Cephalexin for African Grey Parrots

Bird · Psittacus erithacus · typical adult weight 0.40–0.65 kg

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.

Cephalexin is dosed at 40–100 mg/kg PO, IM q6-8h in african grey parrots, per 391. Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.408 — Carpenter 6th ed, Table 5.6 is not involved - the row is in Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds), Cephalexin block. NOTE the served reference is Carpenter citing its OWN 4th edition (ref 391), so the ultimate provenance of 40-100 mg/kg remains unestablished. Cephalexin is used in african grey parrots for Bacterial infection (gram-positive, some gram-negative). Routes documented in african grey parrots: PO, IM. A typical adult african grey parrot weighs 0.40–0.65 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cephalexin in african grey parrots, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO, IM	40–100 mg/kg	q6-8h	Bacterial infection (gram-positive, some gram-negative)	Moderate	391. Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.408 — Carpenter 6th ed, Table 5.6 is not involved - the row is in Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds), Cephalexin block. NOTE the served reference is Carpenter citing its OWN 4th edition (ref 391), so the ultimate provenance of 40-100 mg/kg remains unestablished.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

What each reference text prints

Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.

Printed doses in mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
35–50	IM	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.1	35-50 mg/kg IM q2- 3h
35–50	PO	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.1	35-50 mg/kg PO, IM q6-8h
40–100	PO	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.1	40-100 mg/kg PO, IM q6-8h

Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.

Calculate the dose for your african grey parrot

3 a day (1 exotic) · no account needed

Drug

Cephalexin (Keflex)

Weight

Typical range: 400–650 g

Route

Concentration (optional, mg/ml)

If provided, volume will be calculated alongside dose.

Reference only. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Side effects & warnings

May cause GI upset. Use with caution in penicillin-allergic animals (cross-reactivity). Not effective against Pseudomonas.

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Cephalexin for African Grey Parrots?

Cephalexin dose range in african grey parrots, with cited source references: PO, IM 40–100 mg/kg q6-8h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Cephalexin administered in African Grey Parrots?

Documented routes for Cephalexin in african grey parrots: PO, IM.

What conditions does Cephalexin treat in African Grey Parrots?

Cephalexin is indicated in african grey parrots for: Bacterial infection (gram-positive, some gram-negative).

What are the side effects of Cephalexin in African Grey Parrots?

These are general warnings for Cephalexin across species; consult the african grey parrot dosing table above for species-specific guidance. May cause GI upset. Use with caution in penicillin-allergic animals (cross-reactivity). Not effective against Pseudomonas.

Why a species-specific page? Cephalexin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in african grey parrots — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.