Pocket Pet · Cavia porcellus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.20 kg
Thyrotropin is dosed at 100 mcg/guinea pig (total dose, NOT mcg/kg) IM once (single diagnostic dose) in guinea pigs, per Mayer J, Wagner R, Mitchell MA, et al. Use of recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone for evaluation of thyroid function in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;242:346-349. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.803. Thyrotropin is used in guinea pigs for Thyroid function testing (TSH stimulation test). Routes documented in guinea pigs: IM. A typical adult guinea pig weighs 0.70–1.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Thyrotropin in guinea pigs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Thyrogen
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 100 mcg/guinea pig (total dose, NOT mcg/kg) | once (single diagnostic dose) | Single injection. In the cited primary study, plasma was sampled before injection and again at 3 and 4 hr; thyroxine in a euthyroid guinea pig should at least double 3-4 hr after rhTSH. | Thyroid function testing (TSH stimulation test) | Moderate |
| Mayer J, Wagner R, Mitchell MA, et al. Use of recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone for evaluation of thyroid function in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;242:346-349. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.803Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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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.
Recombinant human TSH. Stimulates thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4. Used for TSH stimulation testing to diagnose hypothyroidism.
Diagnostic agent, not therapeutic. Very expensive. TSH stimulation test considered gold standard but rarely performed due to cost. Refrigerate.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for guinea pigs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Thyrotropin dose range in guinea pigs, with cited source references: IM 100 mcg/guinea pig (total dose, NOT mcg/kg) once (single diagnostic dose). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Thyrotropin in guinea pigs: IM.
Cited course lengths for Thyrotropin in guinea pigs include: Single injection. In the cited primary study, plasma was sampled before injection and again at 3 and 4 hr; thyroxine in a euthyroid guinea pig should at least double 3-4 hr after rhTSH.. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Thyrotropin is indicated in guinea pigs for: Thyroid function testing (TSH stimulation test).
These are general warnings for Thyrotropin across species; consult the guinea pig dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Diagnostic agent, not therapeutic. Very expensive. TSH stimulation test considered gold standard but rarely performed due to cost. Refrigerate.
Why a species-specific page? Thyrotropin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in guinea pigs — 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.