RODENT ANESTHESIA COCKTAIL AND
RABBIT TRANQUILIZATION

RODENT ANESTHESIA COCKTAIL

Start with a fresh vial of Ketamine HCl which contains:

Ketamine HCl (100 mg/ml) 5 ml

Add: Xylazine HCl (100 mg/ml) 0.5 ml

LABEL BOTTLE IMMEDIATELY WITH AT LEAST A LARGE "K/X"

Dosage: Mice: 0.1 ml/100 grams body weight (IM, SQ, IP)
(equivalent to 90 mg/kg ketamine and 9 mg/kg xylazine)
Rats: 0.07 ml/100 grams body weight (IM, SQ, IP)
(equivalent to 63 mg/kg ketamine and 6 mg/kg xylazine)

Note: Ketamine is a DEA Schedule III drug and must be kept in a double-locked area with appropriate records of administration.

Atropine may be given 5-10 minutes before cocktail to decrease cardiac depression at a dose of 0.04 mg/kg (IM/SQ)

USUALLY provides 45-60 minutes of anesthesia (each animal is different and dosage may have to be adjusted)

One quarter of the original dose should be given every 20-30 minutes to maintain longer anesthesia or when the animal becomes light. (IM)

This dosage is for surgical anesthesia. Lower doses (1/2) can be used for safe, quick tranquilization when non-surgical manipulation is required.

Yobine (Yohimbine 2 mg/ml) - Xyalzine Reversing Agent

Dosage: 1-2 mg/kg (IP). Effect usually rapid, withing 1-3 minutes.

Acepromazine (10 mg/ml) 2 mg/kg (SQ or IM) or 1 mg/kg (IV)

This is given 10-15 minutes prior to ear vein or artery bleeding. Will provide sedation to the rabbit and cause vasodilation, making blood collection easier for both rabbit and collector.

Rev 2/14/02