ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/ampicillin
US brand names:Polyflex
Contraindicated in Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu
Ampicillin is dosed at 10–20 mg/kg SC, IM q12h in ball pythons, per Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, UK; 2020. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins. Broader spectrum than penicillin G with gram-negative coverage.
CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). May cause GI upset. Cross-reactivity with other beta-lactams. IM injection may be painful.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 29 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 22–40 mg/kg | q6-8h | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.107 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.78, Ampicillin monograph spanning p.78-81; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 10–20 mg/kg | q6-8h | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.78, Ampicillin monograph spanning p.78-81; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.79, Ampicillin monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, |
Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.
View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Amazon Parrot drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Betta (Siamese fighting fish) drugsAll Blue-tongue Skink drugsAll Canary drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Cattle (Beef/Dairy) drugsAll Chicken (Poultry) drugsAll Corn Snake drugsAll Crested Gecko drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Domestic Pigeon drugsAll Eastern Box Turtle drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Goldfish drugsAll Horse (Equine) drugsAll Koi drugs