Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
Dexamethasone is dosed at 0.5–2 mg/kg SC, IM, IV not stated in source in pet rats, per 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.796 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Dexamethasone is used in pet rats for Anti-inflammatory. Routes documented in pet rats: SC, IM, IV. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Dexamethasone in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Azium, Dexafort
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM, IV | 0.5–2 mg/kg | not stated in source | Anti-inflammatory | Weak | 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.796 (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.
Potent synthetic glucocorticoid. Suppresses inflammation, immune responses, and allergic reactions. 25-30x potency of cortisol.
Immunosuppressive. PU/PD, polyphagia. Avoid in active infections without antibiotic coverage. Prolonged use causes iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. Avoid in reptiles if possible (severe immunosuppression).
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.
Dexamethasone dose range in pet rats, with cited source references: SC, IM, IV 0.5–2 mg/kg not stated in source. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dexamethasone in pet rats: SC, IM, IV.
Dexamethasone is indicated in pet rats for: Anti-inflammatory.
These are general warnings for Dexamethasone across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Immunosuppressive. PU/PD, polyphagia. Avoid in active infections without antibiotic coverage. Prolonged use causes iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. Avoid in reptiles if possible (severe immunosuppression).
Why a species-specific page? Dexamethasone 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.