Anaphylaxis in Guinea Pigs
Pocket Pet · Cavia porcellus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.20 kg
2 cited drugs treat Anaphylaxis in guinea pigs: Diphenhydramine, Ephedrine.
Acute systemic IgE-mediated hypersensitivity. Adrenaline (epinephrine) is the universal first-line; antihistamines and corticosteroids play adjunct roles. Prepare for biphasic reactions over 24 hours.
The overview above describes Anaphylaxis across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to guinea pigs — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Diphenhydramine(Benadryl)
Antihistamine| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 1–5 mg/kg | prn | Antihistamine; anaphylaxis | Moderate | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. / Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.796 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.6 (Emergency Drugs Used in Rodents). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350 |
Ephedrine
Respiratory| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, IV | 1 mg/kg | prn | Antihistamine; anaphylaxis / stimulant | Weak | Laird KL, Swindle MM, Flecknell PA. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine, Pergamon, New York, NY; 1996. / Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.800 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — VOLUME CORRECTED 2026-08-07: this citation named BSAVA Part B (Exotic Pets), which does not contain Ephedrine. BSAVA ships as two separate volumes and the drug is in BSAVA Part A (Canine & Feline); the reference is to that volume. Verified by searching the held copy of each. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Other conditions in Guinea Pigs
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.