Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
Hetastarch is dosed at 1–10 mL/kg IV not stated in source in pet rats, per Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.797 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Hetastarch is used in pet rats for Hypotension; shock (colloid). Routes documented in pet rats: IV. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Hetastarch in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Hextend, Hespan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 1–10 mL/kg | not stated in source | Hypotension; shock (colloid) | Moderate | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.797 (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.
Synthetic colloid maintaining intravascular oncotic pressure. Larger molecular weight than crystalloids providing longer intravascular duration (24 hours).
Coagulopathy risk (dilution and direct effect on vWF/Factor VIII). Acute kidney injury risk in critically ill. Max dose 20ml/kg/day in dogs. Not recommended in cats. Falling out of favor.
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.
Hetastarch dose range in pet rats, with cited source references: IV 1–10 mL/kg not stated in source. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Hetastarch in pet rats: IV.
Hetastarch is indicated in pet rats for: Hypotension; shock (colloid).
These are general warnings for Hetastarch across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Coagulopathy risk (dilution and direct effect on vWF/Factor VIII). Acute kidney injury risk in critically ill. Max dose 20ml/kg/day in dogs. Not recommended in cats. Falling out of favor.
Why a species-specific page? Hetastarch 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.