Bacterial Infections in Gerbils
Pocket Pet · Meriones unguiculatus · typical adult weight 0.07–0.13 kg
6 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in gerbils: Cephalexin, Gentamicin, Marbofloxacin, Oxytetracycline, Trimethoprim-sulfonamide, Tylosin.
General coverage of susceptible bacterial pathogens. Drug selection turns on the suspected organism's gram-stain, the patient's species (oral β-lactams unsafe in rabbits/guinea pigs), and the infection site (penetration to bone, CSF, or biliary tree).
The overview above describes Bacterial Infections across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to gerbils — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Cephalexin(Keflex)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 25 mg/kg | q24h | Bacterial infection (row states no indication) | Weak | 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.771 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Gentamicin(Gentocin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 2–5 mg/kg | q24h | Bacterial infection (row states no indication) | Weak | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.772 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Marbofloxacin(Zeniquin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, SC, IM | 2–5 mg/kg | q24h | Bacterial infection (row states no indication) | Weak | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.772 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Oxytetracycline(Terramycin, Liquamycin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 20–25 mg/kg | q8-12h | Bacterial infection (row states no indication) | Moderate | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.773 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
| PO | 10 mg/kg | q8h | Bacterial infection (row states no indication) | Moderate | Burgmann P, Percy DH. Antimicrobial drug use in rodents and rabbits. In: Prescott JF, Baggot JD, eds. Antimicrobial Therapy in Veterinary Medicine, 2nd ed., Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA; 1993:524-541. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.773 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) PMID: 1237959 |
Trimethoprim-sulfonamide
Uncategorized| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, SC | 50–100 mg/kg | q24h | Bacterial infection (row states no indication) | Moderate | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.774 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Tylosin(Tylan)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, SC | 2–10 mg/kg | q12h | Bacterial infection (row states no indication) | Moderate | 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.774 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Other conditions in Gerbils
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.