Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg
Dextrose is dosed at 0.5–1 ml/kg IV IV bolus in rabbits, per Gladden JN, Lennox AM. Emergency and critical care of small mammals. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcu[tt] CJ, [eds.] doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-6621-7.00038-5 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.895 (2026-08-01).. Dextrose is used in rabbits for Hypoglycemia, Mild hypoglycemia. Routes documented in rabbits: IV, PO. A typical adult rabbit weighs 1.00–5.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Dextrose in rabbits, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: D5W, D50W
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.5–1 ml/kg | IV bolus | Until stable | Hypoglycemia | Moderate | Gladden JN, Lennox AM. Emergency and critical care of small mammals. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcu[tt] CJ, [eds.] doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-6621-7.00038-5 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.895 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | Rub Karo syrup on gums for immediate treatment | Corn syrup on gums | Emergency first aid | Mild hypoglycemia | Moderate | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your rabbit's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Simple glucose providing immediate energy substrate. Raises blood glucose directly. Osmotic effect at high concentrations.
50% dextrose is very hypertonic — must dilute to <12.5% for peripheral IV (thrombophlebitis). Rebound hypoglycemia possible. Monitor blood glucose. Hyperglycemia risk.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for rabbits may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dextrose dose ranges in rabbits, with cited source references: IV 0.5–1 ml/kg IV bolus; PO Rub Karo syrup on gums for immediate treatment Corn syrup on gums. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dextrose in rabbits: IV, PO.
Cited course lengths for Dextrose in rabbits include: Until stable; Emergency first aid. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Dextrose is indicated in rabbits for: Hypoglycemia, Mild hypoglycemia.
These are general warnings for Dextrose across species; consult the rabbit dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 50% dextrose is very hypertonic — must dilute to <12.5% for peripheral IV (thrombophlebitis). Rebound hypoglycemia possible. Monitor blood glucose. Hyperglycemia risk.
Why a species-specific page? Dextrose pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in rabbits — 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.