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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
RouteDoseFrequencyIndicationEvidenceSource
PO15 mg/kgq24h x 5 daysAnthelmintic (nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, Giardia)WeakBailey TA, Apo MM. Pharmaceutics commonly used in avian medicine. In: Samour J, eds. Avian Medicine, 3rd ed., Mosby Elsevier, Edinburgh, Scotland; 2016:637-678. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.433 — 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

Metronidazole(Flagyl)

Antibiotic
RouteDoseFrequencyIndicationEvidenceSource
PO10–30 mg/kgq12h x 10 daysAnaerobic bacterial infection; alimentary flagellates (Giardia, Trichomonas, Hexamita)ModerateTully TN. Psittacine therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:59-90. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.417 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a). 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

Other conditions in Blue-and-Gold Macaws

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.