Cisapride (Propulsid)
Oral 0.1-0.5 mg/kg q12h

Cisapride is a motility drug to aid movement of food through the digestive system. This product may no longer be on the market as of July 2000 according to some sites but does appear in James Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 2001.

Kaolin & Pectin
Oral 0.1 cc every 6-8 hours as needed. Use a preparation with ONLY kaolin and NO pain relievers or other medications. Do not use products containing bismuth salicylate. Although use of pectin was reportedly banned a few years ago, kaolin/pectin still appears to be available.

Serafina's copy of V.C.G. Richardson's 1992 edition mentions 0.2 ml given 3-4 times daily.

Kaopectate, a very common form of kaolin and pectin, now contains bismuth salicylate and should not be used. Look for another antidiarrheal not containing bismuth salicylate. A vet can evaluate the severity of the diarrhea and determine whether an antibiotic or antiparasitic drug is needed.

PRODUCTS:
Examples of products that use only pectin and kaolin as active ingredients are Lambert Kay Pet-Pecillin and NaturVet® Anti-Diarrhea. A search of the internet will turn up other products and suppliers.

Pet-Pectillin Diarrhea Medication can be found at www.petfooddirect.com

NaturVet® Anti-Diarrhea can be purchased at Jefferspet.

In the UK, look for Protexin "Pro Kolin". Ingredients are:
Soya Oil, Preplex prebiotic (FOS & arabinogalactan), Pectin. Kaolin, Artificial beef flavouring (sold for cats/dogs).

Be sure to check the active ingredients list to ensure the product does not include bismuth salicylate before purchasing any Kaolin-Pectin forumlation

Loperamide -- Imodium A-D
Oral 0.1 mg/kg PO q8h X 3 days, then q24h X 2 days -- Exotic Animal Formulary

A vet can determine how serious the diarrhea is and if an antibiotic or antiparasitic drug is needed.

Metoclopromide (Reglan)
Oral, SC,IM 0.2-1.0 mg/kg q12h

Reglan is a motility drug to aid movement of food through the digestive system.

For more information, see www.marvistavet.com
Metoclopramide crosses the placenta and into milk and is probably best avoided in pregnant or nursing mothers. A possible side effect in older or susceptible guinea pigs may be seisures.

Simethicone
"Try 1/2 pediatric dose 2 or 3 times a day."
"I use .15cc, give or take a bit (its 1/2 the low end infant dose), and I use it 2x per day."

Simethicone can relieve mild gas pressure. You must see a vet for severe gas or bloat but it can relieve moderate discomfort.

H-2 Blockers or GI acid reducers/protectants. Used to help prevent gastric ulceration from Prednisone:

Cimetidine (Tagamet) - 5-10 mg/kg PO q6-12h
Carpenters 3rd Edition

Ranitidine (Zantac) - 2-5mg/kg PO q12h
Carpenters 3rd Edition

Bio-Sponge
Appr. 0.35cc/kg q12h or 0.175cc/kg q6h (see below*)
Equine Bio-Sponge, which contains Di-tri-octahedral smectite, is reasonably priced and very effective.

"Bio-Sponge is an intestinal protectant designed to help support healthy intestinal function. Bio-Sponge has substantial capacity to adsorb and absorb toxins, viruses, bacteria and free radicals. A university study showed that Bio-Sponge™ adsorbed 99% of clostridium difficile and clostridium perfringens toxins in vitro."

*Dosage information received via email from Allyson at Platinum Performance, Inc. who consulted their staff nutritionist:

Guinea Pigs 600-900 grams administer between 0.4cc-0.6cc total daily, split into 2-4 feedings.

Guinea Pigs 950-1400 grams administer between 0.7cc-1.0cc total daily, split into 2-4 feedings.