Bird · Ara ararauna · typical adult weight 0.90–1.30 kg
Diphenhydramine is dosed at 2 mg/kg IM, PO q12h in blue-and-gold macaws, per Starkey SR, Morrisey JK, Hickam JD, et al. Extrapyramidal side effects in a blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) treated with haloperidol and clomipramine. J Avian Med Surg. 2008;22:234-239. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.472 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1647/2007-037.1. Diphenhydramine is used in blue-and-gold macaws for Treatment of extrapyramidal side effects of a haloperidol/clomipramine combination. Routes documented in blue-and-gold macaws: IM, PO. A typical adult blue-and-gold macaw weighs 0.90–1.30 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Diphenhydramine in blue-and-gold macaws, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Benadryl
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM, PO | 2 mg/kg | q12h | Treatment of extrapyramidal side effects of a haloperidol/clomipramine combination | Moderate | Starkey SR, Morrisey JK, Hickam JD, et al. Extrapyramidal side effects in a blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) treated with haloperidol and clomipramine. J Avian Med Surg. 2008;22:234-239. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.472 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1647/2007-037.1 |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your blue-and-gold macaw's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Competitive antagonist at histamine H1 receptors. Also has anticholinergic, anti-motion sickness, and mild sedative properties.
Sedation common (first-generation). Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, urinary retention). Ensure product does not contain xylitol or pseudoephedrine. Dogs and cats. Less effective than second-gen antihistamines for pruritus.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for blue-and-gold macaws may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Diphenhydramine dose range in blue-and-gold macaws, with cited source references: IM, PO 2 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Diphenhydramine in blue-and-gold macaws: IM, PO.
Diphenhydramine is indicated in blue-and-gold macaws for: Treatment of extrapyramidal side effects of a haloperidol/clomipramine combination.
These are general warnings for Diphenhydramine across species; consult the blue-and-gold macaw dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Sedation common (first-generation). Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, urinary retention). Ensure product does not contain xylitol or pseudoephedrine. Dogs and cats. Less effective than second-gen antihistamines for pruritus.
Why a species-specific page? Diphenhydramine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in blue-and-gold macaws — 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.