Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg
Cephalexin is dosed at 15 mg/kg SC q12h in rabbits, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Rabbits.a). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — located 2026-08-05 in Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Rabbits.a); the earlier note claiming no held source contained this figure was wrong and has been removed. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Cephalexin is used in rabbits for Skin infections. Routes documented in rabbits: SC. A typical adult rabbit weighs 1.00–5.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cephalexin in rabbits, 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 | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 15 mg/kg | q12h | 7-14 days | Skin infections | Extrapolated | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Rabbits.a). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — located 2026-08-05 in Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Rabbits.a); the earlier note claiming no held source contained this figure was wrong and has been removed. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | SC | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 10.1 | 15 mg/kg SC q12h 2 g/20 g methylmethacrylate;18 see www.kerrier.com for a calcium sulfate alternative to PMMAb |
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.
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your rabbit'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 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 rabbits may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Cephalexin dose range in rabbits, with cited source references: SC 15 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Cephalexin in rabbits: SC.
Cited course lengths for Cephalexin in rabbits include: 7-14 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Cephalexin is indicated in rabbits for: Skin infections.
These are general warnings for Cephalexin across species; consult the rabbit 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 rabbits — 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.