Which species have cited Erythromycin dosing data?

Erythromycin dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 18 species: African Grey Parrot, African Pygmy Hedgehog, Betta (Siamese fighting fish), Canary, Cat (Domestic), Cattle (Beef/Dairy), Chicken (Poultry), Dog (Domestic), Domestic Pigeon, Ferret, Goldfish, Horse (Equine), Koi, Lovebird, Mouse, Pet Rat, Turkey, Zebra Finch.

Is Erythromycin a controlled substance?

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

What are the warnings or contraindications for Erythromycin?

CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits and hindgut fermenters. Prokinetic at sub-antimicrobial doses. GI upset common. Hepatotoxicity reported. Strong CYP inhibitor.

What are the side effects of Erythromycin?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Erythromycin: CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits and hindgut fermenters. Prokinetic at sub-antimicrobial doses. GI upset common. Hepatotoxicity reported. Strong CYP inhibitor.

How does Erythromycin work?

Binds 50S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting translocation of peptidyl-tRNA, blocking bacterial protein synthesis.

Erythromycin

US brand names:Erythro-100, Gallimycin

Calculate dosage

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

Chinchilla: Oral erythromycin causes fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasOral erythromycin is among the antibiotics classically associated with fatal enterotoxemia in chinchillas. Avoid.
Guinea Pig: Oral erythromycin causes fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsOral erythromycin is one of the antibiotics classically fatal to guinea pigs via Clostridium enterotoxemia. Avoid.
Rabbit: Oral erythromycin causes fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsOral erythromycin disrupts the rabbit hindgut flora and can precipitate fatal enterotoxemia, the same mechanism as oral beta-lactams and lincosamides. (Azithromycin is used with relative safety and is not flagged here.)
Hamster: Oral erythromycin causes fatal enterocolitis in hamstersHamsters are exquisitely sensitive to antibiotic-associated enterocolitis; oral erythromycin, like oral beta-lactams and lincosamides, can precipitate fatal Clostridium enterotoxemia. Avoid.

Degu: Oral erythromycin risks fatal dysbiosis in degusDegus are hindgut fermenters; oral erythromycin disrupts the gram-positive gut flora and can precipitate fatal enterotoxemia, the same mechanism as the oral beta-lactams and lincosamides already contraindicated in this species. Degu-specific data is limited, so this warning is extrapolated from the related hystricomorphs, as the other two degu contraindications are.

Erythromycin is dosed at 10–20 mg/kg PO q12h in african grey parrots, per 802. Samour J. Pharmaceutics commonly used in avian medicine. In: Samour J, ed. Avian Medicine. Mosby, Philadelphia, PA -- 2000:388-418. Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds). The held copy is an ebook conversion with no printed pagination, so the TABLE, not a page, is the citable location. SOURCE EDITION: Avian Medicine (Samour), 1st ed., Mosby, 2000 -- ISBN 9780723429609, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780723429609. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Indications

Bacterial infection (aviary/flock treatment)Bacterial infection (general)Bacterial infection (gram-positive; Mycoplasma, Chlamydia)Bacterial infection (macrolide)BordetellaChlamydiaChlamydia infectionChronic respiratory diseaseGram-positiveGram-positive bacterial infectioninfectious coryzainfectious coryza (chickens)MycoplasmaMycoplasmosisPasteurellaPenicillin-resistant gram-positive cocciProkinetic (GI motility enhancement)Respiratory infectionRhodococcus equi in foals (with rifampin)Rhodococcus equi pneumonia (foals)

Backed by 19 published sources

· 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.772 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929
· 207. De Herdt P, Devriese LA, De Groote B, et al. Antibiotic treatment of Streptococcus bovis infections in pigeons. Proc Eur Conf Avian Med Surg; 1993:297-304. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.415 doi:10.1080/03079459308418947 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929,

Sample dosing (2 of 25 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 18 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
Dog (Domestic)	PO	10–20 mg/kg	q8h	Strong	Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.502 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.475, Erythromycin monograph spanning p.473-476; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207
Dog (Domestic)	PO	0.5–1 mg/kg	q8h	Moderate	Hall JA, Washabau RJ. Gastric prokinetic agents. In: Bonagura JD, ed. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy: XIII Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders; 2000:609-617. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.502 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.475, Erythromycin monograph spanning p.473-476; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207,

· 240. Dorrestein GM. Antimicrobial drug use in companion birds. In: PrescottJF, Baggot JD, Walker RD, eds. Antimicrobial Therapy in Veterinary Medicine, 3rd ed., Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA; 2000:617-636. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.415 doi:10.1002/9781118675014.ch35 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

