Metronidazole for Guinea Pig
Pocket Pet · Cavia porcellus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.20 kg
Metronidazole is used in guinea pig for Giardia, anaerobic infections, Anaerobic infections, Anaerobic infections when oral not feasible. Routes documented in guinea pig: PO, SC. A typical adult guinea pig weighs 0.70–1.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Metronidazole in guinea pig, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Flagyl
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 20–25 mg/kg | q12h | 5-7 days | Giardia, anaerobic infections | Moderate | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed |
| PO | 20 mg/kg | q12h | 5-7 days | Anaerobic infections | Moderate | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed |
| SC | 20 mg/kg | q12h | 5-7 days | Anaerobic infections when oral not feasible | Extrapolated | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Mechanism of action
Disrupts DNA structure in anaerobic organisms via reduction of nitro group, forming cytotoxic intermediates.
Side effects & warnings
Neurotoxicity at high doses or prolonged use (ataxia, seizures). Avoid in pregnant animals. Hepatotoxic at high doses.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for guinea pig may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Other Antibiotic drugs with guinea pig dosing
Metronidazole dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Metronidazole pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in guinea pig — 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.