Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
Amitriptyline is dosed at 5–20 mg/kg PO q24h in pet rats, per 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.798 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Amitriptyline is used in pet rats for Chronic anxiety / behavioural (antidepressant). Routes documented in pet rats: PO. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Amitriptyline in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Elavil
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–20 mg/kg | q24h | Chronic anxiety / behavioural (antidepressant) | Weak | 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.798 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Inhibits reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Also has anticholinergic, antihistaminic, and alpha-adrenergic blocking properties.
Allow 2-4 weeks for behavioral effects. Sedation, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation. CONTRAINDICATED with MAOIs. Serotonin syndrome risk with tramadol. Cardiotoxic in overdose.
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.
Amitriptyline dose range in pet rats, with cited source references: PO 5–20 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Amitriptyline in pet rats: PO.
Amitriptyline is indicated in pet rats for: Chronic anxiety / behavioural (antidepressant).
These are general warnings for Amitriptyline across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Allow 2-4 weeks for behavioral effects. Sedation, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation. CONTRAINDICATED with MAOIs. Serotonin syndrome risk with tramadol. Cardiotoxic in overdose.
Why a species-specific page? Amitriptyline 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.