Pocket Pet · Meriones unguiculatus · typical adult weight 0.07–0.13 kg
Phenobarbital is dosed at 5–25 mg/kg IV, IP q12-24h 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.802 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Phenobarbital is used in gerbils for Seizures. Routes documented in gerbils: IV, IP. A typical adult gerbil weighs 0.07–0.13 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Phenobarbital in gerbils, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Luminal, Solfoton
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV, IP | 5–25 mg/kg | q12-24h | Seizures | 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.802 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Enhances GABA-A receptor activity by prolonging chloride channel opening. Also blocks AMPA/glutamate receptors. Raises seizure threshold.
First-line anticonvulsant for dogs. Hepatotoxicity with chronic use (monitor liver enzymes and serum levels). PU/PD, polyphagia, sedation (often transient). Hepatic enzyme inducer (many drug interactions). DEA controlled.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for gerbils may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Phenobarbital dose range in gerbils, with cited source references: IV, IP 5–25 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Phenobarbital in gerbils: IV, IP.
Phenobarbital is indicated in gerbils for: Seizures.
These are general warnings for Phenobarbital across species; consult the gerbil dosing table above for species-specific guidance. First-line anticonvulsant for dogs. Hepatotoxicity with chronic use (monitor liver enzymes and serum levels). PU/PD, polyphagia, sedation (often transient). Hepatic enzyme inducer (many drug interactions). DEA controlled.
Why a species-specific page? Phenobarbital 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.