Endoparasites in Zebra Finches
Bird · Taeniopygia guttata · typical adult weight 0.01–0.02 kg
5 cited drugs treat Endoparasites in zebra finches: Fenbendazole, Niclosamide, Oxfendazole, Piperazine, Praziquantel.
Gastrointestinal helminth and protozoal infections. Macrocyclic lactones, benzimidazoles, and pyrantel cover the bulk of nematode treatment; protozoal indications require dedicated drugs (metronidazole, sulfadimethoxine).
The overview above describes Endoparasites across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to zebra finches — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Fenbendazole(Panacur)
Antiparasitic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO (drinking water) | 50 mg/L drinking water | in drinking water x5 days | × 5 days, as printed. | Nematodes - NOT effective against finch ventricular worms (identify the parasite first), do not administer during molt | Moderate | 391. Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.434 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712 |
Niclosamide(Niclocide, Yomesan)
Antiparasitic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 500 mg/kg | q7d x 4 wk | Cestodes, trematodes | Moderate | 391. Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.438 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712 [w3r2 2026-08-14] LOCATOR: Carpenter 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds), row "500 mg/kg PO q7d x 4 wk391 | Finches". Held copy is a paginationless ebook conversion, so the table and not the page is the citable location. The block header prints "may be toxic for geese and some anseriformes" and "not available in the United States". |
Oxfendazole(Synanthic, Benzelmin)
Antiparasitic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 10–40 mg/kg | once | Nematodes | Moderate | 895. Steinhort LA. Diagnosis and treatment of common diseases of finches. In: Bongaura JD, eds. Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy XIII; Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 2000:1119-1123. | 232. Doneley B. Formulary. In: Doneley B, eds. Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice: Companion and Aviary Birds; Manson Publishing, London, UK; 2011:285-320. | 578. Marshall R. Avian anthelmintics and antiprotozoals. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med. 1993;2:33-41. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.438 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Piperazine(Pipa-Tabs, Sergeants Worm Away)
Antiparasitic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO (drinking water) | 3700 mg/L drinking water (12-hr exposure only) | Single 12-hr exposure; repeat in 14-21 days | 12-hour medicated-water exposure only, then return the birds to plain water; repeat in 14-21 days. | Ascarids, oxyurids | Moderate | 159. Formulary. In: Chitty J, Lierz M, eds. BSAVA Manual of Raptors, Pigeons and Passerine Birds; British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2008:384-390. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.439 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Praziquantel(Droncit)
Antiparasitic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | repeat after 2-4 wk | Cestodes, trematodes | Moderate | 43. Bailey TA, Apo MM. Pharmaceutics commonly used in avian medicine. In: Samour J, eds. Avian Medicine, 3rd ed., Mosby Elsevier, Edinburgh, Scotland; 2016:637-678. | 178. Cooper JE, Appendix IX. Medicines and other agents used in treatment, including emergency anaesthesia kit and avian resuscitation protocol. In: Cooper JE, eds. Birds of Prey: Health and Disease, 3rd ed., Blackwell Publishing, Iowa State Press, Ames, IA; 2002:271-277. | 510. Lacasse C. Falconiformes. In: Miller RE, Fowler ME, eds. Fowler’s Wild Animal Medicine. 2015;Vol 8, Elsevier, St. Louis, MO, 127-142. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.439 doi:10.1016/b978-0-7234-3832-8.00023-7 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Avian Medicine (Samour) — ISBN 9780723438328, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780723438328; Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current Therapy — ISBN 9780323828529, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323828529 |
Other conditions in Zebra Finches
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.