Cephalexin for Domestic Pigeons

Bird · Columba livia domestica · typical adult weight 0.30–0.50 kg

Cephalexin is dosed at 100 mg/kg PO q8-12h in domestic pigeons, per 376. Harlin RW. Pigeons. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1994;24:157-173. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.408 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Cephalexin is used in domestic pigeons for Bacterial infection; pyoderma, Bacterial infection. Routes documented in domestic pigeons: PO, PO, IM. A typical adult domestic pigeon weighs 0.30–0.50 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Cephalexin in domestic pigeons, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Keflex

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	100 mg/kg	q8-12h	Bacterial infection; pyoderma	Moderate	376. Harlin RW. Pigeons. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1994;24:157-173. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.408 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)
PO, IM	35–50 mg/kg	q6-8h	Bacterial infection	Moderate	133. Bush M, Locke D, Neal LA, et al. Pharmacokinetics of cephalothin and cephalexin in selected avian species. Am J Vet Res. 1981;42:1014-1017. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.408 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.2460/ajvr.1981.42.06.1014

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Mechanism of action

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to PBPs. First-generation cephalosporin with good gram-positive coverage.

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 domestic pigeons 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 Domestic Pigeons?

Cephalexin dose ranges in domestic pigeons, with cited source references: PO 100 mg/kg q8-12h; PO, IM 35–50 mg/kg q6-8h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Cephalexin administered in Domestic Pigeons?

Documented routes for Cephalexin in domestic pigeons: PO, PO, IM.

What conditions does Cephalexin treat in Domestic Pigeons?

Cephalexin is indicated in domestic pigeons for: Bacterial infection; pyoderma, Bacterial infection.

What are the side effects of Cephalexin in Domestic Pigeons?

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

Other Antibiotic drugs with domestic pigeon dosing

Amikacin Amoxicillin Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Ampicillin Cefadroxil Cefotaxime Chlortetracycline Ciprofloxacin Clindamycin Difloxacin Doxycycline Enrofloxacin

Cephalexin dosing in other species

African Grey Parrots Green-cheeked Conures Lovebirds Umbrella Cockatoos African Pygmy Hedgehogs Cats Dogs Dwarf Hamsters

See all species for Cephalexin See all drugs for Domestic Pigeons

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 domestic pigeons — 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.