Ectoparasites in Guinea Pigs
Pocket Pet · Cavia porcellus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.20 kg
3 cited drugs treat Ectoparasites in guinea pigs: Doramectin, Ivermectin, Nitenpyram.
External parasites including fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Isoxazolines, macrocyclic lactones, and pyrethroids each carry species-specific cautions (e.g. permethrin lethal in cats).
The overview above describes Ectoparasites across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to guinea pigs — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Doramectin(Dectomax)
Antiparasitic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q7-14d x 2-3 treatments | Ectoparasites / endoparasites | Weak | Beck W, Pantchev N. Praktische Parasitologie bei Heimtieren, Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft MBH & Co, Hannover, Germany; 2006. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.776 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic 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. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Ivermectin(Ivomec, Heartgard)
Antiparasitic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q7-14d | 3-4 treatments | Ectoparasites | Moderate | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.777 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic 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. — 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 |
| SC | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q7-14d | 3-4 treatments | Mange mites (Trixacarus caviae) | Strong | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015.; Eshar D, Bdolah-Abram T. Comparison of efficacy, safety, and convenience of selamectin versus ivermectin for treatment of Trixacarus caviae mange in pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2012;241:1056-1058. doi:10.2460/javma.241.8.1056 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.777 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic 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. — 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 |
| TOPICAL | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q7d | 3-4 treatments | Ectoparasites (alternative to injection) | Moderate | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 9.2 (corpus PDF pp.776-779); located 2026-08-06 by chapter-governed table: this table is in the chapter covering this species and names this drug. NOTE: the served figure was matched against the table as a whole, not against this drug's own row, so confirm the number on the page before relying on it. The held copy has no printed page numbers, so the numbered table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Nitenpyram(Capstar)
Antiparasitic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 1 mg/kg | once | Fleas, flystrike | Moderate | 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.778 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic 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. — 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 |
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.