Cephalexin for Lovebirds

Bird · Agapornis roseicollis · typical adult weight 0.04–0.06 kg

Cephalexin is dosed at 40–100 mg/kg PO, IM q6-8h in lovebirds, 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.408 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Cephalexin is used in lovebirds for Bacterial infection (first-generation cephalosporin). Routes documented in lovebirds: PO, IM. A typical adult lovebird weighs 0.04–0.06 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cephalexin in lovebirds, 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, IM	40–100 mg/kg	q6-8h	Bacterial infection (first-generation cephalosporin)	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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.408 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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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 lovebirds 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 Lovebirds?

Cephalexin dose range in lovebirds, 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 Lovebirds?

Documented routes for Cephalexin in lovebirds: PO, IM.

What conditions does Cephalexin treat in Lovebirds?

Cephalexin is indicated in lovebirds for: Bacterial infection (first-generation cephalosporin).

What are the side effects of Cephalexin in Lovebirds?

These are general warnings for Cephalexin across species; consult the lovebird 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 lovebird dosing

Amoxicillin Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Ampicillin Cefotaxime Cefoxitin Ciprofloxacin Clindamycin Doxycycline Enrofloxacin Erythromycin Lincomycin Metronidazole

Cephalexin dosing in other species

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

See all species for Cephalexin See all drugs for Lovebirds

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 lovebirds — 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.