Systemic Hypertension in Pet Rats
Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
3 cited drugs treat Systemic Hypertension in pet rats: Atenolol, Benazepril, Diltiazem.
Persistently elevated systemic blood pressure, most often secondary to renal disease, hyperthyroidism, or hyperadrenocorticism. Amlodipine remains first-line in cats; ACE inhibitors and telmisartan figure heavily in canine and protein-losing nephropathy protocols.
The overview above describes Systemic Hypertension across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to pet rats — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Atenolol(Tenormin)
Cardiovascular| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.2–2 mg/kg | q24h | Hypertension and tachyarrhythmias (beta-blocker) | Moderate | Jepson L. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, WB Saunders, New York, NY; 2009. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.794 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.5 (Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Benazepril(Fortekor, Lotensin)
Cardiovascular| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.05–0.1 mg/kg | q24h | Heart failure, hypertension, chronic renal failure (ACE inhibitor) | Moderate | Jepson L. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, WB Saunders, New York, NY; 2009. | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.794 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.5 (Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Diltiazem(Cardizem, Dilacor)
Cardiovascular| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q12-24h | Hypertension and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (calcium channel blocker) | Moderate | Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. | Jepson L. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, WB Saunders, New York, NY; 2009. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.794 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.5 (Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.