Bacterial Infections in Guinea Pigs

Pocket Pet · Cavia porcellus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.20 kg

6 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in guinea pigs: Ceftiofur, Chloramphenicol, Enrofloxacin, Florfenicol, Marbofloxacin, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole.

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 guinea pigs — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Ceftiofur(Excenel, Excede, Naxcel)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC	5–10 mg/kg	q12-24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Ceftiofur dosing in Guinea Pigs →Calculate for this guinea pig →

Chloramphenicol

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	30–50 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Chloramphenicol dosing in Guinea Pigs →Calculate for this guinea pig →

Enrofloxacin(Baytril)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	5–10 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
PO	5–10 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	5–10 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Enrofloxacin dosing in Guinea Pigs →Calculate for this guinea pig →

Florfenicol(Nuflor, Aquaflor)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC	20–30 mg/kg	q12-24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Weak	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Florfenicol dosing in Guinea Pigs →Calculate for this guinea pig →

Marbofloxacin(Zeniquin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	2–5 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Marbofloxacin dosing in Guinea Pigs →Calculate for this guinea pig →

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole(Bactrim, TMS)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	15–30 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	15–30 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections when oral not feasible	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole dosing in Guinea Pigs →Calculate for this guinea pig →

All drugs cited for Bacterial Infections →All drugs for Guinea Pigs →

Other conditions in Guinea Pigs

Respiratory Infections Sedation General Anesthesia Pain Management Coccidiosis Conjunctivitis Endoparasites GI Ulceration

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.