Veterinary Drugs & Dosages Table

Birds

DRUG DOSE ROUTE SUITABLE SPECIES DIRECTIONS USES/NOTES
Amoxycillin trihydrate (Betamox LA 150mg/ml) 150mg/kg IM SID
Amoxycillin and clavulanic acid (Synulox/Augmentin) 35mg/kg IM SID
Cefalexin 35-100mg/kg IM
Enrofloxacin (Baytril 5%) *1 5 – 15mg/kg IM Twice daily Salmonellosis. Can be irritant
15mg/kg PO Bird of prey Twice daily, 2 wks Starvation
Amoxycillin trihydrate (Betamox LA 150mg/ml) *1 0.025 ml IM Bird – blue tit size Single dose On admission
plus 0.5mls SC Hartmanns
0.05 ml IM Bird – sparrow size Single dose On admission
plus 1mls SC Hartmanns
0.1 ml IM Bird – blackbird size Single dose On admission
plus 2mls SC Hartmanns
0.25ml IM Bird – collard dove size Single dose
Over 30 min period		 On admission
plus 10mls SC (or IO) Hartmanns
0.5ml IM Bird – pigeon /tawny owl size Single dose
Over 30 min period		 On admission
plus 15-20mls SC (or IO) Hartmanns
1ml IM Bird – pheasant/duck size Single dose
Over 30 min period		 On admission
plus 30-40mls SC (or IO) Hartmanns
250mg/kg IM Swan Single dose On admission
250mg/kg IM Pigeon Daily Ruptured crop cover
Marbofloxacin (Marbocyl 20mg/ml) 10mg/kg IM SID Less irritant than enrofloxacin
DRUG DOSE ROUTE SUITABLE SPECIES DIRECTIONS USES/NOTES
Buprenorphine (Temgesic/Vetergesic) 0.1mg/kg IM, IV BID Sedative and analgesic
Butorphanol (Torbugesic) 2-4mg/kg IM, IV SID
Carprofen (Rimadyl) 5-10mg/kg IM, IV SID
Carprofen *1 5mg/kg IM Pheasant SID
Meloxicam (Metacam) 0.2mg/kg SC SID
0.2mg/kg PO SID (2 drops/kg)
DRUG DOSE ROUTE SUITABLE SPECIES DIRECTIONS USES/NOTES
Atipamezole (Antisedan) 750-1500mcg/kg Reversal for Ket+Med mix
Diazepam (Valium) 0.5-1.0mg/kg IV, IM Sedation for convulsions
Isoflurane 3-5% induction 1.5-2.5% maintenance Anaesthesia
Ketamine + medetomidine (Domitor 1mg/ml) 3-5mg/kg +
150-300mcg/kg		 IV, IM 30mins surgical GA. Birds standing 10mins after atipamezole reversal
DRUG DOSE ROUTE SUITABLE SPECIES DIRECTIONS USES/NOTES
Fenbendazole (Panacur) 20-50mg/kg PO Repeat in 10 days For capillariasis / cestodes treat for 3-5 consecutive days
For pigeons treat for 3 consecutive days at lowest dose
Fenbendazole *1 1 tablet PO Pigeon Single dose Admission
Ivermectin 0.2mg/kg IM, SC Endo and ectoparasites
0.1ml/kg PO Dilute 1:50 with propylene glycol
Ivermectin pour-on *1 One diluted drop Back of neck Garden bird Single dose Birds with mites
0.1ml Back of neck Crow sized bird Single dose Ectoparasites
0.1ml Collared dove Single dose Admission
Ivermectin for cattle *1 200mcg/kg SC, PO Ducks, corvids Once weekly for 3 wks Endoparasites
0.2ml/kg SC, PO For maggots if mixed 1:9 with propylene glycol
Fipronil (Frontline) *1 Topical Corvid Single dose Mites. Spray beneath feathers
Permethrin powders Topical Apply beneath feathers
Itraconazole 5-10mg/kg PO SID for 7-10 days Aspergillosis prophylactic
5-10mg/kg PO BID for 4-6wks Aspergillosis treatment
Itraconazole *1 20mg/kg BID for 2 wks Aspergillosis prophylactic. Antifungal
Exelpet *1 Insecticide for biting lice
Carnidazole (Spartrix) *1 10mg PO Single dose Antiprotozan for trichomonas in adult birds or chronic cases
5mg PO Single dose trichomonas in young birds
Half tablet PO Collared dove Single dose admission
1 tablet PO Pigeon Single dose admission
DRUG DOSE ROUTE SUITABLE SPECIES DIRECTIONS USES/NOTES
Isotonic fluids Mainly 50-150ml/kg/day Generally SC route Warm fluids Assume minimum 10% dehydration on arrival, add as appropriate
Hartmann’s 100-150 ml/kg/day SC, PO (6 doses) Maintenance rate for BABY birds
50-100 ml/kg/day Maintenance rate for ADULT birds
50-75 ml/kg Maintenance rate for Birds of prey Add deficits and losses

OTHER

DRUG DOSE ROUTE SUITABLE SPECIES DIRECTIONS USES/NOTES
Atropine 0.2-0.4mg/kg IM q3-4hrs For organophosphate poisoning
Dexamethasone 1-2mg/kg IV Use corticosteroids with care and only for short course of 48hrs max
2-4mg/kg IM
Doxapram (Dopram) 10mg/kg IV, IM Respiratory stimulant
Fish Eaters tablets *1 PO Seabirds seabirds
Frusimide (lasix 5%) 2mg/kg IV, IM Diuretic
Iron Dextran *1 10mg/kg IM Bird of prey Weekly for 2 wks starvation
Methylprednisolone (Solu medrone V) *2 0.5-1mg/kg PO, IM Allergies Methylprednisolone (Solu medrone V) *3
Nandrolone /Laurabolin *1 1mg/kg swift Single dose
Pentobarbital sodium (Pentobarbital) IV, IP, IC Euthanasia
Salt tablets *1 PO Seabirds seabirds
Vitamin B *1 10mg/kg thiamine content SC Bird of prey Weekly for 2 wks starvation
Vitamin B12 *1 250 – 5000mcg/kg IM or PO Duck Once weekly
1ml Swan Single dose On admission

Prophylactic pigeon treatment *1

Treatment Feral Pigeon Wood pigeon Collared dove Stock dove Turtle dove
Carnidazole 10mg 10mg 5mg or 10mg if infected 10mg 5mg
PMV vaccine
After 10days quarantine		 0.2ml SC 0.2ml SC 0.2ml SC
Fenbendazole pigeon capsule 1 capsule 1 capsule 1 capsule

Antitoxin for birds *1

10g activated charcoal – absorbent (burnt toast)
5g kaolin – adsorbent
5g tannic acid
5g light magnesium oxide – antacid

Water added to bring the total volume to 500ml

References
BSAVA Manual of Wildlife Casualties
*1 Practical Wildlife Care, Les Stocker
*2 Exotic Animal Formulary, third edition