Use of Analgesics, Tranquilizers, and Anesthetic Agents in Laboratory Animals

The appropriate use of analgesics, tranquilizers, and anesthetic agents to prevent pain, distress, and suffering in research animals is mandated by Public Law 89-544 (Animal Welfare Act) and its amendments, PHS policy, and institutional policies. Assistance in selecting suitable agents, dosages, and routes of administration can be obtained from the veterinary staff in DLAR. Some general recommendations for anesthetic and analgesic agents and doses are listed below. Specific information can be obtained from the DLAR veterinary staff at ext. 7-6166.

Medications/drugs may be obtained from DLAR by submitting a Request for Medication/Drugs for Experimental Animals . This form is available by visiting the forms page or by calling DLAR at ext. 7-6166.

Management of Pain and Distress

Pain and distress greater than that induced by injections or simple percutaneous blood sampling should be relieved by the use of anesthetics and/or analgesics.

Species specific anesthetic cocktails (mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, pig) are available to investigators through the Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) ext. 7-6166. They are combinations of xylazine an alpha2 agonist, and ketamine a dissociative anesthetic, with/without acepromazine a tranquilizer.

The following charts describe the commonly used anesthetics and analgesics at UTHSCSA. Controlled drugs (barbiturates, valium, butorphanol, buprenorphine, morphine, etc.) are not available through DLAR and should be purchased and handled under an investigator's personal DEA registration. Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled drug as of August 12, 1999. Anesthetic cocktails containing ketamine can still be purchased through DLAR but must be logged in a controlled substances log book as the cocktail is used.

Paralytic agents (pancuronium, succinylcholine, etc.) are not analgesics and must be used in combination with anesthetics during painful procedures. Animals must be monitored for changes in heart rate and blood pressure parameters to insure adequate levels of anesthesia.

The veterinary staff welcomes your questions regarding the use of new/different anesthetic agents for your procedures and can be reached at ext. 7-6166.

Routes of Administration

• IM = Intramuscular
• IV = Intraveneous
• IP = Intraperitoneal
• SC or SQ = Subcutaneous
• PO = Per Os (Oral)

Dosage / Species Tables