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. Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.6 (Emergency Drugs Used in Rodents). The held copy is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the TABLE, not the page, is the citable location. SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary -- ISBN 9780323833929. 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. Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.6 (Emergency Drugs Used in Rodents). The held copy is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the TABLE, not the page, is the citable location. SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary -- ISBN 9780323833929 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5–2 | SC | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 9.6 | - 0.5-2 mg/kg SC, IM, IV |
| 0.5–2 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 9.7 | - 0.5-2 mg/kg PO, SC, then A decreasing dose q12h × 3-14 days |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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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.