Rodent Analgesia Service

Please give at least 7 days notice to ensure your request can be completed. Urgent requests may be accommodated if staffing allows, but is subject to a $50 "rush" fee.

*NOTICE!* RARC will no longer provide compounded Buprenorphine ER as a part of our rodent analgesia service. Instead, we will use Ethiqa XR, which is an extended-release pharmaceutical-grade buprenorphine for use in mice, rats, and ferrets. We are making this change for two reasons:

1. Due to regulatory changes, once a bottle of compounded Buprenorphine ER is punctured, we can only legally use it for an additional 28 days. While Ethiqa is more expensive, the expiration date after puncturing the bottle is 90 days, allowing more time to use the contents.
2. Buprenorphine ER is a compounded product, and not FDA-indexed/pharmaceutical grade. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals specifies that pharmaceutical grade compounds should be used, when available. Ethiqa is a relatively new formulation, and we expect regulatory agencies to begin requiring its use in the near future.

The Dosing and Pricing lists for Ethiqa XR are available in the "Related Information" box to the right.

 Rodent analgesia administration by RARC VS has two charges:

• The veterinary staff charge at $62/hour (minimum billing time 1 hour; additional time billed in 15-minute increments).
• The analgesia medication fee per dose provided, determined by weight (includes cost of syringe/needle). 

Alternate analgesia administration service pricing is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Prices for rodent analgesia services are subject to change based on availability and vendor pricing.

What you receive:

1. The Research Animal Resources and Compliance Veterinary Service (RARC VS) will meet with you in advance to determine an initial dosing schedule for providing analgesia to your rodents.
2. RARC VS will administer analgesics to your rodents either in your laboratory space or in the vivarium.
3. In most cases, RARC VS provides Ethiqa XR (pharmaceutical-grade extended-release buprenorphine) for analgesia.
4. RARC VS will administer Ethiqa XR pre-procedure when analgesia is requested.
5. Rat users are required to use paper bedding . Alpha-Pad bedding will be provided for rats by RARC VS. After the procedure, the animal should be placed in a clean cage with the Alpha-Pad bedding for three days. If this is not possible for your study, please contact the analgesia service to discuss your concerns.

Principal Investigator (PI) requirements:

1. You must describe all procedures and subsequent analgesia (e.g., Ethiqa XR) in your animal-use protocol. See language below.*
2. The PI/research staff is responsible for monitoring all animals intra- and post-procedure as per your approved protocol. For rats, sheet or square-type bedding is required. The RARC veterinary staff will bring it along when dosing. Any signs of pica (eating of bedding or nesting material) or inappetence must be reported to your veterinary staff promptly.
3. The PI/research staff is responsible for any non-controlled substance analgesia that rodents may require in addition to the analgesic given by RARC VS (ex. local anesthetics, NSAIDs).
4. Analgesic services are available only on non-holiday weekdays during regular business hours (7:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.). Analgesic administration should be timed so that all dosing is completed no later than 3:00 P.M.
5. You must clearly mark the cages of all animals receiving RARC analgesia services.
6. RARC VS will provide a document with the Ethiqa doses for your records.
7. The PI/research staff is responsible for any sign-ups for shared equipment (e.g., bio-safety cabinets in shared spaces) required during the time of procedure and/or analgesic administration.
8. Please mail the completed RARC Veterinary Service Agreement to rodentanalgesia@rarc.wisc.edu. We will review the details of your request and set up a meeting. Note: your signature isn't required on the form until we meet with you.

* Add the following information to the Anesthesia/Analgesia/Sedation section of your protocol:

* Add the following information to the Complications section of your protocol:

Potential complications for Ethiqa XR:

• Rodents may experience a reaction at the injection site.
• Rodents may exhibit pica or self-gnawing and licking behaviors and require alternate types of bedding and/or supportive care.
  • UPDATE MARCH 2025: We require rats be placed on an alternative bedding for three days after administration (the duration of analgesia).
• Mild weight loss has been observed post-procedurally in rodents administered opioids.
• Use with caution in rodents with preexisting respiratory deficiencies.