Amoxicillin-Clavulanate for Blue-and-Gold Macaws

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

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate is dosed at 125 mg/kg PO q12h in blue-and-gold macaws, per Phalen DN. Common bacterial and fungal infectious diseases in pet birds. Suppl Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet. 2003;25:43-48. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.406 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) PMID: 21872782. Amoxicillin-Clavulanate is used in blue-and-gold macaws for Broad-spectrum bacterial infection (beta-lactamase-producing organisms). Routes documented in blue-and-gold macaws: PO. A typical adult blue-and-gold macaw weighs 0.90–1.30 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Amoxicillin-Clavulanate in blue-and-gold macaws, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Clavamox, Augmentin

Contraindicated in Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu

Rabbit: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsOral amoxicillin (and other oral beta-lactams) selectively destroy gram-positive hindgut flora in rabbits, allowing Clostridium spiroforme overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never administer oral beta-lactams to rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route, but is not established as safe in rabbits.
Guinea Pig: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsOral amoxicillin reliably causes Clostridium difficile-mediated fatal enterotoxemia in guinea pigs. Same mechanism as in rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route; parenteral ceftiofur specifically has been given to guinea pigs and chinchillas without adverse effect.
Chinchilla: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasChinchillas are hindgut fermenters with the same flora dependence as rabbits and guinea pigs. Oral penicillins and oral cephalosporins trigger Clostridium overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never give oral beta-lactams; parenteral routes and trimethoprim-sulfa, fluoroquinolones, or chloramphenicol are the safer choices.
Hamster: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal enterocolitis in hamstersHamsters are exquisitely susceptible to antibiotic-associated Clostridium difficile enterocolitis — the hamster is the classic laboratory model for it. Oral penicillins and cephalosporins are reliably fatal. Never administer oral beta-lactams.
Degu: Oral beta-lactams risk fatal dysbiosis in degusDegus are caviomorph hindgut fermenters closely related to chinchillas and guinea pigs. Degu-specific data is limited, so this warning is extrapolated from those related hystricomorphs — but the shared physiology makes oral beta-lactam enterotoxemia the expected outcome. Treat as contraindicated; use the safer alternatives.

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	125 mg/kg	q12h	Broad-spectrum bacterial infection (beta-lactamase-producing organisms)	Moderate	Phalen DN. Common bacterial and fungal infectious diseases in pet birds. Suppl Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet. 2003;25:43-48. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.406 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) PMID: 21872782

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Mechanism of action

Amoxicillin inhibits cell wall synthesis; clavulanate irreversibly inhibits beta-lactamase, extending spectrum to beta-lactamase-producing organisms.

Side effects & warnings

CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea). Broad-spectrum first-line antibiotic. Give with food.

Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for blue-and-gold macaws may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Amoxicillin-Clavulanate for Blue-and-Gold Macaws?

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate dose range in blue-and-gold macaws, with cited source references: PO 125 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Amoxicillin-Clavulanate administered in Blue-and-Gold Macaws?

Documented routes for Amoxicillin-Clavulanate in blue-and-gold macaws: PO.

What conditions does Amoxicillin-Clavulanate treat in Blue-and-Gold Macaws?

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate is indicated in blue-and-gold macaws for: Broad-spectrum bacterial infection (beta-lactamase-producing organisms).

What are the side effects of Amoxicillin-Clavulanate in Blue-and-Gold Macaws?

These are general warnings for Amoxicillin-Clavulanate across species; consult the blue-and-gold macaw dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea). Broad-spectrum first-line antibiotic. Give with food.

Other Antibiotic drugs with blue-and-gold macaw dosing

Amikacin Azithromycin Chloramphenicol Doxycycline Enrofloxacin Marbofloxacin Metronidazole Oxytetracycline Piperacillin-Tazobactam Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate dosing in other species

African Grey Parrots Amazon Parrots Domestic Pigeons Green-cheeked Conures Lovebirds Umbrella Cockatoos African Pygmy Hedgehogs Cats

See all species for Amoxicillin-Clavulanate See all drugs for Blue-and-Gold Macaws

Why a species-specific page? Amoxicillin-Clavulanate pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in blue-and-gold macaws — 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.