Giardiasis in Degus
Pocket Pet · Octodon degus · typical adult weight 0.17–0.30 kg
2 cited drugs treat Giardiasis in degus: Dimetridazole, Fenbendazole.
Intestinal infection with Giardia (a flagellate protozoan). Common in young or recently rehomed animals and across exotic species kept in groups; presents as soft to watery diarrhoea, often intermittent. Treatment options vary by species — some species tolerate metronidazole poorly.
The overview above describes Giardiasis across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to degus — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Dimetridazole
Antiparasitic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO (drinking water) | 1 g/L drinking water | Continuous in drinking water | × 40 days. | Giardia | Moderate | Beck W, Pantchev N. Praktische Parasitologie bei Heimtieren, Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft MBH & Co, Hannover, Germany; 2006. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.776Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO (drinking water) | 500 mg/L drinking water | Continuous in drinking water | Duration not stated in the source for this concentration (the 1 g/L regimen is given for 40 days). | Trichomonas, Giardia | Moderate | Beck W, Pantchev N. Praktische Parasitologie bei Heimtieren, Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft MBH & Co, Hannover, Germany; 2006. | Sassenburg L. Degu. In: Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P, eds. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.776Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Fenbendazole(Panacur)
Antiparasitic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 20 mg/kg | PO q24h x 5 days | Nematodes - the source prints this row as 20-50 mg/kg with the higher end reserved for giardiasis only. 20 mg/kg is the preferred lower end and is NOT the giardiasis dose. | Weak | 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. — 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).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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.