Doxycycline for Lovebirds
Bird · Agapornis roseicollis · typical adult weight 0.04–0.06 kg
Doxycycline is dosed at 75–100 mg/kg IM every 5 to 7 days for the first 4 weeks and subseq in lovebirds, per National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV). Compendium of Measures to Control Chlamydia psittaci Infection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis), 2017. J Avian Med Surg. 2017;31(3):262-282. PMID 28891690; DOI 10.1647/217-265. Full text (NY State Dept. of Health copy). URL: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/docs/psittacosiscompendium.pdf. Doxycycline is used in lovebirds for Avian chlamydiosis (Chlamydia psittaci infection). Routes documented in lovebirds: IM, PO. A typical adult lovebird weighs 0.04–0.06 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Doxycycline in lovebirds, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Vibramycin
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 75–100 mg/kg | every 5 to 7 days for the first 4 weeks and subseq | Avian chlamydiosis (Chlamydia psittaci infection) | Moderate | National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV). Compendium of Measures to Control Chlamydia psittaci Infection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis), 2017. J Avian Med Surg. 2017;31(3):262-282. PMID 28891690; DOI 10.1647/217-265. Full text (NY State Dept. of Health copy). URL: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/docs/psittacosiscompendium.pdf |
| PO | 25–50 mg/kg | every 24 hours | Avian chlamydiosis (Chlamydia psittaci infection) | Moderate | National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV). Compendium of Measures to Control Chlamydia psittaci Infection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis), 2017. J Avian Med Surg. 2017;31(3):262-282. PMID 28891690; DOI 10.1647/217-265. Full text (NY State Dept. of Health copy). URL: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/docs/psittacosiscompendium.pdf |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your lovebird's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Mechanism of action
Inhibits protein synthesis by binding to 30S ribosomal subunit, preventing aminoacyl-tRNA attachment.
Side effects & warnings
Can cause esophageal strictures in cats if not followed by water. Photosensitivity. Avoid in pregnant animals (tooth discoloration in fetus).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for lovebirds may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dose of Doxycycline for Lovebirds?
Doxycycline dose ranges in lovebirds, with cited source references: IM 75–100 mg/kg every 5 to 7 days for the first 4 weeks and subseq; PO 25–50 mg/kg every 24 hours.
How is Doxycycline administered in Lovebirds?
Documented routes for Doxycycline in lovebirds: IM, PO.
What conditions does Doxycycline treat in Lovebirds?
Doxycycline is indicated in lovebirds for: Avian chlamydiosis (Chlamydia psittaci infection).
What are the side effects of Doxycycline in Lovebirds?
These are general warnings for Doxycycline across species; consult the lovebird dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Can cause esophageal strictures in cats if not followed by water. Photosensitivity. Avoid in pregnant animals (tooth discoloration in fetus).
Doxycycline dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Doxycycline pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in lovebirds — 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.