MEDICATIONS
- DANGEROUS MEDS -- Antibiotics can be deadly to your pet!
- Calculating Doses -- The mysteries of dosing revealed.
- Dose Calculator -- Automatically calculate doses for common meds!
- Weight Conversion Chart -- Convert weight to kilos or pounds
- Giving Meds -- Tips for giving liquid, pill, and subcutaneous medications.
- Probiotics -- Help restore the balance of microflora in the digestive tract.
- Probiotics for Horses -- There are many similaries between the digestive system of a horse and that of a guinea pig. Our thanks to Tom Moates for permission to reprint his informative article.
- Nutritional Supplements -- Vitamin C and other commonly used supplements.
SAFE MEDICATIONS
- Antibiotics -- Safe antibiotics list.
- Advice -- Antibiotics can affect appetite. What you must know.
- Analgesics -- Use pain relievers only under veterinary supervision.
- Antifungal Agents -- Treat fungal infections easily.
- Antiparasitics -- Skin mites, lice, and intestinal parasite treatments.
- Cardiovascular Agents -- Heart problems are common. Proper diagnosis and treatment can extend their lives.
- Diarrhea/Motility -- Diarrhea can be deadly. Seek treatment immediately. Other conditions benefit greatly from motility drugs.
SOURCES AND REFERENCES FOR DRUG DOSAGE
MEDICATIONS INDEX
Remember: use all medications under the guidance of a veterinarian experienced in the care and treatment of guinea pigs. And any medication can have side effects.
ACE INHIBITORS
* Heart problems are common in older guinea pigs. Diagnosis and treatment can help your pet live a long and healthy life. Cardiovascular Agents
ANTIBIOTICS
* Use antibiotics with care. Ensure that antibiotics prescribed by your vet are safe for your guinea pig. Antibiotics DANGEROUS MEDICATIONS Be sure to read the Guinea Lynx page offering Antibiotic Advice.
ANTIPARASITICS
* Mite infestations are extremely common and can be life threatening. Be sure to have your pet treated with ivermectin or selemectin if mites are suspected. Antiparasitics
Acetylsalicylic acid
(generic name) NSAID Commonly known as aspirin. Analgesics
Advantage®
(brand name) ANTIPARASITIC Imidacloprid (generic name) Antiparasitics
Aspirin
(brand name) NSAID Acetylsalicylic acid (generic name) Analgesics
BENZODIAZEPINES
* (a drug classification) Analgesics **May be used for appetite stimulation, anti-anxiety, sedation, anti-seizure, muscle relaxation, etc. Not great pain control. Example: Valium (diazepam)
Bactrim®
(brand name) ANTIBIOTIC trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (generic name) Antibiotics
Banamine®
(brand name) NSAID Flunixin meglumine (generic name) Analgesics
Baytril®
(brand name) ANTIBIOTIC enrofloxacin (generic name) Antibiotics
Benazepril Hydrochloride
(generic name) ACE INHIBITOR Brand names include Lotensin, Fortekor Cardiovascular Agents
Bio-Sponge™
(brand name) DIGESTION Di-tri-octahedral smectite (generic name) Digestion and Motility Drugs
Buprenex®
(brand name) OPIATE Buprenorphine (generic name) Analgesics
Buprenorphine
(generic name) OPIATE Analgesics
Butorphanol
(generic name) OPIATE Analgesics
Carprofen
(generic name) NSAID Commonly sold as Rimadyl. Analgesics
Chloramphenicol
(generic name) ANTIBIOTIC Antibiotics
Chloramphenicol palmitate
(generic name) ANTIBIOTIC Antibiotics
Chloramphenicol sodium succinate
(generic name) ANTIBIOTIC Antibiotics
Cimetidine
(generic name) DIGESTION Sold as Tagamet. Digestion and Motility Drugs
Cisapride
(generic name) MOTILITY Sold as Propulsid. Digestion and Motility Drugs
Clavamox - WARNING
WARNING: DANGEROUS ANTIBIOTIC DO NOT USE!
