You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Drugs rarely have medicinal licenses for use in guinea pigs, and yet veterinarians have to prescribe them for their everyday treatment. Here is a list of suggested dose rates for commonly used drugs. 

The table has been derived from several published sources, and not all drugs are available in all countries. Different sources often vary greatly in their recommendations and caution should be exercised when administering high doses to guinea pigs.  Whenever possible veterinarians should use drugs that are licensed in their country for use in guinea pigs, and they should follow the manufacturers current data sheet recommendations.. Provet can not accept liability for any errors or omissions and readers are advised to check dose rates with drug manufacturers or recognised specialists in guinea pig medicine before proceeding to administer them.

Administration Codes :

IM - intramuscular injection

IP - intraperitoneum injection

IV - intravenous injection

SC - subcutaneous injection

Guinea pigs are highly susceptible to some antibiotics and the following types are NOT recommended because they can cause a fatal gastrointestinal damage with enterotoxaemia. :

• Ampicillin
• Cephalosporins
• Clindamycin
• Erythromycin
• Lincomycin
• Penicillin
• Streptomycin
• Tetracyclines

 

Drug Name	Source 1	Source 2	Source 3	Source 4	Clinical Indications
Acepromazine (acetylpromazine)	0.1-0.5 mg/kg  IM	2.5mg/kg IM	1-2mg/kg IM		Sedative or pre-anaesthetic drug
Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)	270mg/kg/day				Analgesic, antipyretic anti-inflammatory drug
Alphaxalone/alphadolone		40mg/kg IP		40mg/kg IM	Deep sedation
Atipamezole		1mg/kg SC, IM, IV, IP			Reverse medetomidine sedation
Amikacin	10mg/kg 2-3x daily SC or IM				Aminoglycoside antibiotic. Can induce acute renal failure especially in dehydrated animals, animals with renal disease or electrolyte imbalances
Amitraz	Prepare according to manufacturers instructions and apply topically 3-6 applications 14 days apart
Atropine	0.1-0.2mg/kg SC or IM	50 micrograms/kg SC, IM	10mg/kg every 20 mins  SC (for poisoning) 0.1-0.3mg/kg SC (for respiratory stimulation)		Used in the treatment of organophosphate poisoning . However, care is needed as high doses may cause cardiovascular abnormalities in guinea pigs.
Bromcyclen powder				Dusting	Lice
Buprenorphine		50 micrograms/kg SC			Analgesia
Butorphanol		2mg/kg SC			Analgesia
Carbaryl 5% powder	Light dust once/week				Insecticide. Low doses may inhibit breeding.
Cefalexin Listed in publication but HIGH RISK		15mg/kg twice daily IM			Antibiotic - a cephalosporin. Avoid in patients with renal disease
Cephaloridine Listed in publication but HIGH RISK				25mg/kg/day IM	Antibiotic
Chloramphenicol palmitate	50mg/kg twice daily orally	50mg/kg 3x daily orally	50mg/kg/day for up to 7 days orally		Antibiotic.
Chloramphenicol succinate	30-50mg/kg twice daily SC or IM	20mg/kg twice daily SC	30mg/kg/day for up to 7 days IM	20mg/kg IM	Antibiotic.
Chlorpromazine	25mg/kg SC		3-5mg/kg IV 3-35mg/kg IM		Tranquilliser, anti-emetic. May cause myositis.
Cimetidine	5-10mg/kg 2-4x daily				Inhibits gastric secretion
Dexamethasone	0.1-0.6mg/kg IM	400micrograms//kg SC			Anti-inflammatory
Diazepam	2.5mg/kg IP	2.5mg/kg IM, IP		1-2mg/kg IM	Sedative and pre-anaesthetic agent (used with ketamine)
Dichlorvos			500mg/kg food for 24 hours		Antiparasitic
Dichlorvos strip	Hang in room for 24hrs once a week for 6 weeks		Leave in cage for 48 hours repeat at 7 day intervals		Antiparasitic - hung as strips in the environment to kill arthropod parasites
Diovol plus	0.5-1cc orally				Antacid, anti-flatulant. Decreases gas production in gastrointestinal disorders. Do not use in guinea pigs with renal disease or alkalosis. Do not use with tetracyclines or iron compounds.
Doxapram	5mg/kg IV	5-10mg/kg IV			Respiratory stimulant
Doxycycline Listed in publication BUT HIGH RISK	2.5mg/kg twice daily orally				Long-acting tetracycline which is efficient against anaerobes and intracellular bacteria. It is safer in animals with renal problems as it is excreted via the intestine..
Enrofloxacin	2.5mg/kg twice daily orally	50-100mg/L drinking water 5mg/kg twice daily orally or SC			Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
Fenbendazole	20mg/kg/day orally for 5 doses				Anthelminthic.
Fentanyl citrate /fluanisone		0.5ml/kg IM		1ml/kg IM (sedation)	Neuroleptanalgesia
Fentanyl citrate /fluanisone/diazepam		1ml/kg IM and 2.5mg/kg IP		1ml/kg IM and 2.5mg/kg IP	Neuroleptanalgesia
Fentanyl citrate /fluanisone/midazolam		8ml2/kg  IP		1ml/kg IM and 1mg/kg	Neuroleptanalgesia
Frusemide	5-10mg/kg twice daily				Diuretic
