Bird · Serinus canaria domestica · typical adult weight 0.01–0.03 kg
Ampicillin is dosed at 1000–2000 mg/L drinking water PO (drinking water) continuous in drinking water in canaries, per Haneveld-v Laarhoven MA, Dorrestein GM. IME-sudden high mortality in canaries. J Assoc Avian Vet. 1990;4:82. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.407 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Ampicillin is used in canaries for Bacterial infection — aviary/flock treatment, Bacterial infection (aviary/flock treatment). Routes documented in canaries: PO (drinking water), PO (in soft feed). A typical adult canary weighs 0.01–0.03 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ampicillin in canaries, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Polyflex
Contraindicated in Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO (drinking water) | 1000–2000 mg/L drinking water | continuous in drinking water | No course length printed in the row. | Bacterial infection — aviary/flock treatment | Moderate | Haneveld-v Laarhoven MA, Dorrestein GM. IME-sudden high mortality in canaries. J Assoc Avian Vet. 1990;4:82. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.407 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
| PO (in soft feed) | 2000–3000 mg/kg soft feed | Not stated (in-feed concentration) | No duration stated in the row. | Bacterial infection (aviary/flock treatment) | Moderate | Haneveld-v Laarhoven MA, Dorrestein GM. IME-sudden high mortality in canaries. J Assoc Avian Vet. 1990;4:82. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.407 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your canary's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
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.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for canaries may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ampicillin dose ranges in canaries, with cited source references: PO (drinking water) 1000–2000 mg/L drinking water continuous in drinking water; PO (in soft feed) 2000–3000 mg/kg soft feed Not stated (in-feed concentration). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ampicillin in canaries: PO (drinking water), PO (in soft feed).
Cited course lengths for Ampicillin in canaries include: No course length printed in the row.; No duration stated in the row.. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ampicillin is indicated in canaries for: Bacterial infection — aviary/flock treatment, Bacterial infection (aviary/flock treatment).
These are general warnings for Ampicillin across species; consult the canary dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). May cause GI upset. Cross-reactivity with other beta-lactams. IM injection may be painful.
Why a species-specific page? Ampicillin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in canaries — 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.