(brand name) DANGEROUS DRUG Penicillin (generic name) Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Dangerous Medications
Dexamethasone
(generic name) GLUCOCORTICOIDS Analgesics
Di-tri-octahedral smectite
(generic name) DIGESTION Sold as Bio-Sponge. Digestion and Motility Drugs
Diazepam
(generic name) BENZODIAZEPINE Also known as Valium. Analgesics
Doxycycline
(generic name) ANTIBIOTIC Also known as Vibramycin, Vibravet. Antibiotics
Enacard®
(brand name) ACE INHIBITOR Enalapril (generic name) Cardiovascular Agents
Enalapril
(generic name) ACE INHIBITOR Commonly sold as Enacard Cardiovascular Agents
Enrofloxacin
(generic name) ANTIBIOTIC Sold as Baytril. Antibiotics
Fenbendazole
(generic name) ANTIPARASITIC Sold as Panacur. Antiparasitics
Flagyl®
(brand name) ANTIPARASITIC Metronidazole (generic name) Antiparasitics
Flunixin meglumine
(generic name) NSAID Sold as Banamine. Analgesics
Fortekor®
(brand name) ACE INHIBITOR Benazepril Hydrochloride (generic name) Cardiovascular Agents
Furosemide
(generic name) DIURETIC Cardiovascular Agents - MedlinePlus
GLUCOCORTICOIDS (A Class Of Steroids)
* (a drug classification) Analgesics **Should be used with caution. Very powerful anti-inflammatory medications, but overusage/improper usage can cause other medical conditions such as Cushing's Disease, diabetes, etc. In general, the dosages are started higher and tapered off slowly during a certain time period. They are sometimes very useful for animals with certain cancers, very severe skin problems (itchy skin), and some traumatic musculoskeletal conditions. Excessive thirst/urination, and increased appetite are common side effects. Muscle wasting/atrophy is seen at some doses and during long-term use. Dexamethasone is a common emergency and shock drug, but those doses are not mentioned here. DO NOT USE THESE DRUGS CONCURRENTLY WITH NSAID DRUGS. Most vets recommend at least 12-24 hours in between dosings if the choice has been made to switch from steroids to NSAID'Sor vice-versa.
Ibuprofen
(generic name) NSAID Analgesics
Imidacloprid
(generic name) ANTIPARASITIC Sold as Advantage. Antiparasitics
Imodium A-D®
(brand name) DIGESTION Loperamide (generic name) Digestion and Motility Drugs
Ivermectin
(generic name) ANTIPARASITIC Antiparasitics
Ivomec®
(brand name) ANTIPARASITIC Ivermectin (generic name) Antiparasitics
Kaolin & Pectin
(generic name) DIGESTION Sold as Pet Pectillin. NOT the same as Kaopectate! Digestion and Motility Drugs
KetoChlor®
(brand name) ANTIFUNGAL Antifungal
Ketoconazole
(generic name) ANTIFUNGAL Antifungal
Lasix®
(brand name) DIURETIC Furosemide (generic name) Cardiovascular Agents
Loperamide
(generic name) DIGESTION Sold as Imodium A-D Digestion and Motility Drugs
Lotensin®
(brand name) ACE INHIBITOR Benazepril Hydrochloride (generic name) Cardiovascular Agents
Lufenuron
(generic name) ANTIFUNGAL Antifungal
Malaseb®
(brand name) ANTIFUNGAL Miconazole (generic name) Antifungal
Meloxicam
(generic name) NSAID Analgesics
Maximum dose discussion
Metacam®
(brand name) NSAID Meloxicam (generic name) Analgesics
Maximum dose discussion
Metoclopromide
(generic name) MOTILITY Digestion and Motility Drugs
Metronidzole
(generic name) ANTIPARASITIC Antiparasitics
Miconazole
(generic name) ANTIFUNGAL Antifungal
Mobic®
(brand name) NSAID Meloxicam (generic name) Analgesics
Monistat®
(brand name) ANTIFUNGAL Miconazole (generic name) Antifungal
Morphine sulfate
(generic name) OPIATE Analgesics
Morphine®
(brand name) OPIATE Morphine sulfate (generic name) Analgesics
NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
* (a drug classification) None of these drugs should ever be used with steroidal drugs due to potential side effects, namely GI ulceration. If these are to be used long-term, certain GI protectants may (and should) be considered. Serious liver and kidney problems may potentially result from misuse or abuse of these drugs and should be used with caution in patients who may have these problems.
