Pocket Pet · Cavia porcellus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.20 kg
Doxycycline is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q12h in guinea pigs, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed. Doxycycline is used in guinea pigs for Chlamydia caviae (conjunctivitis), Respiratory infections, Bordetella bronchiseptica. Routes documented in guinea pigs: PO. A typical adult guinea pig weighs 0.70–1.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Doxycycline in guinea pigs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Vibramycin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | 14-21 days | Chlamydia caviae (conjunctivitis) | Moderate | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed |
| 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. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.771 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 2.5–5 mg/kg | q12h | 14-21 days | Bordetella bronchiseptica | 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.771 (2026-08-01). |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your guinea pig's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Inhibits protein synthesis by binding to 30S ribosomal subunit, preventing aminoacyl-tRNA attachment.
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 guinea pigs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Doxycycline dose ranges in guinea pigs, with cited source references: PO 5–10 mg/kg q12h; PO 2.5–5 mg/kg q12h; PO 2.5–5 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Doxycycline in guinea pigs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Doxycycline in guinea pigs include: 14-21 days; 10-14 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Doxycycline is indicated in guinea pigs for: Chlamydia caviae (conjunctivitis), Respiratory infections, Bordetella bronchiseptica.
These are general warnings for Doxycycline across species; consult the guinea pig 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).
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 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.