Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
Diltiazem is dosed at 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q12-24h in pet rats, per Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. | Jepson L. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, WB Saunders, New York, NY; 2009. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.794 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Diltiazem is used in pet rats for Hypertension and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (calcium channel blocker). Routes documented in pet rats: PO. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Diltiazem in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Cardizem, Dilacor
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q12-24h | Hypertension and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (calcium channel blocker) | Moderate | Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. | Jepson L. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, WB Saunders, New York, NY; 2009. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.794 (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.
Blocks L-type calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle. Slows AV conduction, reduces heart rate, and reduces myocardial oxygen demand.
Monitor heart rate and blood pressure. Drug of choice for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Bradycardia, hypotension, AV block possible. Do not combine with beta-blockers without caution.
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.
Diltiazem dose range in pet rats, with cited source references: PO 0.5–1 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Diltiazem in pet rats: PO.
Diltiazem is indicated in pet rats for: Hypertension and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (calcium channel blocker).
These are general warnings for Diltiazem across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Monitor heart rate and blood pressure. Drug of choice for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Bradycardia, hypotension, AV block possible. Do not combine with beta-blockers without caution.
Why a species-specific page? Diltiazem 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.