Gentamicin	5mg/kg/day SC or IM	5-8mg/kg/day SC			Aminoglycoside antibiotic especially effective against gram-negative organisms. May induce acute renal failure.
Griseofulvin	25mg/kg/day orally for 28 days	25mg/kg/day orally for 14 days 800 micrograms/kg feed	75mg/kg/day for 2 weeks orally	25mg/kg orally 0.8mg/kg feed for 4-6 weeks	Dermatophytosis. Use with caution as it is derived from penicillium cultures
Halothane				Can be used but overdosage a problem	General anaesthesia
Innovar-Vet 10% solution and Xylazine (droperidol and fentanyl citrate)	0.2-0.4ml/kg IM and 20mg/kg				Sedative and analgesic.  Used with xylazine for anaesthesia.
Isofluorane	As required				Inhalant anaesthetic of choice for guinea pigs.
Ivermectin	200-400 micrograms/kg orally.  Two doses 8-10 days apart	200-500 micrograms/kg SC 500 micrograms orally	200-400 micrograms/kg SC, IM		Antiparasiticide.
Ketamine	44mg/kg IP	100mg/kg IM, IP	25-40mg/kg IM	100mg/kg IM (sedation)	Dissociative anaesthetic. Irritant by IM route. Must be diluted and injected with care to avoid the sciatic nerve.Not good analgesia.
Ketamine and Diazepam	35mg/kg and 10mg/kg IP				Anaesthesia
Ketamine and Medetomidine		40mg/kg and 500micrograms /kg IP			Anaesthesia
Ketamine and Xylazine	44mg/kg and 5mg/kg IP	40mg/kg and 5mg/kg IM			Anaesthesia
Lime sulphur 2.5% solution	Apply topically once a week for 4-6 weeks				Insecticide.
Lindane 0.03% solution	Dip once a week for 3 treatments				Chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide used to treat ectoparasites
Malathion 2% solution	Dip every 10 days for 2 treatments				Organophosphate insecticide used to treat ectoparasites
Meperidine	10-20mg/kg/4x daily SC or IM				Short-acting narcotic analgesic
Methohexital		30mg/kg IP			Short-acting barbiturate anaesthesia
Methoxyfluorane	As required			Good for use in guinea pigs	Anaesthesia
Metronidazole					Antibiotic and antiprotozoal
Morphine	10mg/kg SC or IM every 4 hours	5mg/kg SC			Analgesia
Nalorphine			2mg/kg  IV		Reversal fentanyl
Naloxone	0.01-0.1mg/kg IP or IV	0.01-0.1mg/kg IM, IP, IV			Reversal of narcotic toxicity
Neomycin	30mg/kg/day orally	5mg/kg twice daily orally		5mg/kg orally 30mg/kg SC	Aminoglycoside antibiotic.
Oxytocin	1 IU per guinea pig SC or IM	1-3 units/kg IM	0.2-0.3 units/kg SC, IM		Induction of parturition and milk letdown
Pentobarbital	15-30mg/kg IP	26mg/kg IV	35-45mg/kg IV, IP	25mg/kg IP	Sedation and general anaesthesia.
Pethidine		10mg/kg SC, IM			Analgesia
Piperazine adipate	4-7mg/ml drinking water  for 3-10 days				Anthelminthic
Piperazine citrate	10mg/ml drinking water for 7 days, then of 7 days , then repeat	5g/L drinking water for 7 days	3mg/ml drinking water	200mg/kg orally	Anthelminthic. Used to treat ascarids and some nodular worms and pin worms.
Praziquantel	5-10mg/kg orally, SC or IM . Repeat dose in 10 days.				Anthelminthic . Used to treat cestodes
Prednisone	0.5-2mg/kg orally				Anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid. Use with caution to avoid overdosage.
Sulphadimidine		20g/L drinking water			Antibiotic. Coccidiosis.
Sulphamezathine	1-5mg/ml drinking water		1g/L drinking water for 5 days 1mg/ml drinking water for upto 60 days	2% in drinking water for 5 days	Antibiotic. Long term use can cause changes in gut flora and malnutrition - resulting in vitamin (eg vitamin K) deficiency.
Sulphaquinoxaline	1mg/ml drinking water		0.025% in drinking water for 30 days. 0.1% in drinking water for 14 days.		Antibiotic for pasteurellosis and coccidiosis
T-61	0.3ml/kg IV				Euthanasia
Tetracycline Listed in publication BUT HIGH RISK	10-20mg/kg orally, 3x daily		0.3-2mg/ml drinking water 5-50mg/kg orally, IM		Antibiotic. For tyzzers disease, pasteurellosis, mycoplasmosis
Thiabendazole	100mg/kg/day orally for 5 days		100-200mg/kg 0.1% in food - orally		Anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and fungicidal drug.
Thiamylal			25-50mg/kg IV, IP		Ultra-short acting barbiturate anaesthesia
Thiopental	20-55mg/kg IP				Ultra-short acting barbiturate anaesthesia
Trimethoprim and sulphadiazine	30mg/kg/day SC	120mg/kg/day SC		0.5ml/kg SC	Antibiotic.
Trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole	15mg/kg twice daily orally				Antibiotic
Tylosin	10mg/kg twice daily orally , SC or IM		66mg/L drinking water for 21 days orally		Antibiotic. Chronic use can result in bacterial overgrowth in the large intestine.
Vetatix (pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide)	Shampoo weekly for up to 6 weeks				Insecticide (pyrethrin-based)
Vitamin C	10-30mg/kg orally, IM			100mg/day orally
Vitamin K	1-10mg/kg		1-10mg/kg		Vitamin K deficiency (eg following oral antibiotic use and malabsorption) or poisoning with vitamin K antagonists eg warfarin.
Xenodyne	Swab as required				Antibacterial iodine solution
Xylazine			3-5mg/kg IM	3mg/kg IV	Sedative, analgesia

Updated October 2013