· 29. Isenbügel E, Baumgartner R. Diseases of the hedgehog. In: Fowler M, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current Therapy, 3rd ed., WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1993:294-302. | 33. Johnson-Delaney C. Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook for Veterinarians, Zoological Education Network, Lake Worth, FL; 2008. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.733 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Hedgehogs). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current Therapy — ISBN 9780323828529, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323828529

· 5. Greenacre, C.B., Luna, G.L., and Morishita, T.M. (2018). Backyard poultry and waterfowl. In: Exotic Animal Formulary, 5e (ed. J.W. Carpenter), 377-432. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier. — Source: Greenacre & Morishita, Backyard Poultry Medicine and Surgery, 2nd Ed, p.588 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Backyard Poultry Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781119511755, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781119511755

· 802. Samour J. Pharmaceutics commonly used in avian medicine. In: Samour J, ed. Avian Medicine. Mosby, Philadelphia, PA -- 2000:388-418. Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds). The held copy is an ebook conversion with no printed pagination, so the TABLE, not a page, is the citable location. SOURCE EDITION: Avian Medicine (Samour), 1st ed., Mosby, 2000 -- ISBN 9780723429609, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780723429609

· 802. Samour J. Pharmaceutics commonly used in avian medicine. In: Samour J, eds. Avian Medicine; Mosby, Philadelphia, PA; 2000:388-418. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.415 doi:10.1016/b978-0-7234-3832-8.00023-7 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Avian Medicine (Samour) — ISBN 9780723438328, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780723438328

· Besch-Williford CL. Biology and medicine of the ferret. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1987;17:1155-1183. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.932 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Ferrets). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

· Dorrestein GM. Infectious diseases and their therapy in Passeriformes Antimicrobial Therapy in Caged Birds and Exotic Pets, Veterinary Learning Systems, Trenton, NJ; 1995:11-27. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.415 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

· Gallimycin-100 Injection [product label]. LettSueur, MN: Bimeda-MTC Animal Health. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.503 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.473, Erythromycin monograph spanning p.473-476; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — 21 CFR § 522.820 (Erythromycin), conditions of use for Cattle: 8.8185-8.8185 mg/kg (the regulation prints this per pound; converted at 2.2046226 lb/kg). Related tolerances: 21 CFR § 556.230. Retrieved from the eCFR API, snapshot 2026-01-01. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-522.820 — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· Greenacre, C.B., Luna, G.L., and Morishita, T.M. (2018). Backyard poultry and waterfowl. In: Exotic Animal Formulary, 5e (ed. J.W. Carpenter), 377-432. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier. — Source: Greenacre & Morishita, Backyard Poultry Medicine and Surgery, 2nd Ed, p.588 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Backyard Poultry Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781119511755, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781119511755

· Hall JA, Washabau RJ. Gastric prokinetic agents. In: Bonagura JD, ed. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy: XIII Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders; 2000:609-617. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.502 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.475, Erythromycin monograph spanning p.473-476; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.415 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712

· Lavoie J-P, Drolet R. Proliferative enteropathy in foals. 2003 PMID: 35074397 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.503 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.476, Erythromycin monograph spanning p.473-476; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 | ORIGINAL SOURCE THE BOOK CITES (2026-08-20): the dose row carries superscript 17 — "25 mg/kg PO once daily17 Chemistry/Synony" — which resolves in the monograph's own reference list to: Albarellos GA, Montoya L, Landoni MF. Pharmacokinetics of erythromycin after intravenous, intramuscular and oral administration to cats. Veterinary Journal. 2011;187(1):129-132. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.09.019 This records what the handbook attributes the figure to. It is NOT a statement that the reference was read or that it validates the dose.

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.473, Erythromycin monograph spanning p.473-476; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.137. — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.137' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.123; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.123. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712

· Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.502 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.473, Erythromycin monograph spanning p.473-476; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.502 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.475, Erythromycin monograph spanning p.473-476; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· Visser C, Wijnbergen A, Bleich A. Maeuse und ratten. In: Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P, eds. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.772 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

Erythromycin

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Erythromycin dosing data (25 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 25 dose rules

Backed by 19 published sources

Sample dosing (2 of 25 cited rules)

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Other formulations of Erythromycin

Erythromycin

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Erythromycin dosing data (25 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 25 dose rules

Backed by 19 published sources

Sample dosing (2 of 25 cited rules)

Upgrade for Full Details

Other formulations of Erythromycin

Articles mentioning Erythromycin

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