Which species have cited Erythromycin dosing data?

Erythromycin dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 4 species: Cat (Domestic), Cattle (Beef/Dairy), Dog (Domestic), Horse (Equine).

Is Erythromycin a controlled substance?

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

Erythromycin

US brand names:Erythro-100, Gallimycin

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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.

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Erythromycin is dosed at 10–20 mg/kg PO q8h in dogs, per Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.502 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antibiotic

Routes

POIM

Indications

Prokinetic (GI motility enhancement)Respiratory infectionRhodococcus equi in foals (with rifampin)Rhodococcus equi pneumonia (foals)Susceptible bacterial infections

Mechanism of Action

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

Side effects & warnings

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

Evidence levels across 6 dose rules

Strong×3Moderate×3

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 5 published sources

· 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).
· 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).
· 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 Veterinary Drug Handbook
· Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.502 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 6 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 4 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).
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).

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Other formulations of Erythromycin

Erythromycin Ophthalmic