Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
Alfaxalone is dosed at 2–5 mg/kg IV single induction dose in pet rats, per Lau C, Ranasinghe MG, Shiels I, et al. Plasma pharmacokinetics of alfaxalone after a single intraperitoneal or intravenous injection of Alfaxan® in rats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2013;36:516-520. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.782 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Alfaxalone is used in pet rats for Anesthesia induction. Routes documented in pet rats: IV. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Alfaxalone in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Alfaxan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 2–5 mg/kg | single induction dose | Anesthesia induction | Weak | Lau C, Ranasinghe MG, Shiels I, et al. Plasma pharmacokinetics of alfaxalone after a single intraperitoneal or intravenous injection of Alfaxan® in rats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2013;36:516-520. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.782 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your pet rat's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Neuroactive steroid that modulates GABA-A receptors, producing dose-dependent sedation to general anesthesia.
Apnea with rapid IV injection — titrate slowly. No analgesic properties. Short shelf life once broached (use within 6 hours unless preserved formulation). Good safety profile in exotic species.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for pet rats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Alfaxalone dose range in pet rats, with cited source references: IV 2–5 mg/kg single induction dose. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Alfaxalone in pet rats: IV.
Alfaxalone is indicated in pet rats for: Anesthesia induction.
These are general warnings for Alfaxalone across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Apnea with rapid IV injection — titrate slowly. No analgesic properties. Short shelf life once broached (use within 6 hours unless preserved formulation). Good safety profile in exotic species.
Why a species-specific page? Alfaxalone pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in pet rats — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.