What is Clindamycin used for?

Clindamycin is indicated for: bone infections, Dental infections, osteomyelitis, skin, Susceptible infections, Toxoplasmosis.

Which species have cited Clindamycin dosing data?

Clindamycin dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 5 species: African Grey Parrot, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Russian Tortoise, Sugar Glider.

Is Clindamycin a controlled substance?

Clindamycin is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What are the warnings or contraindications for Clindamycin?

CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and chinchillas (fatal dysbiosis). Good bone penetration. May cause GI upset, esophagitis in cats.

What are the side effects of Clindamycin?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Clindamycin: CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and chinchillas (fatal dysbiosis). Good bone penetration. May cause GI upset, esophagitis in cats.

How does Clindamycin work?

Binds 50S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Bacteriostatic; bactericidal at high concentrations.

Clindamycin

US brand names:Antirobe, Cleocin

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Contraindicated in Rabbit, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu, Guinea Pig

Rabbit: Oral lincosamides cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsSame mechanism as oral beta-lactams — selective destruction of gram-positive hindgut flora. Never administer oral clindamycin or lincomycin to rabbits.
Chinchilla: Oral lincosamides cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasClindamycin and lincomycin destroy gram-positive hindgut flora and precipitate fatal Clostridium enterotoxemia in chinchillas. Never administer.
Hamster: Oral lincosamides cause fatal enterocolitis in hamstersClindamycin and lincomycin are among the antibiotics that induce fatal Clostridium difficile enterocolitis in hamsters. Never administer.
Degu: Oral lincosamides risk fatal dysbiosis in degusExtrapolated from chinchillas and guinea pigs (shared caviomorph hindgut physiology): oral clindamycin/lincomycin should be treated as contraindicated in degus.

Clindamycin is dosed at 5 mg/kg PO q 12 h in russian tortoises, per Merck Veterinary Manual. Antimicrobial Drugs Used in Reptiles (dosing table). Rahway (NJ): Merck & Co.; accessed 2026. URL: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/antimicrobial-drugs-used-in-reptiles. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Backed by 5 published sources

· ANTIROBE - Clindamycin Hydrochloride Capsules and Oral Solution [US Product Label for Dogs and Cats]. Zoetis Inc.; 2017. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a2224602-6f04-4b83-968a-8c193230998f — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.311 (2026-08-01).
· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
· Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. Part B: Exotic Pets, 10th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary [Association]; Bodley K. Appendix 4. Drug Formulary. In: Vogelnest L, Portas T, eds. Current Therapy in Medicine of Australian Mammals; CSIRO Publishing, Clayton South, Vic; 2019:702-727. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.703 (2026-08-01).
· Merck Veterinary Manual. Antimicrobial Drugs Used in Reptiles (dosing table). Rahway (NJ): Merck & Co.; accessed 2026. URL: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/antimicrobial-drugs-used-in-reptiles
· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 6 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 5 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	PO	5.5–11 mg/kg	q12h	Strong	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Dog (Domestic)	PO	5.5–11 mg/kg	q12h	Strong	ANTIROBE - Clindamycin Hydrochloride Capsules and Oral Solution [US Product Label for Dogs and Cats]. Zoetis Inc.; 2017. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a2224602-6f04-4b83-968a-8c193230998f — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.311 (2026-08-01).

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Clindamycin

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Clindamycin dosing data (6 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 6 dose rules

Backed by 5 published sources

Sample dosing (2 of 6 cited rules)

Upgrade for Full Details

Clindamycin

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Clindamycin dosing data (6 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 6 dose rules

Backed by 5 published sources

Sample dosing (2 of 6 cited rules)

Upgrade for Full Details

Articles mentioning Clindamycin

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