Sedation in Mice

Pocket Pet · Mus musculus · typical adult weight 0.02–0.04 kg

5 cited drugs treat Sedation in mice: Acepromazine, Diazepam, Ketamine, Midazolam, Xylazine.

Pharmacologic sedation for diagnostic procedures, minor surgical interventions, and pre-anaesthetic premedi-cation. α2 agonists (dexmedetomidine, medetomidine), phenothiazines (acepromazine), and benzodiazepines (midazolam) form the backbone of veterinary protocols.

The overview above describes Sedation across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to mice — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Acepromazine(PromAce, Atravet)

Sedative

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.5–1 mg/kg	Not stated	Sedation / premedication	Moderate	130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630.; 172. Wenger S. Anesthesia and analgesia in rabbits and rodents. J Exot Pet Med. 2012;21:7-16. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.782 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2011.11.010

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Diazepam(Valium)

Sedative

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	2.5–5 mg/kg	Not stated	Sedation / premedication	Moderate	122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.784 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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Ketamine(Ketaset, Vetalar)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	22–44 mg/kg	once	Sedation	Moderate	130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.784 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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Midazolam(Versed)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	2–3 mg/kg	once	Sedation	Moderate	172. Wenger S. Anesthesia and analgesia in rabbits and rodents. J Exot Pet Med. 2012;21:7-16. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.787 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2011.11.010
IM	1–2 mg/kg	once (preanesthetic)	Preanesthetic sedation	Moderate	130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.787 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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Xylazine(Rompun, AnaSed)

Sedative

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM, IP	5–10 mg/kg	once	Sedation (alpha-2 agonist)	Moderate	127. Mitchell MA, Tully Jr.T.N, eds. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice, Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2009. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.788 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Xylazine dosing in Mice →Calculate for this mouse →

All drugs cited for Sedation →All drugs for Mice →

Other conditions in Mice

Bacterial Infections Pain Management Ectoparasites Endoparasites Flea and Tick Control Systemic Fungal Infections Coccidiosis Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)

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.