Cephradine for African Grey Parrots

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

Cephradine is dosed at 35–50 mg/kg PO q4-6h in african grey parrots, per 767. Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ. Formulary. In: Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ, Harrison LR, eds. Avian Medicine: Principles and Application; Wingers Publishing, Lake Worth, FL; 1994:457-478. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.409 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Cephradine is used in african grey parrots for Bacterial infection; deep pyoderma. Routes documented in african grey parrots: PO. A typical adult african grey parrot weighs 0.40–0.65 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cephradine in african grey parrots, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

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.
Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillas

Chinchillas 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	35–50 mg/kg	q4-6h	Bacterial infection; deep pyoderma	Moderate	767. Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ. Formulary. In: Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ, Harrison LR, eds. Avian Medicine: Principles and Application; Wingers Publishing, Lake Worth, FL; 1994:457-478. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.409 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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These ranges are per kg. Enter your african grey parrot's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.

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Side effects & warnings

Added 2026-08-04 by the book-verification programme. Drug identity independently confirmed as distinct from every existing formulary entry. Source opened: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th Ed (book 'carpenter') p.409 avian antimicrobial table; corroborated Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (book 'papich') p.146. Class as printed in source: First-generation cephalosporin antibacterial

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 Cephradine for African Grey Parrots?

Cephradine dose range in african grey parrots, with cited source references: PO 35–50 mg/kg q4-6h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Cephradine administered in African Grey Parrots?

Documented routes for Cephradine in african grey parrots: PO.

What conditions does Cephradine treat in African Grey Parrots?

Cephradine is indicated in african grey parrots for: Bacterial infection; deep pyoderma.

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

These are general warnings for Cephradine across species; consult the african grey parrot dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Added 2026-08-04 by the book-verification programme. Drug identity independently confirmed as distinct from every existing formulary entry. Source opened: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th Ed (book 'carpenter') p.409 avian antimicrobial table; corroborated Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (book 'papich') p.146. Class as printed in source: First-generation cephalosporin antibacterial

Why a species-specific page? Cephradine 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.

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.