Amoxicillin-Clavulanate for Pet Rats

Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate is dosed at 10–20 mg/kg PO q12h in pet rats, per Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: [Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery] — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.770 (2026-08-01).. Amoxicillin-Clavulanate is used in pet rats for Bite wound / abscess (non-respiratory). Routes documented in pet rats: PO. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Amoxicillin-Clavulanate in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Clavamox, Augmentin

Contraindicated in Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu

Rabbit: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsOral amoxicillin (and other oral beta-lactams) selectively destroy gram-positive hindgut flora in rabbits, allowing Clostridium spiroforme overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never administer oral beta-lactams to rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route, but is not established as safe in rabbits.
Guinea Pig: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsOral amoxicillin reliably causes Clostridium difficile-mediated fatal enterotoxemia in guinea pigs. Same mechanism as in rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route; parenteral ceftiofur specifically has been given to guinea pigs and chinchillas without adverse effect.

Chinchilla: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasChinchillas are hindgut fermenters with the same flora dependence as rabbits and guinea pigs. Oral penicillins and oral cephalosporins trigger Clostridium overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never give oral beta-lactams; parenteral routes and trimethoprim-sulfa, fluoroquinolones, or chloramphenicol are the safer choices.

Hamster: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal enterocolitis in hamstersHamsters are exquisitely susceptible to antibiotic-associated Clostridium difficile enterocolitis — the hamster is the classic laboratory model for it. Oral penicillins and cephalosporins are reliably fatal. Never administer oral beta-lactams.

Degu: Oral beta-lactams risk fatal dysbiosis in degusDegus are caviomorph hindgut fermenters closely related to chinchillas and guinea pigs. Degu-specific data is limited, so this warning is extrapolated from those related hystricomorphs — but the shared physiology makes oral beta-lactam enterotoxemia the expected outcome. Treat as contraindicated; use the safer alternatives.

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	10–20 mg/kg	q12h	Bite wound / abscess (non-respiratory)	Moderate	Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: [Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery] — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.770 (2026-08-01).

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Mechanism of action

Amoxicillin inhibits cell wall synthesis; clavulanate irreversibly inhibits beta-lactamase, extending spectrum to beta-lactamase-producing organisms.

Side effects & warnings

CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea). Broad-spectrum first-line antibiotic. Give with food.

Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for pet rats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Amoxicillin-Clavulanate for Pet Rats?

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate dose range in pet rats, with cited source references: PO 10–20 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Amoxicillin-Clavulanate administered in Pet Rats?

Documented routes for Amoxicillin-Clavulanate in pet rats: PO.

What conditions does Amoxicillin-Clavulanate treat in Pet Rats?

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate is indicated in pet rats for: Bite wound / abscess (non-respiratory).

What are the side effects of Amoxicillin-Clavulanate in Pet Rats?

These are general warnings for Amoxicillin-Clavulanate across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea). Broad-spectrum first-line antibiotic. Give with food.

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate dosing in other species

African Pygmy Hedgehogs Ferrets Cats Dogs

Why a species-specific page? Amoxicillin-Clavulanate pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in pet rats — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.