Nizoral®
(brand name) ANTIFUNGAL Ketoconazole (generic name) Antifungal
Nystatin
(generic name) ANTIFUNGAL Antifungal - MedlinePlus
OPIATES (a drug classification)
Opiates may cause sedation, and GI slowing with regular use. Other indications may also be present (e.g. butorphanol has anti-tussive/coughing effects and some anti-emetic/nausea effects).
Oxymorphone
(generic name) OPIATE Analgesics
Panacur®
(brand name) ANTIPARASITIC Fenbendazole (generic name) Antiparasitics
Penicillin - WARNING
WARNING: DANGEROUS ANTIBIOTIC DO NOT USE! Dangerous Medications
Pet-Pectillin®
(brand name) DIGESTION Kaolin & Pectin (generic name) Digestion and Motility Drugs
Prednisone
(generic name) GLUCOCORTICOID Analgesics
Program®
(brand name) ANTIFUNGAL Lufenuron (generic name) Antifungal
Propulsid®
(brand name) MOTILITY Cisapride (generic name) Digestion and Motility Drugs
Ranitidine
(generic name) DIGESTION Digestion and Motility Drugs
Reglan®
(brand name) MOTILITY Metoclopromide (generic name) Digestion and Motility Drugs
Revolution®
(brand name) ANTIPARASITIC Selamectin (generic name) Antiparasitics
Rimadyl®
(brand name) NSAID Carprofen (generic name) Analgesics
Selamectin
(generic name) ANTIPARASITIC Revolution (brand name) Antiparasitics
Septra®
(brand name) ANTIBIOTIC Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole(generic name) Antibiotics
Simethicone
(generic name) DIGESTION Digestion and Motility Drugs
Stronghold®
(brand name) ANTIPARASITIC Selamectin (generic name) Antiparasitics
Tagamet®
(brand name) DIGESTION Cimetidine (generic name) Digestion and Motility Drugs
Torb®
(brand name) OPIATE Butorphanol (generic name) Analgesics
Torbugesic®
(brand name) OPIATE Butorphanol (generic name) Analgesics
Torbutrol®
(brand name) OPIATE Butorphanol (generic name) Analgesics
Tramadol
(generic name) OPIATE Analgesics
Tribrissen®
(brand name) ANTIBIOTIC Trimethoprim Sulfadiazine (generic name) Antibiotics
Trimethoprim Sulfadiazine (TMP-SDZ)
(generic name) ANTIBIOTIC Antibiotics
Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole
(generic name) ANTIBIOTIC Antibiotics
Valium®
(brand name) BENZODIAZEPINE Diazepam (generic name) Analgesics
Vibramycin®
(brand name) ANTIBIOTIC Doxycycline (generic name) Antibiotics
Vibravet®
(brand name) ANTIBIOTIC Doxycycline (generic name) Antibiotics
Zantac®
(brand name) DIGESTION Ranitidine (generic name) Digestion and Motility Drugs
SOURCES AND REFERENCES FOR DRUG DOSAGE
The medications listed on this site are medications successfully used by members of Guinea Lynx Forums. Not all medications found in the following sources are listed. The drugs on these pages are considered the most common and efficacious meds.The following reference books include most of these medications and others suitable for use on guinea pigs.
DO NOT ADD ANY MEDICATIONS TO YOUR GUINEA PIG'S DRINKING WATER.
Dose your guinea pigs individually to ensure they receive the correct amount of any medication.
- The Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents by J.Harkness DVM and J.Wagner DVM (publisher Williams & Wilkins - a Lea and Febiger Book)
- Diseases of Domestic Guinea Pigs by V.C.G. Richardson (publisher Blackwell Science Ltd.)
- The Exotic Animal Formulary by James W. Carpenter, MS, DMV et al (publisher W.B. Saunders Company)
- Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents - Clinical Medicine and Surgery by Katherine E.Quesenberry DVM and James W. Carpenter (publisher Elsevier -- 2nd edition 2004)
- Veterinary Drug Handbook -- 4th edition by Donald C. Plumb (publisher Blackwell Publishing -- 4th edition 2002)
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