Respiratory Infections in Rabbits

Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg

6 cited drugs treat Respiratory Infections in rabbits: Azithromycin, Ceftiofur, Clarithromycin, Doxycycline, Florfenicol, Tiamulin.

Upper- and lower-respiratory bacterial, mycoplasmal, and fungal infection. Includes bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) in cattle, pneumonia in companion species, and air sacculitis in birds. Antimicrobial choice often requires species-specific evidence.

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

Azithromycin(Zithromax)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	15–30 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Respiratory infections (alternative)	Weak	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Azithromycin dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Ceftiofur(Excenel, Excede, Naxcel)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC	5–10 mg/kg	q12-24h	7-14 days	Respiratory infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Ceftiofur dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Clarithromycin(Biaxin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	12.5–25 mg/kg	q12h	14-21 days	Respiratory infections (Pasteurella)	Weak	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Clarithromycin dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Doxycycline(Vibramycin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	2.5–5 mg/kg	q12h	14-28 days	Respiratory infections, Pasteurella	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Doxycycline dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Florfenicol(Nuflor, Aquaflor)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	20–30 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Respiratory infections	Weak	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Florfenicol dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Tiamulin(Denagard)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	5–10 mg/kg	q12-24h	10-14 days	Respiratory infections (Pasteurella, Mycoplasma)	Weak	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Tiamulin dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

All drugs cited for Respiratory Infections →All drugs for Rabbits →

Other conditions in Rabbits

Coccidiosis GI Stasis (Ileus)Sedation General Anesthesia Bacterial Infections Pain Management GI Ulceration Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)

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.