Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
Methadone is dosed at 1–4 mg/kg SC, IM not stated in source in pet rats, per Allweiler SI. How to improve anesthesia and analgesia in small mammals. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2016;19:361-377. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.792 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Methadone is used in pet rats for Analgesia (full mu opioid). Routes documented in pet rats: SC, IM. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Methadone in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Methadose
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 1–4 mg/kg | not stated in source | Analgesia (full mu opioid) | Moderate | Allweiler SI. How to improve anesthesia and analgesia in small mammals. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2016;19:361-377. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.792 (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.
Full mu-opioid receptor agonist providing analgesia. Also antagonizes NMDA receptors and inhibits serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake, contributing to multimodal analgesia.
Respiratory depression. Bradycardia. No histamine release (advantage over morphine). NMDA antagonism provides wind-up prevention. Controlled substance (Schedule II). Dogs and cats.
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.
Methadone dose range in pet rats, with cited source references: SC, IM 1–4 mg/kg not stated in source. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Methadone in pet rats: SC, IM.
Methadone is indicated in pet rats for: Analgesia (full mu opioid).
These are general warnings for Methadone across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Respiratory depression. Bradycardia. No histamine release (advantage over morphine). NMDA antagonism provides wind-up prevention. Controlled substance (Schedule II). Dogs and cats.
Why a species-specific page? Methadone 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.