Doxycycline for Gerbils
Pocket Pet · Meriones unguiculatus · typical adult weight 0.07–0.13 kg
Doxycycline is dosed at 5 mg/kg PO every 12 hours for 7–10 days in gerbils, per MSD (Merck) Veterinary Manual. Gerbils. In: Exotic and Laboratory Animals: Rodents. Merck & Co., Inc. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/gerbils (accessed 2026-07-05). URL: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/gerbils. Doxycycline is used in gerbils for Tyzzer disease. Routes documented in gerbils: PO. A typical adult gerbil weighs 0.07–0.13 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Doxycycline in gerbils, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Vibramycin
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5 mg/kg | every 12 hours for 7–10 days | Tyzzer disease | Weak | MSD (Merck) Veterinary Manual. Gerbils. In: Exotic and Laboratory Animals: Rodents. Merck & Co., Inc. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/gerbils (accessed 2026-07-05). URL: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/gerbils |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your gerbil's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Mechanism of action
Inhibits protein synthesis by binding to 30S ribosomal subunit, preventing aminoacyl-tRNA attachment.
Side effects & warnings
Can cause esophageal strictures in cats if not followed by water. Photosensitivity. Avoid in pregnant animals (tooth discoloration in fetus).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for gerbils may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dose of Doxycycline for Gerbils?
Doxycycline dose range in gerbils, with cited source references: PO 5 mg/kg every 12 hours for 7–10 days.
How is Doxycycline administered in Gerbils?
Documented routes for Doxycycline in gerbils: PO.
What conditions does Doxycycline treat in Gerbils?
Doxycycline is indicated in gerbils for: Tyzzer disease.
What are the side effects of Doxycycline in Gerbils?
These are general warnings for Doxycycline across species; consult the gerbil dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Can cause esophageal strictures in cats if not followed by water. Photosensitivity. Avoid in pregnant animals (tooth discoloration in fetus).
Other Antibiotic drugs with gerbil dosing
Doxycycline dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Doxycycline pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in gerbils — 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.