ClearH2O FAQ

If you have additional questions, please contact ClearH2O at
1-888-493-7645 or

Why might MediGel FBZ be different shades of blue?
How do you use MediGel FBZ?
How do I add medications to MediGel Sucralose?
What does Barrier Packed mean?
What Products are Barrier Packed?
How do I calculate the medication dosage for using MediGel Sucralose?
Why does DietGel Recovery sometimes have white specs on the bottom?
Why does the color of DietGel Recovery vary from case to case?
How much HydroGel do I need to supply for an animal during shipment?
What is the recommended dosage for FiberBites?
Why would I want the gels in a liquid form?
Can I use DietGel Recovery for support during shipments?
What is the difference between DietGel Recovery and DietGel 76A?
What is the best way to store ClearH2O products?
Why are gel products a good choice for research animals?

Why might MediGel FBZ be different shades of blue?

The change in blue color is a result of photobleaching that occurs during the irradiation process.   Because there are “hotspots” within the irradiation chamber, some of the product is subjected to a higher irradiation dose, resulting in a reduced blue color.  Irradiation has no impact on drug efficacy or product stability.

How do you use MediGel FBZ?

MediGel FBZ is an efficient and cost-effective way to treat pinworm infection or to use as a prophylactic during quarantine.  Each 4oz cups contains 150ppm of Fenbendazole, the industry standard.

MediGel FBZ is commonly placed on the top of the cage in the water bottle slot.  To use on the top of the cage, remove the water bottle and place the gel on the wire lid.  The gel will not fall through the wire lid.  Removing the gel is achieved by simply placing your finger between the gel and the cup.  The gel will pop out easily.  After the gel is removed, set the cup gently on top of the gel to prevent evaporation (MediGel is 98% water).  Mice and rats will be able to reach the gel through the wire lid, getting their hydration and medication at the same time. If placing the cup on top of the cage is not an option, the gel can easily be placed on the cage floor.

One cup will hydrate and medicate 5 mice or 2 rats for 3-4 days.  It is recommended that cups be replaced on a standard schedule, twice a week on Tuesday and Friday.  This ensures that the gel remains fresh and that the animals get consistent hydration and medication.

How do I add medications to MediGel Sucralose?

There are two ways to add medications to Sucralose: via syringe through the top of the foil cup lid or by removing the foil lid and mixing the drug directly into the gel.

The most commonly used method is to use a syringe to deliver a medication through the foil lid.  After the medication is added, it is easiest to shake the cup vigorously for 10 seconds to mix the medication evenly in the gel.  Because Sucralose has a softer gel consistency, no pre-heating of the gel is required.  We do, however, recommended having the gel at room temperature before mixing the medication. One trick to ensure that the medication is mixed evenly into the gel is to add a natural food color dye with the medication solution.  This enables a visual confirmation of the mixing. 

After the medication is added, it is best to place the gel into a refrigerator for 30 minutes prior to using the gel with the animals.  The cooler temperature allows the gel to set and also protects the medicant during storage. 

One 2oz cup will hydrate and medicate 5 mice for two days. 

What does Barrier Packed mean?

Barrier Packed products contain cups or pouches inside of a medical grade tyvek bag. This saves labor by eliminating the need to wash individual cups or pouches.

What Products are Barrier Packed?

HydroGel 8 oz
HydroGel 6 oz
HydroGel 2oz cup

DietGel Recovery 6 oz
DietGel Recovery 2 oz
DietGel 76A
DietGel Boost
DietGel Criticare

MediGel FBZ 4 oz
MediGel Criticare 2 oz

How do I calculate the medication dosage for using MediGel Sucralose?

To answer this question, it is best ot use an example calculation. In this calculation, we are using a drug concentration of 10mg/kg/day.

  1. For a 30 gram mouse, use 10mg/kg x 0.03kg = 0.3mg of drug/day/mouse.
  2. A 30-35 gram mouse on average will consume 7ml of gel per day (about 0.2 ounces), so we would want a concentration of 0.30mg/7ml/gel = 0.04mg/ml.
  3. Because our products are in 2oz containers (60ml) you would want to add 2.4mg of ibuprofen to one cup of MediGel Sucralose (60ml x 0.04mg/ml - 2.4 mg)
  4. One cup of MediGel Sucralose medicates and hydrates 4-5 mice for 2 days.

Why does DietGel Recovery sometimes have white specs on the bottom?

Similar to chocolate in chocolate milk, non-soluble minerals settle on the bottom of the DietGel Recovery, showing up as white specs or clumps. The non-soluble minerals do not affect the nutritional integrity of the product, making it 100% safe to use for your research animal.

Why does the color of DietGel Recovery vary from case to case?

