Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
Isoflurane is dosed at 2–5 % inhaled (induction setting) inhalation induction, then maintenance 0.25-4% in pet rats, per Hawkins MG, Pascoe PJ. Anesthesia, analgesia and sedation of small mammals. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:536-558. | Huerkamp M. Anesthesia and postoperative management of rabbits and pocket pets. In: Bonagura JD, eds. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XII Small Animal Practice; W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1995:1322-1327. | Mayer J. Rodents. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2013:476-516. | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. | Rivard AL, Simura KJ, Mohammed S, et al. Rat intubation and ventilation for surgical research. J Invest Surg. 2006;19:267-274. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.784 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Isoflurane is used in pet rats for Inhalant anesthesia. Routes documented in pet rats: inhalation. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Isoflurane in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: IsoFlo, Forane
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| inhalation | 2–5 % inhaled (induction setting) | induction, then maintenance 0.25-4% |
| The book prints induction and maintenance in ONE cell: '2-5% induction then 0.25-4% maintenance'. dose_low/dose_high hold the induction range only; the maintenance range 0.25-4% is carried in the frequency and here so it is not lost. |
| Inhalant anesthesia |
| Moderate |
| Hawkins MG, Pascoe PJ. Anesthesia, analgesia and sedation of small mammals. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:536-558. | Huerkamp M. Anesthesia and postoperative management of rabbits and pocket pets. In: Bonagura JD, eds. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XII Small Animal Practice; W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1995:1322-1327. | Mayer J. Rodents. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2013:476-516. | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. | Rivard AL, Simura KJ, Mohammed S, et al. Rat intubation and ventilation for surgical research. J Invest Surg. 2006;19:267-274. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.784 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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Enhances inhibitory GABA-A receptors and blocks excitatory NMDA receptors, producing dose-dependent general anesthesia.
Most commonly used inhalant anesthetic in veterinary medicine. Dose-dependent hypotension. Minimal hepatic metabolism. Use with precision vaporizer only. Suitable for all species including exotics.
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.
Isoflurane dose range in pet rats, with cited source references: inhalation 2–5 % inhaled (induction setting) induction, then maintenance 0.25-4%. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Isoflurane in pet rats: inhalation.
Cited course lengths for Isoflurane in pet rats include: The book prints induction and maintenance in ONE cell: '2-5% induction then 0.25-4% maintenance'. dose_low/dose_high hold the induction range only; the maintenance range 0.25-4% is carried in the frequency and here so it is not lost.. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Isoflurane is indicated in pet rats for: Inhalant anesthesia.
These are general warnings for Isoflurane across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Most commonly used inhalant anesthetic in veterinary medicine. Dose-dependent hypotension. Minimal hepatic metabolism. Use with precision vaporizer only. Suitable for all species including exotics.
Why a species-specific page? Isoflurane 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.