Rodent Analgesia Service

Please give at least 7 days notice to ensure your request can be completed

In some instances RARC Veterinary Services (RARC VS) may be able to provide extended release buprenorphine (Buprenorphine ER-LAB) to your rodent models. RARC VS charges a fee for this optional service.

Buprenorphine ER-LAB rodent analgesia administration by RARC VS has two charges:

• The veterinary staff charge at $51/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).  Flat fee of $2.54 per mouse. For rats, see pricing chart.

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. RARC VS will meet with you in advance to determine an initial dosing schedule for providing analgesia to your rodents.
2. RARC VS will dose your rodents with an analgesic either in your laboratory space or in the vivarium.
3. In most cases RARC VS provides an analgesia that is a formulation of extended-release buprenorphine (Buprenorphine ER-LAB).
4. RARC VS will give Buprenorphine ER-LAB pre-procedure in cases when surgical analgesia is requested.     

PI requirements:

1. You must describe all procedures and subsequent analgesia (i.e. Buprenorphine ER-LAB) in your animal-use protocol. See language below.*
2. The PI/research staff is responsible for monitoring all animals post-procedure as per your approved protocol.
   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 noncontrolled substance analgesia that rodents may require in addition to the analgesic given by RARC VS.
4. Analgesic services are only available non-holiday weekdays during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Analgesic administration should be timed so that all dosing is completed no later than 3 p.m.
5. You must clearly mark the cages of all animals receiving RARC analgesia services.
6. 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 time of analgesic administration.
7. 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, if needed. 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 Buprenorphine ER-LAB:

• Rodents may (or may not) 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 at the discretion of the RARC veterinarian for the duration of treatment. (Do not keep animals on wood chip or corncob bedding if pica is observed after administration).
• Mild weight loss has been observed post-procedurally in rodents administered opioids.
• Use with caution in rodents with preexisting respiratory deficiencies.