Penicillin G procaine for African Pygmy Hedgehogs

Pocket Pet · Atelerix albiventris · typical adult weight 0.30–0.60 kg

Contraindicated in Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu

Rabbit: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsOral amoxicillin (and other oral beta-lactams) selectively destroy gram-positive hindgut flora in rabbits, allowing Clostridium spiroforme overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never administer oral beta-lactams to rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route, but is not established as safe in rabbits.
Guinea Pig: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsOral amoxicillin reliably causes Clostridium difficile-mediated fatal enterotoxemia in guinea pigs. Same mechanism as in rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route; parenteral ceftiofur specifically has been given to guinea pigs and chinchillas without adverse effect.
Chinchilla: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasChinchillas are hindgut fermenters with the same flora dependence as rabbits and guinea pigs. Oral penicillins and oral cephalosporins trigger Clostridium overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never give oral beta-lactams; parenteral routes and trimethoprim-sulfa, fluoroquinolones, or chloramphenicol are the safer choices.
Hamster: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal enterocolitis in hamsters

Degu: Oral beta-lactams risk fatal dysbiosis in degusDegus are caviomorph hindgut fermenters closely related to chinchillas and guinea pigs. Degu-specific data is limited, so this warning is extrapolated from those related hystricomorphs — but the shared physiology makes oral beta-lactam enterotoxemia the expected outcome. Treat as contraindicated; use the safer alternatives.

Penicillin G procaine is dosed at 40000 IU/kg SC, IM q24h in african pygmy hedgehogs, per 29. Isenbügel E, Baumgartner R. Diseases of the hedgehog. In: Fowler M, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current Therapy, 3rd ed., WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1993:294-302. | 52. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry Q, Orcutt C, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.734 — Carpenter 6th ed, Table 8.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Hedgehogs), row "Penicillin G procaine 40,000 IU/kg SC, IM q24h29,52". Unit on the page is IU/kg, not mg/kg. Penicillin G procaine is used in african pygmy hedgehogs for Bacterial infection. Routes documented in african pygmy hedgehogs: SC, IM. A typical adult african pygmy hedgehog weighs 0.30–0.60 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Penicillin G procaine in african pygmy hedgehogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM	40000 IU/kg	q24h	Bacterial infection	Weak	29. Isenbügel E, Baumgartner R. Diseases of the hedgehog. In: Fowler M, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current Therapy, 3rd ed., WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1993:294-302. \| 52. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry Q, Orcutt C, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.734 — Carpenter 6th ed, Table 8.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Hedgehogs), row "Penicillin G procaine 40,000 IU/kg SC, IM q24h29,52". Unit on the page is IU/kg, not mg/kg.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

What each reference text prints

Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.

Printed doses in iu/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (iu/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
40000	SC	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 8.1	40,000 IU/kg SC, IM q24h,52

Printed doses in mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
40	SC	BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.229	40 mg/kg s.c., i.m. q24h; Chinchillas, Guinea pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, Degus: Do not use

Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.

Calculate the dose for your african pygmy hedgehog

3 a day (1 exotic) · no account needed

Drug

Penicillin G procaine

Weight

Typical range: 300–600 g

Route

Concentration (optional, mg/ml)

If provided, volume will be calculated alongside dose.

Reference only. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Penicillin G procaine for African Pygmy Hedgehogs?

Penicillin G procaine dose range in african pygmy hedgehogs, with cited source references: SC, IM 40000 IU/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Penicillin G procaine administered in African Pygmy Hedgehogs?

Documented routes for Penicillin G procaine in african pygmy hedgehogs: SC, IM.

What conditions does Penicillin G procaine treat in African Pygmy Hedgehogs?

Penicillin G procaine is indicated in african pygmy hedgehogs for: Bacterial infection.

Why a species-specific page? Penicillin G procaine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in african pygmy hedgehogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.