Erythromycin for Lovebirds

Bird · Agapornis roseicollis · typical adult weight 0.04–0.06 kg

Erythromycin is dosed at 10–20 mg/kg PO q12h in lovebirds, per 802. Samour J. Pharmaceutics commonly used in avian medicine. In: Samour J, eds. Avian Medicine; Mosby, Philadelphia, PA; 2000:388-418. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.415 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1016/b978-0-7234-3832-8.00023-7. Erythromycin is used in lovebirds for Bacterial infection (macrolide; gram-positive aerobes/anaerobes, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma). Routes documented in lovebirds: PO. A typical adult lovebird weighs 0.04–0.06 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Erythromycin in lovebirds, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Erythro-100, Gallimycin

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.

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	10–20 mg/kg	q12h	Bacterial infection (macrolide; gram-positive aerobes/anaerobes, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma)	Moderate	802. Samour J. Pharmaceutics commonly used in avian medicine. In: Samour J, eds. Avian Medicine; Mosby, Philadelphia, PA; 2000:388-418. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.415 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1016/b978-0-7234-3832-8.00023-7

Report an error in this entry

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.

Calculate for this lovebird →

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.

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 Erythromycin for Lovebirds?

Erythromycin dose range in lovebirds, with cited source references: PO 10–20 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Erythromycin administered in Lovebirds?

Documented routes for Erythromycin in lovebirds: PO.

What conditions does Erythromycin treat in Lovebirds?

Erythromycin is indicated in lovebirds for: Bacterial infection (macrolide; gram-positive aerobes/anaerobes, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma).

What are the side effects of Erythromycin in Lovebirds?

These are general warnings for Erythromycin across species; consult the lovebird dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits and hindgut fermenters. Prokinetic at sub-antimicrobial doses. GI upset common. Hepatotoxicity reported. Strong CYP inhibitor.

Other Antibiotic drugs with lovebird dosing

Amoxicillin Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Ampicillin Cefotaxime Cefoxitin Cephalexin Ciprofloxacin Clindamycin Doxycycline Enrofloxacin Lincomycin Metronidazole

Erythromycin dosing in other species

African Grey Parrots Domestic Pigeons Zebra Finches African Pygmy Hedgehogs Cats Cattle Chickens Dogs

See all species for Erythromycin See all drugs for Lovebirds

Why a species-specific page? Erythromycin 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.