Pocket Pet · Meriones unguiculatus · typical adult weight 0.07–0.13 kg
Oxytetracycline is dosed at 20–25 mg/kg IM q8-12h in gerbils, per Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.773 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Oxytetracycline is used in gerbils for Bacterial infection (row states no indication). Routes documented in gerbils: IM, PO. A typical adult gerbil weighs 0.07–0.13 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Oxytetracycline in gerbils, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Terramycin, Liquamycin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 20–25 mg/kg | q8-12h | Bacterial infection (row states no indication) | Moderate | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.773 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
| PO | 10 mg/kg | q8h | Bacterial infection (row states no indication) | Moderate | Burgmann P, Percy DH. Antimicrobial drug use in rodents and rabbits. In: Prescott JF, Baggot JD, eds. Antimicrobial Therapy in Veterinary Medicine, 2nd ed., Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA; 1993:524-541. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.773 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) PMID: 1237959 |
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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.
Inhibits protein synthesis by binding 30S ribosomal subunit. Broad-spectrum bacteriostatic agent.
Tissue irritation with IM injection. Avoid in young animals (tooth/bone discoloration). Chelation with divalent cations reduces absorption. Photosensitivity.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for gerbils may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Oxytetracycline dose ranges in gerbils, with cited source references: IM 20–25 mg/kg q8-12h; PO 10 mg/kg q8h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Oxytetracycline in gerbils: IM, PO.
Oxytetracycline is indicated in gerbils for: Bacterial infection (row states no indication).
These are general warnings for Oxytetracycline across species; consult the gerbil dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Tissue irritation with IM injection. Avoid in young animals (tooth/bone discoloration). Chelation with divalent cations reduces absorption. Photosensitivity.
Why a species-specific page? Oxytetracycline 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.