Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
Buprenorphine is dosed at 0.6–1 mg/kg SC q72h in pet rats, per Chum HH, Jampachairsri K, Mckeon GP, et al. Antinociceptive effects of sustained-release buprenorphine in a model of incisional pain in rats (Rattus norvegicus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2014;53:193-197. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.790 (2026-08-01).. Buprenorphine is used in pet rats for Pain (long-acting depot, e.g. Bup-SR), Pain (opioid, repeat dosing). Routes documented in pet rats: SC. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Buprenorphine in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Simbadol, Buprenex
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 0.6–1 mg/kg | q72h | Pain (long-acting depot, e.g. Bup-SR) | Strong | Chum HH, Jampachairsri K, Mckeon GP, et al. Antinociceptive effects of sustained-release buprenorphine in a model of incisional pain in rats (Rattus norvegicus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2014;53:193-197. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.790 (2026-08-01). |
| SC | 0.05–0.1 mg/kg | q6-12h | Pain (opioid, repeat dosing) | Strong | Quesenberry, Orcutt, Mans & Carpenter, Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Table 37.6 'Analgesic Drug Dosages Recommended in Small Mammals', p.552 - Rat: buprenorphine 0.05-0.5 SC, IM q6h (table footnote: 'Doses are in milligram per kilogram unless specified otherwise') |
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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.
Partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors with high receptor affinity. Provides analgesia with a ceiling effect on respiratory depression.
OTM (oral transmucosal) absorption effective in cats. Ceiling effect limits maximum analgesia. Difficult to reverse with naloxone due to high receptor affinity.
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.
Buprenorphine dose ranges in pet rats, with cited source references: SC 0.6–1 mg/kg q72h; SC 0.05–0.1 mg/kg q6-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Buprenorphine in pet rats: SC.
Buprenorphine is indicated in pet rats for: Pain (long-acting depot, e.g. Bup-SR), Pain (opioid, repeat dosing).
These are general warnings for Buprenorphine across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. OTM (oral transmucosal) absorption effective in cats. Ceiling effect limits maximum analgesia. Difficult to reverse with naloxone due to high receptor affinity.
Why a species-specific page? Buprenorphine 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.