Ivermectin for Pet Rats

Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg

Ivermectin is dosed at 0.4 mg/kg SC q7-14d (printed preferred 0.4 mg/kg q7d) 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. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.777 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350. Ivermectin is used in pet rats for Fur mites / ear mites. Routes documented in pet rats: SC. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ivermectin in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Ivomec, Heartgard

Contraindicated in Tortoise / Turtle

Tortoise / Turtle: Ivermectin causes fatal toxicosis in chelonians at doses other reptiles tolerate

Chelonians are far more sensitive than lizards and snakes: doses routine elsewhere in reptile practice have produced paralysis and death in turtles and tortoises. Do not use ivermectin in chelonians; use fenbendazole or another alternative. (The cited study did find 0.05 mg/kg IM tolerated in red-footed tortoises when not repeated inside 7 days, so the hazard is dose- and interval-dependent rather than absolute — but that margin is far too narrow to work to in a clinical setting.)

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC	0.4 mg/kg	q7-14d (printed preferred 0.4 mg/kg q7d)	Fur mites / ear mites	Moderate	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. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.777 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350

What each reference text prints

Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.

Printed doses in mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
0.2–0.4	PO	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 9.2	0.2-0.4 mg/kg PO, SC q7-14d
0.2–0.5	SC	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 9.2	0.2-0.5 mg/kg SC, PO q7-14d

Printed doses in mg/l for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/l)	Route	Source	As printed
25	—	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 9.2	25 mg/L drinking water × 4 days/wk × 5 wk
48

Side effects & warnings

TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Ivermectin for Pet Rats?

Ivermectin dose range in pet rats, with cited source references: SC 0.4 mg/kg q7-14d (printed preferred 0.4 mg/kg q7d). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Ivermectin administered in Pet Rats?

Documented routes for Ivermectin in pet rats: SC.

What conditions does Ivermectin treat in Pet Rats?

Ivermectin is indicated in pet rats for: Fur mites / ear mites.

What are the side effects of Ivermectin in Pet Rats?

These are general warnings for Ivermectin across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.

Why a species-specific page? Ivermectin 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.