Anesthetic/Analgesic Drug Doses
Commonly Used Agents
The tables below suggest drugs and doses that have been shown experimentally to be effective in the species listed:
- Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are very effective analgesics in many situations. They are not controled substances and are easily obtained.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have profound physiologic effects which prevent their use in many studies.
- Opioid Analgesics
- Opioid Analgesics are controled substances for which there are special recordkeeping requirements (see P&P 290-70 Controled Substances.)
- Opioid Analgesics have very limited and specific effects on pain perception which would rarely interfere with a research project.
- Avertin as a Mouse Anesthetic.
Organized by Species
- Amphibians
- Cats
- Chicken
- Dogs
- Ferrets
- Fish
- Gerbils
- Goats
- Guinea Pigs
- Hamsters
- Mice
- Pigs
- Rabbits
- Rats
- Reptiles
- Sheep
References
US Government Principles (for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training)
"Unless the contrary is established, investigators should consider that procedures that cause pain or distress in human beings may cause pain or distress in other animals."
"Procedures with animals that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress should be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia."
Analgesics in Protocols
If pain is a possibility after an experimental procedure, post-procedural analgesics should be given routinely rather than "as needed". After most surgical procedures, it's standard practice to give analgesics during the first 24-48 hours after a potentially painful procedure.