored suspension or injectable form
Ketoprofen

2 mg/kg SC once
0.25-0.5 mg/kg PO every 24 hours

SC dose may be followed 24 hours later by 1mg/kg IM once per day for two days maximum.
Use PO for a maximum of 5 days

Flunixin Meglumine 1.0 mg/kg IM once per day Use for a maximum of 3 days
Buprenorphine (Buprenex®) 0.01-0.02 mg/kg IM, SC every 6-8 hours  
Fentanyl Transdermal Patch

Dosage base on weight:
  5-10 kg: 25 mcg/hr patch
  10-20 kg: 50 mcg/hr patch
  20-30 kg: 75 mcg/hr patch

   >30 kg: 100 mcg/hr patch

Apply to shaved skin 24 hours prior to painful procedure.  Duration is 72 hours. 
Cats
Drug Dose and Route Comments
Meloxicam (Metacam®) 0.3 mg/kg SC once followed by 0.1mg/kg PO for 4 days maximum  
Ketoprofen 2.0 mg/kg SC once  
Buprenorphine (Buprenex®) 0.01 mg/kg IM, SC every 6-12 hours  
Fentanyl Transdermal Patch

Dosage base on weight:
  >5 kg: 25 mcg/hr patch
  <5 kg: 1/2 small patch (25 mcg/hr)

If giving 1/2 patch, do not cut the patch!  Cover half of the patch membrane with tape.  Apply to shaved (not epilated) skin >12 hours prior to painful procedure.  Duration is 72 hours.
Ferrets
Drug Dose and Route Comments
Carprofen (Rimadyl®) 1.0 mg/kg PO, SC every 12-24 hours  
Meloxicam (Metacam®)

0.2 mg/kg SC, IM
0.3 mg/kg PO every 24 hours

 
Flunixin Meglumine 0.5-2 mg/kg SC, IM every 24 hours  
Buprenorphine (Buprenex®) 0.01-0.03 mg/kg IM, SC every 8-12 hours  
Swine
Drug Dose and Route Comments
Carprofen (Rimadyl®) 2-4 mg/kg IV, SC, PO every 24 hours  

Buprenorphine (Buprenex®)

0.05-0.1 mg/kg IM every 12 hours  
Flunixin Meglumine 2 mg/kg IV or Sc every 24 hours Use for a maximum of 3 days
Phenylbutazone 10-20 mg/kg PO every 12 hours (4-8 mg/kg every 24 hours) Caution: Can cause blood dyscrasias in humans. Wear gloves when handling
Sheep and Goats
Drug Dose and Route Comments
Flunixin Meglumine

Goats: 1.0 mg/kg IM every 24 hours
Sheep: 1.1-2.0 mg/kg IM every 24 hours

Use for a maximum of 3 days
Buprenorphine (Buprenex®) 0.005 mg/kg IM every 6-12 hours  
Fentanyl Transdermal Patch 50 mcg/hr Apply to shaved skin >12 hours prior to painful procedure.  Duration is 72 hours.
Non-human Primates
Drug Dose and Route Comments
Flunixin Meglumine 1.0 mg/kg IM once per day Use for a maximum of 2 days
Ibuprofen 7 mg/kg PO every 12 hours  
Carprofen (Rimadyl®) 2 mg/kg PO every 12 hours  

Buprenorphine (Buprenex®)

0.01 mg/kg IM every 6-12 hours  

SC = subcutaneous; IM = intramuscular; IP = intraperitoneal; PO = per os (oral)


 

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Copyright © 1999 Yale Animal Resources Center, Yale University
Last modified: June 20, 2006