Body temperature = 37.2-39.5oC
Heart rate = 230-380/min
Respiratory rate = 42-104/min
Tidal volume = 2.3-5.3 ml/kg
Large cecum can act as reservoir for anesthetics. Depending on drug solubility, the cecum can alter the pharmacologic effect.
Induction of anesthesia using volatile anesthetics (e.g., halothane and isoflurane) should be done with caution due to initial breath holding when animals are first exposed to irritating gas vapors.
Repeated exposure to halothane can cause hepatotoxicity. Isoflurane is a safer inhalant anesthetic to use.
Self-mutilation has been reported in guinea pigs after ketamine administration.
Atropine 0.05 mg/kg SC
Diazepam, C-IV (Valium®) 2.5-5.0 mg/kg IP IM
Acetylpromazine 5-10 mg/kg IM SC IV
Ketamine, C-III (Ketaset®, Vetalar®) 22-30 mg/kg IM
Sodium Pentobarbital, C-II 15-40 mg/kg IP
Sodium Thiopental, C-III 20 mg/kg IV
Ketamine, C-III 40-50 mg/kg IM
Ketamine/Xylazine:
Ketamine 44 mg/kg SC
Xylazine 5-13 mg/kg SC
Halothane (Fluothane®) To effect IH
Isoflurane To effect IH
Buprenorphine, C-V 0.05 mg/kg q8-12h SC
Morphine, C-II 10 mg/kg q2-4h SC IM
Aspirin 86 mg/kg PO
Butorphanol tartrate, C-IV (Torbugesic®) 0.25-0.4 mg/kg IV SC
Reversal Agent: Atipamezole (Antisedan®) 1 mg/kg IM IV SC IP
Antibiotics: Guinea pigs are extremely sensitive to the effects of many antibiotics. In particular, penicillin and other antibiotics with primarily Gram-positive spectra can cause death secondary to enterocolitis, although many other antibiotics have also been implicated as causes of this condition. Based on literature review of antibiotic use in guinea pigs, chloramphenicol is the antibiotic least frequently associated with subsequent medical problems and is therefore the recommended antibiotic for this species.
Writhing Response: Guinea pigs exhibit a peculiar squirming movement during the administration of volatile anesthetics. This response does not indicate a return to consciousness, and the anesthetic level should not be increased.