Bacterial Infections in Guinea Pigs

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

5 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in guinea pigs: Chloramphenicol, Enrofloxacin, Gentamicin, 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.

Chloramphenicol

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	30–50 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. / 130. 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. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

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	Adamcak A, Otten B. Rodent therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:221-237.; 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.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
PO	5–10 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Adamcak A, Otten B. Rodent therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:221-237.; 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.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
SC	5–10 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	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.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

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

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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.772 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

Full Gentamicin 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	Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

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	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.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
SC	15–30 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections when oral not feasible	Moderate	Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. / 130. 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.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

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

Pain Management Sedation Endoparasites Respiratory Infections Coccidiosis Conjunctivitis Ectoparasites Systemic Hypertension

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.