LAUSR

ABSTRACT Two newly acquired, one-month-old, intact male pet domestic rats (Rattus norvegicus) that were housed together presented for a wellness examination. One of the rats had malodorous, green-colored, soft feces. A pooled microscopic fecal examination demonstrated presence of Eimeria oocysts. Both rats were treated individually with ponazuril (30 mg/kg p.o.) administered in two treatments 48 hours apart. Three weekly pooled fecal samples following treatment were negative, suggesting clearing of the infection. No adverse clinical signs were noted. Most reported anticoccidian treatments in rodents describe prolonged treatment protocols or administration of treatment in the water, which can result in unnecessary stress and handling, or ineffective and uncontrolled level of drug administration, respectively. This is the first report of the favorable clinical experience of this treatment protocol, suggesting it is efficacious, easy to administer, and safe when treating similar infections in rats.