Sedation in Guinea Pigs

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

11 cited drugs treat Sedation in guinea pigs: Acepromazine, Alfaxalone, Atropine, Butorphanol, Dexmedetomidine, Diazepam, Ketamine, Ketamine Injectable, Medetomidine, Midazolam, Xylazine.

Pharmacologic sedation for diagnostic procedures, minor surgical interventions, and pre-anaesthetic premedi-cation. α2 agonists (dexmedetomidine, medetomidine), phenothiazines (acepromazine), and benzodiazepines (midazolam) form the backbone of veterinary protocols.

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

Acepromazine(PromAce, Atravet)

Sedative

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	0.5–5 mg/kg	not stated in source	Sedation / premedication	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.782 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic 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

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

Alfaxalone(Alfaxan)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	5 mg/kg	once (sedation)	Single dose	Sedation, short procedures	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed \| Corroborated 2026-07-30: d'Ovidio D et al. Vet Anaesth Analg 2018;45(2):183-189. doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2017.08.004 PMID:29398530 (abstract) — 30 pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), 5 mg/kg IM; same dose in FDA Index MIF 900-031 (Alfaxan Multidose IDX). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929
IM	5 mg/kg	once; may require a higher dose	Single dose	Sedation for minor noninvasive procedures / diagnostic imaging (NOT anesthetic induction)	Moderate	Morrissey JM, Carpenter JW / Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, 2021 - TABLE 37.1 'Injectable PREANESTHETIC, SEDATIVE, AND TRANQUILIZER Drugs (mg/kg) Used in Small Mammals', Guinea Pig column: 'Alfaxalone 5 IM28'. The facing TABLE 37.2 'Injectable ANESTHETIC Drugs and Drug Combinations' prints a DASH for guinea-pig alfaxalone. Prose, printed p.539: 'In guinea pigs, alfaxalone at 5 mg/kg IM induced sedation within 2.7 +/- 0.6 minutes, suitable for diagnostic imaging and other minor noninvasive procedures.' CARPENTER TABLE 9.3 DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS ROW - its only guinea-pig alfaxalone row is 40 mg/kg IM, IP.

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

Atropine

Emergency

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.05–0.1 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Pre-anesthetic	Moderate	Adamcak A, Otten B. Rodent therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:221-237. / 83. Jepson L. Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, WB Saunders, New York, NY; 2009. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.794 (2026-08-01). — 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

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

Butorphanol(Torbugesic, Torbutrol)

Analgesic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM	0.2–2 mg/kg	q2-4h	As needed	Pre-anesthetic sedation	Moderate	Allweiler SI. How to improve anesthesia and analgesia in small mammals. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2016;19:361-377. / 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. doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2016.01.012 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.790 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.4 (Analgesic Agents Used in Rodents). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350

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

Dexmedetomidine(Dexdomitor, Sileo)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.01–0.05 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Sedation, pre-anesthetic	Moderate	Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. (Carpenter ref for the guinea-pig ketamine/dexmedetomidine row, refs p.830) — Verified against Quesenberry et al., Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents, 4th Ed, p.551 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.20 (Electrocardiographic Measurements in Rodents.71,167). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Carpenter's 6th ed, Table 4.32 (Known and Potential Reptile Toxins.126); the page cited previously does not carry it. — 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; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350

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

Diazepam(Valium)

Sedative

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.5–5 mg/kg	not stated in source	Sedation	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.784 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic 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

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

Ketamine(Ketaset, Vetalar)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	20–40 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Sedation, anesthesia	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. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.784 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350
IV	5–40 mg/kg	once (single sedation dose)	Single dose	Light sedation (heavy sedation at higher doses) - not sole-agent anesthetic induction	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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

Ketamine Injectable(Ketaset, VetaKet)

Neurological

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	20–40 mg/kg	IM once	Single dose	Sedation (light to heavy, dose-dependent) - NOT a sole anaesthetic, source states avoid use alone due to high doses needed	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. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.784 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350

Full Ketamine Injectable dosing in Guinea Pigs →Calculate for this guinea pig →

Medetomidine

Uncategorized

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.15 mg/kg	not stated in source	Sedation	Moderate	Bellini L, Banzato T, Contiero B, et al. Evaluation of three medetomidine-based protocols for chemical restraint and sedation for non-painful procedures in companion rats (Rattus norvegicus). Vet J. 2014;200:456-458. / Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.786 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic 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

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

Midazolam(Versed)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.5–2 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Pre-anesthetic sedation	Moderate	Wenger S. Anesthesia and analgesia in rabbits and rodents. J Exot Pet Med. 2012;21:7-16. doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2011.11.010 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.787 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic 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

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

Xylazine(Rompun, AnaSed)

Sedative

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM, IP	5–10 mg/kg	not stated (single dose)	Sedation	Weak	Mitchell MA, Tully Jr.T.N, eds. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice, Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2009. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.788 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic 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

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

All drugs cited for Sedation →All drugs for Guinea Pigs →

Other conditions in Guinea Pigs

Pain Management Bacterial Infections General Anesthesia Endoparasites Respiratory Infections Coccidiosis Conjunctivitis Ectoparasites

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.