Pocket Pet · Cavia porcellus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.20 kg
Cyproheptadine is dosed at 0.5 mg/animal PO q12h in guinea pigs, per 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.799 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents). — SOURCE ROW: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 prints "Cyproheptadine 0.5 mg/kg PO q12h(122) — Guinea pigs, chinchillas/appetite stimulation", but superscript 122 resolves to BSAVA Small Animal Formulary Part B (Exotic Pets), which prints a flat PER-ANIMAL milligram dose - "Ferrets, Chinchillas, Guinea pigs: 0.5 mg p.o. q12h". This rule follows the primary source and stores mg/animal; the apparent conflict is a unit difference introduced by the secondary text, not two different doses. Cyproheptadine is used in guinea pigs for Appetite stimulation. Routes documented in guinea pigs: PO. A typical adult guinea pig weighs 0.70–1.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cyproheptadine in guinea pigs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Periactin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.5 mg/animal | q12h | Appetite stimulation |
| 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.799 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents). — SOURCE ROW: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 prints "Cyproheptadine 0.5 mg/kg PO q12h(122) — Guinea pigs, chinchillas/appetite stimulation", but superscript 122 resolves to BSAVA Small Animal Formulary Part B (Exotic Pets), which prints a flat PER-ANIMAL milligram dose - "Ferrets, Chinchillas, Guinea pigs: 0.5 mg p.o. q12h". This rule follows the primary source and stores mg/animal; the apparent conflict is a unit difference introduced by the secondary text, not two different doses.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 9.7 | 0.5 mg/kg PO q12h |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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Piperidine antihistamine with potent 5-HT2A serotonin receptor antagonism and H1 blockade, providing both antiallergic and antiserotonergic effects. Also acts as bronchodilator.
Appetite stimulation is a prominent effect. Sedation possible. Used for feline asthma as bronchodilator adjunct and serotonin syndrome antidote.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for guinea pigs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Cyproheptadine dose range in guinea pigs, with cited source references: PO 0.5 mg/animal q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Cyproheptadine in guinea pigs: PO.
Cyproheptadine is indicated in guinea pigs for: Appetite stimulation.
These are general warnings for Cyproheptadine across species; consult the guinea pig dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Appetite stimulation is a prominent effect. Sedation possible. Used for feline asthma as bronchodilator adjunct and serotonin syndrome antidote.
Why a species-specific page? Cyproheptadine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in guinea pigs — 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.