J Am Assoc Lab Anim
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J Am Assoc Lab Anim · Nov 2006
Comparative StudyLack of analgesic efficacy in female rats of the commonly recommended oral dose of buprenorphine.
Previous work in our laboratory showed that the recommended oral dose of buprenorphine (0.5 mg/kg) was not as effective as the standard therapeutic subcutaneous dose for postoperative analgesia in male Long-Evans (hooded) and Sprague-Dawley (albino) rats. The aim of the current study was to extend this analysis to female rats. ⋯ Estrous cycle stage (proestrus versus diestrus) did not affect the analgesic effects of buprenorphine, but rats in proestrus showed significantly lower pain thresholds (less tolerance to pain) than did those in diestrus. These results show that the oral dose of buprenorphine recommended for postoperative analgesic care does not induce significant analgesia in female rats and therefore is not as effective as the standard subcutaneous dose.
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J Am Assoc Lab Anim · Nov 2006
Comparative StudyComparison of three anesthetic protocols for intraduodenal drug administration using endoscopy in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).
The purpose of this study was to evaluate 3 anesthetic protocols for intraduodenal drug administration by endoscopy in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Anesthesia was induced using intramuscular ketamine and midazolam, isoflurane (inhalant gas), or intravenous propofol in male and female rhesus monkeys. A noninvasive dosing line was placed in the duodenum by use of endoscopy, and 50% dextrose (3 ml/kg) was administered. ⋯ Recovery from isoflurane and propofol was significantly faster than from ketamine-midazolam. Duration of the recovery period after isoflurane was less variable than with propofol, but isoflurane produced greater hypothermia. Isoflurane and propofol resulted in predictable glucose absorption after intraduodenal dextrose administration, whereas ketamine-midazolam led to an inconsistent increase in glycemia.
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Fenbendazole is commonly used in laboratory animal medicine as an anthelmintic for elimination of pinworms. It is generally regarded as a safe drug with minimal side effects. ⋯ Analysis of the breeding records revealed that feeding Sprague-Dawley rats a diet containing fenbendazole on a continuous basis for 7 consecutive weeks was associated with a significant reduction in litter size. Although the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown, the finding prompts caution when using fenbendazole to treat valuable breeding colonies or strains that are poor breeders.