Praziquantel for Gerbils
Pocket Pet · Meriones unguiculatus · typical adult weight 0.07–0.13 kg
Praziquantel is dosed at 30 mg/kg IM once, repeated after 10 days in gerbils, per MSD (Merck) Veterinary Manual. Gerbils. In: Exotic and Laboratory Animals: Rodents. Merck & Co., Inc. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/gerbils (accessed 2026-07-05). URL: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/gerbils. Praziquantel is used in gerbils for Parasitic infestations — tapeworms. Routes documented in gerbils: IM. A typical adult gerbil weighs 0.07–0.13 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Praziquantel in gerbils, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Droncit
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 30 mg/kg | once, repeated after 10 days | Parasitic infestations — tapeworms | Weak | MSD (Merck) Veterinary Manual. Gerbils. In: Exotic and Laboratory Animals: Rodents. Merck & Co., Inc. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/gerbils (accessed 2026-07-05). URL: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/gerbils |
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.
Mechanism of action
Increases cell membrane permeability to calcium in susceptible helminths, causing spastic paralysis, detachment, and disintegration.
Side effects & warnings
May cause transient GI upset, drooling (especially in cats). Safe in pregnant animals. Effective primarily against cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for gerbils may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dose of Praziquantel for Gerbils?
Praziquantel dose range in gerbils, with cited source references: IM 30 mg/kg once, repeated after 10 days.
How is Praziquantel administered in Gerbils?
Documented routes for Praziquantel in gerbils: IM.
What conditions does Praziquantel treat in Gerbils?
Praziquantel is indicated in gerbils for: Parasitic infestations — tapeworms.
What are the side effects of Praziquantel in Gerbils?
These are general warnings for Praziquantel across species; consult the gerbil dosing table above for species-specific guidance. May cause transient GI upset, drooling (especially in cats). Safe in pregnant animals. Effective primarily against cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes).
Other Antiparasitic drugs with gerbil dosing
Praziquantel dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Praziquantel 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.