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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.408 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712. 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
| 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.408 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| 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.
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Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to PBPs. First-generation cephalosporin with good gram-positive coverage.
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.
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.
Documented routes for Cephalexin in lovebirds: PO, IM.
Cephalexin is indicated in lovebirds for: Bacterial infection (first-generation cephalosporin).
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.
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.