Giardiasis in Blue-and-Gold Macaws

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

2 cited drugs treat Giardiasis in blue-and-gold macaws: Fenbendazole, Metronidazole.

Intestinal infection with Giardia (a flagellate protozoan). Common in young or recently rehomed animals and across exotic species kept in groups; presents as soft to watery diarrhoea, often intermittent. Treatment options vary by species — some species tolerate metronidazole poorly.

The overview above describes Giardiasis 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.

Fenbendazole(Panacur)

Antiparasitic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	15 mg/kg	q24h	Anthelmintic (nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, Giardia)	Weak	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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.433 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Fenbendazole 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 →

All drugs cited for Giardiasis →All drugs for Blue-and-Gold Macaws →

Other conditions in Blue-and-Gold Macaws

Bacterial Infections Endoparasites Sedation 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.