Specialist Need Advice On Antibiotics

[Emfitz]

Hi I would really like some advice on the antibiotics the vet gave me for my piggy Wellard. I took Wellard to vets with an suspected uti on Friday the vet prescribed him Duphatrim 80 1/4 of a tablet daily. She said she didn't want to give him Baytril as he had it previously for a bite and she didn't want him to build up a resistance. Over the weekend his pills got misplaced so I called another local vet as mine was shut they gave me Norodine 80 as a replacement. As I was concerned with him having two different antibiotics I did some research they do have the same medication in (trimethoprim 80mg Sulfadiazine 400 mg) but all I can find says these are for dogs nowhere does it mention guinea pigs I am worried now any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks Emma

 

[Wiebke]

I am tagging our medications expert for you. Could you please add which country you are in.
@Pebble

 

[Emfitz]

I am tagging our medications expert for you. Could you please add which country you are in: @Pebble

I am in England

 

[Lady Kelly]

As far as I know there is no medication for guinea pigs. It's usually just much smaller doses of cat and dog medicines. Like metacam is a cat painkiller and loxicom is the same painkiller but for dogs.

Hopefully someone can shed some light on the specific medication you have been given though to help you

 

[juls65]

Guinea Lynx list the medication as safe for guinea pigs

 

[Freela]

I'm not a meds expert, but have gone through a few different antibiotics. Generally the meds are listed as either dog or cat meds (but dosed for weight based on the size of a guinea pig.) There really aren't medications marketed to guinea pigs and other small pets because they probably are not seen as enough of a money-maker for the pharmaceutical companies to target them specifically. However, there are dog and cat meds that can be reduced in dose and given safely and effectively.

 

[Emfitz]

I'm not a meds expert, but have gone through a few different antibiotics. Generally the meds are listed as either dog or cat meds (but dosed for weight based on the size of a guinea pig.) There really aren't medications marketed to guinea pigs and other small pets because they probably are not seen as enough of a money-maker for the pharmaceutical companies to target them specifically. However, there are dog and cat meds that can be reduced in dose and given safely and effectively.

Thanks for your reply the thing that worried me was it said on the company website norodine 80 for dogs for cats use norodine 20 and guinea pigs are far closer to cat size. I do feel a bit better after the replies and I guess the vet would of checked before giving them to me. Thanks again everyone

 

[Emfitz]

Just to mention Wellard weighs 1.05

 

[Elwickcavies]

These meds will be fine, although I would definitely recommend using a probiotic 1-2 hours after the antibiotic to help with any tummy upsets. Bear in mind that guinea pigs have a much faster metabolism than a cat so often a dog med is more appropriate as more medicine is needed for the same effect.

 

[Abi_nurse]

Trimethoprim is septrin which is what most people are used to being given. Odd that the vet didn't have this type in stock.

x