Cloxacillin for African Grey Parrots

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

Cloxacillin is dosed at 100–250 mg/kg PO, IM q24h in african grey parrots, 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.411 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Cloxacillin is used in african grey parrots for Beta-lactamase-resistant penicillin; staphylococcal infection. Routes documented in african grey parrots: PO, IM. A typical adult african grey parrot weighs 0.40–0.65 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cloxacillin in african grey parrots, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Orbenin, Dry-Clox

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	100–250 mg/kg	q24h	Beta-lactamase-resistant penicillin; staphylococcal infection	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.411 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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Mechanism of action

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to PBPs. Resistant to staphylococcal penicillinase, providing targeted activity against penicillinase-producing Staphylococcus spp.

Side effects & warnings

Cross-allergenicity with other beta-lactams. GI upset common with oral administration. Primarily used for staphylococcal mastitis in cattle.

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 Cloxacillin for African Grey Parrots?

Cloxacillin dose range in african grey parrots, with cited source references: PO, IM 100–250 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Cloxacillin administered in African Grey Parrots?

Documented routes for Cloxacillin in african grey parrots: PO, IM.

What conditions does Cloxacillin treat in African Grey Parrots?

Cloxacillin is indicated in african grey parrots for: Beta-lactamase-resistant penicillin; staphylococcal infection.

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

These are general warnings for Cloxacillin across species; consult the african grey parrot dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Cross-allergenicity with other beta-lactams. GI upset common with oral administration. Primarily used for staphylococcal mastitis in cattle.

Other Antibiotic drugs with african grey parrot dosing

Amikacin Amoxicillin Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Ampicillin Azithromycin Cefadroxil Cefazolin Cefotaxime Cefoxitin Ceftazidime Ceftriaxone Cephalexin

Cloxacillin dosing in other species

Cats Dogs Ferrets

See all species for Cloxacillin See all drugs for African Grey Parrots

Why a species-specific page? Cloxacillin 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.