Veterinary Drugs & Dosages Table
Squirrel
This section is intended as a reference for veterinary surgeons only
Any medications dispensed or administered, or procedures performed, should only be by or under order of a qualified, licensed veterinary surgeon. Given the current scarcity of drugs licensed for use in wildlife, the responsible use of the cascade system is recommended. Drug information and dosages are derived from a variety of sources (see references), and do not necessarily guarantee safety or efficacy.
Streptomycin and procaine penicillin TOXIC to rats and mice so possibly also toxic to squirrels
| DRUG | DOSE | ROUTE | DIRECTIONS | USES/NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxycillin trihydrate (Betamox LA 150mg/ml) | 150mg/kg | IM | ||
| Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Synulox/Augmentin) |
2ml/kg | PO | ||
| Cefalexin | 60mg/kg | PO | ||
| 15mg/kg | SC | |||
| Enrofloxacin (Baytril 5%) | 10mg/kg | SC, PO | SID | |
| Oxytetracycline (long acting) | 60mg/kg | SC, IM | SID every 3 days | |
| Potentiated sulphonamides (trimethoprim/sulfadiazine) | 120mg/kg | SC, IM | ||
| 0.5ml/kg | 24% solution = 240mg/ml = 0.5ml/kg |
| DRUG | DOSE | ROUTE | DIRECTIONS | USES/NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buprenorphine (Temgesic/Vetergesic) | 0.05-0.5mg/kg | SC, IM, IP, IV | q6-12 hrs | |
| Butorphanol (Torbugesic) | 1-2mg/kg | SC | q4 hrs | |
| Carprofen (Rimadyl/Zenecarp) | 5mg/kg | SC, PO | SID | |
| Meloxicam | 1-2mg/kg | SC, PO | SID |
| DRUG | DOSE | ROUTE | DIRECTIONS | USES/NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acepromazine | 0.5-1mg/kg | |||
| Atipamezole (Antisedan) | 1mg/kg | SC | Reversal of medetomidine | |
| Diazepam (Valium) | 3-5 mg/kg | IM | ||
| Ketamine + diazepam | 75mg/kg + 8mg/kg | IP | Light anaesthesia for 20-30mins | |
| Ketamine + medetomidine | 75 mg/kg + 0.5 mg/kg |
IP | Surgical anaesthesia for 20-30 | |
| Midazolam/fentanyl/fluanisone (MFF) | *2.7 ml/kg | IP | Surgical anaesthesia. *Dose in ml/kg of a mixture of 1 part fentanyl/fluanisone plus 2 parts water for injection and 1 part midazolam (5 mg/ml initial concentration) |
| DRUG | DOSE | ROUTE | DIRECTIONS | USES/NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fenbendazole | 20mg/kg | PO | SID x 5 days | For GI nematodes |
| Fipronil | 7.5mg/kg | topically | q30-60 days | Anti-flea treatment |
| Ivermectin | 0.2-0.4mg/kg | SC, topical | q7-14 days | Ecto-and endoparasiticide Dilute in propylene glycol for topical use |
| Praziquantel (Droncit) | 6-10mg/kg | SC, PO | q10 days x 2-3 treatments | For cestodes |
| DRUG | DOSE | ROUTE | DIRECTIONS | USES/NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isotonic fluids | Between 50-100ml/kg/day | Mainly SC route | Warm fluids | Assume minimum 10% dehydration on arrival, add as appropriate |
| Lactated Ringer’s Solution | 10-25ml/kg | SC, IP, IV | slow bolus | Fluid therapy |
| DRUG | DOSE | ROUTE | DIRECTIONS | USES/NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atropine | 0.05-0.1mg/kg | SC | Bradycardia | |
| Cimetidine (Tagamet) | 5-10mg/kg | PO, SC, IM | q 6-12 hrs | Gastric and duodenal ulcers |
| Dexamethasone | 0.5-2mg/kg | SC, IM, IV | Corticosteroid: SELDOM INDICATED IN RODENTS | |
| Doxapram (Dopram) | 5-10mg/kg | IV, IP | Respiratory stimulant | |
| Frusimide (lasix 5%) *2 | 2-10mg/kg | PO, SC, IM | q6-12 hrs | Diuretic |
| Metoclopromide | 0.2-1mg/kg | PO, SC, IM | BID | Motility stimulant |
| Pentobarbital sodium (Pentobarbital) *5 | 150-200mg/kg, or as necessary | IP, IV | Euthanasia | |
| Vitamin K | 1-10mg/kg | IM | BID x 4-6 days | Select bleeding disorders and toxicities |
References
*1 BSAVA Manual of Wildlife Casualties
*2 Irish Veterinary Journal Volume 61 Number 3, Michelle Ward BSc BVSc (Hons I) DZooMed (Mammalian) MRCVS
*3 Flecknell, Paul. “Anaesthesia and analgesia for rodents and rabbits.” Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine
*4 Exotic Animal Formulary, third edition
*5 American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines on Euthanasia (rat dose)
