Respiratory Infections in Guinea Pigs
Pocket Pet · Cavia porcellus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.20 kg
4 cited drugs treat Respiratory Infections in guinea pigs: Azithromycin, Doxycycline, Enrofloxacin, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole.
Upper- and lower-respiratory bacterial, mycoplasmal, and fungal infection. Includes bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) in cattle, pneumonia in companion species, and air sacculitis in birds. Antimicrobial choice often requires species-specific evidence.
The overview above describes Respiratory Infections across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to guinea pigs — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Azithromycin(Zithromax)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 15–30 mg/kg | q24h | 7-14 days | Respiratory infections | Weak | 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. |
Doxycycline(Vibramycin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 2.5–5 mg/kg | q12h | 10-14 days | Respiratory 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. — 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. |
| PO | 2.5–5 mg/kg | q12h | 14-21 days | Pneumonia (may be combined with enrofloxacin) | 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. — 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. |
Enrofloxacin(Baytril)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | 10-14 days | Respiratory infections (Bordetella, Streptococcus) | Moderate | 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. |
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole(Bactrim, TMS)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 15–30 mg/kg | q12h | 10-14 days | Respiratory infections | 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. |
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.