Pocket Pet · Cavia porcellus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.20 kg
Ivermectin is dosed at 0.2–0.5 mg/kg PO q7-14d in guinea pigs, per Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.777 (2026-08-01).. Ivermectin is used in guinea pigs for Ectoparasites, Mange mites (Trixacarus caviae), Ectoparasites (alternative to injection). Routes documented in guinea pigs: PO, SC, TOPICAL. A typical adult guinea pig weighs 0.70–1.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Ivermectin in guinea pigs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ivomec, Heartgard
Contraindicated in Tortoise / Turtle
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| Duration |
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| PO | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q7-14d | 3-4 treatments | Ectoparasites | Moderate | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.777 (2026-08-01). |
| SC | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q7-14d | 3-4 treatments | Mange mites (Trixacarus caviae) | Strong | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015.; Eshar D, Bdolah-Abram T. Comparison of efficacy, safety, and convenience of selamectin versus ivermectin for treatment of Trixacarus caviae mange in pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2012;241:1056-1058. doi:10.2460/javma.241.8.1056 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.777 (2026-08-01). |
| TOPICAL | 0.2–0.5 mg/kg | q7d | 3-4 treatments | Ectoparasites (alternative to injection) | Moderate |
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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.
Potentiates glutamate-gated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of parasites.
TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.
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.
Ivermectin dose ranges in guinea pigs, with cited source references: PO 0.2–0.5 mg/kg q7-14d; SC 0.2–0.5 mg/kg q7-14d; TOPICAL 0.2–0.5 mg/kg q7d. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ivermectin in guinea pigs: PO, SC, TOPICAL.
Cited course lengths for Ivermectin in guinea pigs include: 3-4 treatments. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ivermectin is indicated in guinea pigs for: Ectoparasites, Mange mites (Trixacarus caviae), Ectoparasites (alternative to injection).
These are general warnings for Ivermectin across species; consult the guinea pig dosing table above for species-specific guidance. TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.
Why a species-specific page? Ivermectin 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.