Bird · Agapornis roseicollis · typical adult weight 0.04–0.06 kg
Amitriptyline is dosed at 2 mg/kg PO q24h in lovebirds, per 267. Eugenio CT. Amitriptyline HCl: clinical study for treatment of feather picking. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 2003:133-135. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.471 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Amitriptyline is used in lovebirds for Feather damaging behavior, anxiety, phobia (tricyclic antidepressant). Routes documented in lovebirds: PO. A typical adult lovebird weighs 0.04–0.06 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Amitriptyline in lovebirds, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Elavil
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 2 mg/kg | q24h | Feather damaging behavior, anxiety, phobia (tricyclic antidepressant) | Moderate | 267. Eugenio CT. Amitriptyline HCl: clinical study for treatment of feather picking. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 2003:133-135. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.471 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your lovebird's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Inhibits reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Also has anticholinergic, antihistaminic, and alpha-adrenergic blocking properties.
Allow 2-4 weeks for behavioral effects. Sedation, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation. CONTRAINDICATED with MAOIs. Serotonin syndrome risk with tramadol. Cardiotoxic in overdose.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for lovebirds may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Amitriptyline dose range in lovebirds, with cited source references: PO 2 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Amitriptyline in lovebirds: PO.
Amitriptyline is indicated in lovebirds for: Feather damaging behavior, anxiety, phobia (tricyclic antidepressant).
These are general warnings for Amitriptyline across species; consult the lovebird dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Allow 2-4 weeks for behavioral effects. Sedation, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation. CONTRAINDICATED with MAOIs. Serotonin syndrome risk with tramadol. Cardiotoxic in overdose.
Why a species-specific page? Amitriptyline pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in lovebirds — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.