Guinea Lynx A Medical and Care Guide for Guinea Pigs

ANTIBIOTICS

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Commonly Prescribed Antibiotics

The following antibiotics are commonly used to treat a variety of problems in guinea pigs. Most antibiotics are prescribed in oral form for the pet owner to administer at home, though several can be administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular routes. Be sure to read Antibiotic Advice -- What You Need To Know About Antibiotics.
  • Bactrim (SMZ-TMP; trimethoprim sulfa; Tribrissen; sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim, Septra)
  • Baytril (Enrofloxacin)
  • Chloramphenicol (Chloramphenicol sodium succinate, Chloramphenicol palmitate)
  • Doxycycline (Vibramycin, Vibravet)

Bactrim -- (trimethoprim sulfa; SMZ-TMP; sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim; Tribrissen, Septra)

Oral Dosage: 30 mg/kg q12h (i.e. 30mg/kg is given every 12 hours, for a total of 60 mg/kg in 24 hours)   dot Calculate Dose in mg and cc

Bactrim is a commonly used human and veterinary antibiotic and generally comes in a standard suspension. Each 5.0 ml of this pediatric oral suspension (one of the drugs sometimes referred to as "the pink stuff") contains 200mg sulfamethoxazole and 40mg trimethoprim/5ml for a total of 240mg active ingredients/5ml or 48mg/cc. A dose of 0.625 cc would provide 30mg bactrim for a pig of one kilo (2.2 pounds).

It is considered by some to be the drug of choice for urinary tract infections (UTI's). Louise C. notes it is used for urinary tract, ear and lung infections and kills the following: P. carnii, E. coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas cepacia, Pasturella, Clostridia, Proteus, Salmonella, Shigella, Brucella

For more information on bactrim, see www.marvistavet.com. and www.veterinarypartner.com Go Up


Baytril -- (Enrofloxacin)

Oral Dosage: 2.5-10.0 mg/kg q12h   dot Calculate Dose in mg and cc

Baytril can be administered by oral, subcutaneous or intramuscular routes.

Baytril is considered one of the "big guns", frequently used to treat guinea pigs with bacterial infections. Read additional information on baytril's use/misuse and efficacy on this thread. Louise C. notes it kills: E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, S. aureus. Baytril can affect the appetite, more likely when given orally. Ideally baytril should only be used on adult pigs as it is believed to interfere with proper growth, particularly in long term treatment. Bactrim (Tribrissen) is a safe alternative for young pigs.

For more information on baytril, see www.marvistavet.com Go Up


Chloramphenicol -- (Chloramphenicol sodium succinate [Subcutaneous, Intramuscular], Chloramphenicol palmitate [oral])

Oral Dosage: 50 mg/kg q12h   dot Calculate Dose in mg and cc

Louise C. notes it kills: H. influenzae, S. typhi, Rickettsia, Neisseria, Mycoplasma which cause lung infections. Go Up


Doxycycline -- doxycycline hyclate, doxycycline monohydrate (Vibramycin, Vibravet)

Oral Dosage: 5mg/kg q12h   dot Calculate Dose in mg and cc

Doxycycline is an advanced analogue of the tetracycline family of antibiotics with broad-spectrum activity against gram+ve and gram-ve bacteria including penicillinase-producers and anaerobes as well as rickettsia, chlamydia and mycoplasma. Activity has been demonstrated against a wide range of bacterial organisms including Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, E. coli, Pasteurella spp, Haemophilus spp, Clostridia spp, Listeria spp, Bacteroides spp, Bordetella spp, Klebsiella spp and others.The use of tetracyclines in newborn animals may lead to permanent yellow staining of teeth. Avoid using doxycycline in pregnant animals in the last 3 weeks of pregnancy and in newborn animals in the first month of life.

For more information on doxycycline (Vibramycin), see www.marvistavet.com.

Pinta has noted, "The Doxy dose that has worked the best for us is 5mg/kg twice a day. This is the same as the rat dose. We have found the usual dose of 2.5mg/kg just doesn't totally knock out a URI." Go Up

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