Bacterial Infections in Blue-and-Gold Macaws

Bird · Ara ararauna · typical adult weight 0.90–1.30 kg

6 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in blue-and-gold macaws: Amoxicillin-Clavulanate, Azithromycin, Chloramphenicol, Metronidazole, Oxytetracycline, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole.

General coverage of susceptible bacterial pathogens. Drug selection turns on the suspected organism's gram-stain, the patient's species (oral β-lactams unsafe in rabbits/guinea pigs), and the infection site (penetration to bone, CSF, or biliary tree).

The overview above describes Bacterial Infections across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to blue-and-gold macaws — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate(Clavamox, Augmentin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	125 mg/kg	q12h	Broad-spectrum bacterial infection (beta-lactamase-producing organisms)	Moderate	Phalen DN. Common bacterial and fungal infectious diseases in pet birds. Suppl Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet. 2003;25:43-48. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.406 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) PMID: 21872782

Full Amoxicillin-Clavulanate dosing in Blue-and-Gold Macaws →Calculate for this blue-and-gold macaw →

Azithromycin(Zithromax)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	10 mg/kg	q48h x 5 treatments	Nonintracellular (extracellular) bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter JW, Olsen JH, Randle-Port M, et al. Pharmacokinetics of azithromycin in the blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) after intravenous and oral administration. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2005;36:606-609. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.407 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1638/04106.1

Full Azithromycin dosing in Blue-and-Gold Macaws →Calculate for this blue-and-gold macaw →

Chloramphenicol

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	50 mg/kg	q6h	Broad-spectrum bacterial infection (PK-derived interval)	Moderate	Clark CH, Thomas JE, Milton JL, et al. Plasma concentrations of chloramphenicol in birds. Am J Vet Res. 1982;43:1949. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.409 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.2460/ajvr.1982.43.07.1249

Full Chloramphenicol dosing in Blue-and-Gold Macaws →Calculate for this blue-and-gold macaw →

Metronidazole(Flagyl)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	10–30 mg/kg	q12h x 10 days	Anaerobic bacterial infection; alimentary flagellates (Giardia, Trichomonas, Hexamita)	Moderate	Tully TN. Psittacine therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:59-90. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.417 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Metronidazole dosing in Blue-and-Gold Macaws →Calculate for this blue-and-gold macaw →

Oxytetracycline(Terramycin, Liquamycin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC	50–75 mg/kg	not stated in the row	Broad-spectrum bacterial infection / Chlamydia, Mycoplasma	Weak	Flammer K. Common bacterial infections and antibiotic use in companion birds. Antimicrobial Therapy in Exotics; Supplement to Comp Cont Edu Pract Vet. 1998;20(3A):34-48. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.418 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Oxytetracycline dosing in Blue-and-Gold Macaws →Calculate for this blue-and-gold macaw →

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole(Bactrim, TMS)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	100 mg/kg	q12h	Broad-spectrum bacterial infection	Weak	Bauck L, Hoefer HL. Avian antimicrobial therapy. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med. 1993;2:17-22. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.422 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole dosing in Blue-and-Gold Macaws →Calculate for this blue-and-gold macaw →

All drugs cited for Bacterial Infections →All drugs for Blue-and-Gold Macaws →

Other conditions in Blue-and-Gold Macaws

Endoparasites Sedation Giardiasis Pain Management

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.