Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
Xylazine is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg IM Once in pet rats, per Mitchell MA, Tully Jr. TN, eds. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2009. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-0119-5.x5001-x — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.788 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Xylazine is used in pet rats for Anaesthesia (with ketamine). Routes documented in pet rats: IM. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Xylazine in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Rompun, AnaSed
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5–10 mg/kg | Once | Anaesthesia (with ketamine) | Moderate | Mitchell MA, Tully Jr. TN, eds. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2009. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-0119-5.x5001-x — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.788 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–10 | SC | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 9.3 | 5-10 mg/kg SC, IM, IP |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist causing dose-dependent sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation. Also activates peripheral alpha-2 receptors causing vasoconstriction and bradycardia.
Profound bradycardia and vomiting (especially cats). Cats more sensitive than dogs. Reversible with atipamezole or yohimbine. Avoid in horses with colic (ileus). 100mg/ml for large animals only.
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.
Xylazine dose range in pet rats, with cited source references: IM 5–10 mg/kg Once. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Xylazine in pet rats: IM.
Xylazine is indicated in pet rats for: Anaesthesia (with ketamine).
These are general warnings for Xylazine across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Profound bradycardia and vomiting (especially cats). Cats more sensitive than dogs. Reversible with atipamezole or yohimbine. Avoid in horses with colic (ileus). 100mg/ml for large animals only.
Why a species-specific page? Xylazine 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.