Color variation occurs during our sterilization process. When DietGel Recovery is produced the color is a milky white. The product is then sterilized. The irradiation process changes the product color from a milky white to a caramel color. Product position within the chamber results in color variation. All of the product is 100% sterile and safe to use.

How much HydroGel do I need to supply for an animal during shipment?

The amount of HydroGel required is dependent on the species of animal, the number of days in transit, and the number of animals.

Daily water consumption differs by animal.  Please note many factors such as ambient temperature, animal weight and environmental conditions impact the daily water consumption. The suggested values listed below should be used as a guideline for the frequently shipped animals.

Mouse 4-7 g
Rat 24-60g
Guinea Pig 50-80g
Rabbit 100 to 600g

The number of days in transit also impacts the amount of hydration.  Determine the number of days the animal will be in transit, then add one (1) day in the event of unexpected delay.  For example, a three (3) day shipment will require at least four (4) days of hydration.  Multiplying the daily water consumption by the duration of travel plus one extra day provides the amount of hydration required for one animal.  Hydration for more than one animal is calculated by multiplying the hydration requirement for one animal by the number of animals being shipped.

What is the recommended dosage for FiberBites?

FiberBites provide an easy to administer, readily accepted source of fiber for nonhuman primates. Each bite contains approximately 0.8 grams of inulin, a probiotic fiber source that promotes a healthy gastrointestinal tract.

The general recommend daily dose of fiber in NHPs is 1.5 to 2 grams per kg per day. Assuming the primate weighs 7 kilos – it requires 11 to 14 grams of fiber per day. To convert grams of fiber needed to the proper number of FiberBites, divide the daily fiber dose by 0.8 grams.

For example, 11 to 14 grams of fiber equals 14 to 18 FiberBites; we would recommend starting with 7 pieces twice a day and increasing to 9 depending upon your results.

You should see stool improvement within several days to a week.

Why would I want the gels in a liquid form?

LabGel, when heated to its fluid form, can easily be poured into an enrichment device. Oral medications may also be administered by adding them to the gel in its liquid form. When heated, the gels transform into a semi-liquid, and when cooled to room temperature, they revert back to their original states. HydroGel and LabGel are Thermo-Reversible. Thermo-Reversibility is a unique attribute of ClearH2O gel products.

We recommend heating unopened pouches in hot water until the gel reaches melting temperature and becomes fluid. Melting temperatures will vary from 130 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Caution should be used in handling gels after heating to prevent burns.

Once the medication is added to the liquefied gel, we recommend transferring to a container with a large surface base to facilitate heat transfer and to minimize the amount of time that the drug may be exposed to elevated temperatures. Refrigeration may be used to shorten the time it takes for the gel to return to its semi-solid state.

Can I use DietGel Recovery for support during shipments?

DietGel Recovery is an excellent choice as a hydration source when shipping mice and rats. Many sites have successfully used DietGel Recovery during transport of rodents who arrive dry, healthy and require less time to acclimate. DietGel Recovery is sterile purified water gel containing 60% water. It is fortified with calories and minerals and provides 155 kcals/ 100 grams.

When shipping guinea pigs we recommend using HydroGel. In a recent study conducted by Charles River Laboratories, consumption and weight loss of guinea pigs during transit was significantly better with HydroGel compared to a sweetened gel. The study showed that animals consumed more HydroGel, therefore preventing body weight loss and decreasing clinical pathologic indicators of dehydration.

What is the difference between DietGel Recovery and DietGel 76A?

DietGel 76A is a new soft diet with a full complement of carbohydrate, fat and protein. It is fortified with both AIN mineral and vitamin mix. A superior alternative to mash diet, DietGel 76A can be used as the sole source of nutrition and hydration for long periods of time, reducing time and labor costs.

DietGel Recovery is a nutrient fortified hydration gel designed to provide compromised rodents a palatable source of hydration and energy and is an excellent solution for:

Carbohydrates, fat and smaller amounts of protein provide the source of calories in DietGel Recovery. Because the formula does not contain vitamins and has lower levels of protein than standard diets, it is not recommended as a sole source of nutrition for long periods of time. For a sole source of nutrition use DietGel76A.

Both DietGel Recovery and 76A are formulated with purified ingredients free from contaminants that can be found in grain-based products.

What is the best way to store ClearH2O products?

Unopened ClearH20 products are designed to be stored at room temperature and do not require special handling. Typical shelf life for ClearH20 products ranges from 12 to 18 months.

Why are gel products a good choice for research animals?

Unlike water bottles and mash diets, gels provide a consistent amount of hydration and nutrition without wetting the animal. While particularly useful when transporting animals, HydroGel, LabGel, and DietGel are also great choices for recovering animals and special needs animals who require consistent, easy-to-consume diet support. In addition, gels take the variables out of animal nutrition, therefore protecting results.