pain control for dying rat

Question
Our rat is dying of cancer tumors. The vet gave us metacam but I think she will
ned something stronger. I have Dilaudid. What dose should a rat be given?

Answer
Metacam is no better than motrin. I cant understand why these vets hold back the narcotics like that and think something like metacam that is for mild pain and inflammation, is going to help.

A rat can safely take these two narcotics and they help with moderate to severe pain:

Buprenorphine Hydrochloride (Buprenex)or Butorphanol Tartrate (Torbutrol,Torbugesic,Stadol)

They can also safely be given valium, although it is not a pain killer but is for anxiety, which helps calm a rat that is distressed.


What mg is the dilaudid ?  What does the rats weight, a guesstimate is fine.

Usually Vets dont give dilaudid or straight morphine to rats since safety for use in rats has not been established.  However, they can safely take many drugs that humans can take, so if I have a general idea of her weight and the strength of the dilaudid,  I can give you a rough idea of what it would be but the decision would be yours to give to her or not since I cannot really guarantee it is safe for her to take.