We use a local anesthetic (bupivicaine) in our rats following MCAO or ICH surgery (administered before surgery, as well as after surgery). However, we avoid using analgesics like buprenorphine for pain management. This is both due to the potential for neuroprotection, as well as to prevent rats from destroying their sutures/incisions/implants (based on past experience). We do give metacam following implantation of a core temperature telemetry probe to combat infection, among other probes, but the timing of this administration is considered carefully and planned around the MCAO or ICH surgery dates so as to not affect results.