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Systemic Hypertension in Guinea Pigs

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

3 cited drugs treat Systemic Hypertension in guinea pigs: Atenolol Liquid Compounded, Benazepril, Diltiazem.

Persistently elevated systemic blood pressure, most often secondary to renal disease, hyperthyroidism, or hyperadrenocorticism. Amlodipine remains first-line in cats; ACE inhibitors and telmisartan figure heavily in canine and protein-losing nephropathy protocols.

The overview above describes Systemic Hypertension across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to guinea pigs — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Atenolol Liquid Compounded(Atenolol Oral Suspension Vet)

Miscellaneous
RouteDoseFrequencyDurationIndicationEvidenceSource
PO0.2–2 mg/kgq24hLong-term; monitor heart rateHypertension, tachyarrhythmiasAnecdotalCarpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed., Table 9.5 Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rodents, p.794. Corroborated by BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed. Part B p.26: 'Rats: 0.2-2 mg/kg q24h p.o.' — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.5 (Cardiovascular 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

Benazepril(Fortekor, Lotensin)

Cardiovascular
RouteDoseFrequencyIndicationEvidenceSource
PO0.05–0.1 mg/kgq24hHeart failure, hypertension, chronic renal failure (ACE inhibitor)ModerateJepson L. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, WB Saunders, New York, NY; 2009. / 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.794 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.5 (Cardiovascular 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

Diltiazem(Cardizem, Dilacor)

Cardiovascular
RouteDoseFrequencyIndicationEvidenceSource
PO0.5–1 mg/kgq12-24hHypertension and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (calcium channel blocker)ModerateFehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. / Jepson L. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, WB Saunders, New York, NY; 2009. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.794 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.5 (Cardiovascular 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

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.