Mouse
Purpose	Drug/Dose	Route
Injection	Intraperitoneal injections (IP)should be administered in the caudal and lateral abdomen with the animal held in dorsal recumbency with head down. Subcutaneous injections (SC)are most easily administered after tenting the skin of the dorsum and aspirating to ensure proper needle position.
Anesthesia	Avertin (tribromoethanol-amylene hydrate) 0.2 ml of 1.25% solution/10 g body weight; 250 mg/kg	IP
Anesthesia	Thiopental 25-50 mg/kg	IP
Anesthesia	Pentobarbital 6 mg/kg - Neonates, 40-85 mg/kg - adult	IP
Anesthesia	Ketamine 100 mg/kg + Xylazine 10 mg/kg + Acepromazine 5 mg/kg	IP
Anesthesia	Ketamine 90-120 mg/kg + Xylazine 5-10 mg/kg	IM or IP
Anesthesia	Isoflurane + O2 to effect	Inhalation
Analgesia	Buprenorphine 0.05-0.1 mg/kg	SC
Analgesia	Meperidine 10-20 mg/kg	SC, IM
Analgesia	Butorphanol 0.05-5.0 SQ	SQ
Note:In general, IM injection in mouse is not recommended due to their reduced muscle mass.

Rat
Purpose	Drug/Dose	Route
Injection	Intraperitoneal injections (IP)should be administered in the caudal and lateral abdomen with the animal held in dorsal recumbency with head down.
Anesthesia	Isoflurane + O2 to effect	Inhalation
Anesthesia	Pentobarbital 30-50 mg/kg	IP
Anesthesia Induction	Ketamine 40-80 mg/kg + Xylazine 5 mg/kg + Atropine 0.05 mg/kg	IM, IP
Analgesia	Buprenorphine 0.02-0.05 mg/kg	SC
Analgesia	Flunixin 1.1 mg/kg	SC
Analgesia	Meperidine 25-50 mg/kg	SC, IM
Analgesia	Butorphanol 0.05-2.0mg/kg	SQ

Rabbit
Purpose	Drug/Dose	Route
Sedation	Acepromazine 0.25-0.5 mg/kg (1 mg/animal)	IV
Sedation	Acepromazine 1 - 2 mg/kg	SC, IM
Anesthesia	Pentobarbital 20-30 mg/kg	IV
Anesthesia	Isoflurane + O2 to effect	Inhalation
Anesthesia Induction	Ketamine 35-40 mg/kg+ Xylazine 5 mg/kg+ Atropine 0.2 mg/kg or Glycopyrolate	IM
Analgesia	Buprenorphine 0.01-0.05 mg/kg	IM, SC
Analgesia	Flunixin 1.1 mg/kg	IM, SC
Analgesia	Fentanyl Patch	Transdermal

Injection Guidelines

Needle Sizes, Sites for Injection, Recommended Volumes for Injection
Species	Subcutaneous (SQ or SC)	Intra-muscular (IM)	Intra-peritoneal (IP)	Intravenous (IV)
Mouse	Scruff, 2 to 3 ml, <20 G	Not recommended. Can use quadriceps or caudal thigh, 0.05 ml, <23 G	2 to 3 ml, <21 G (Trendelenburg position*, lower right quadrant)	Lateral tail vein, 0.2 ml, <25 G
Rat	Scruff, back (dorsum), 5 to 10 ml, <20 G	Not recommended. Can use quadriceps or caudal thigh, 0.3 ml, <21 G	5 to 10 ml, <21 G (Trendelenburg position*, lower right quadrant)	Lateral tail vein, 0.5 ml, <23 G
Rabbit	Scruff, flank, 30 to 50 ml, <18 G	Can use quadriceps, caudal thigh, or lumbar muscles, 0.5 to 1 ml, 20 G	50 to 100 ml, <20 G	Marginal ear vein, 1 to 5 ml (Slow bolus) or Continuous Rate Infusion, 23 G
*Trendelenburg Position:The body is held flat on back (supine position) with head down.

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References

Adapted from Flecknell, 1987 (Table 3.4); Flecknell, P.A. 1987. Laboratory animal anesthesia. London, Academic Press.

LAT Training Manual. 2000. AALAS Books, Memphis, Tennessee.