ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/hydroxyzine
US brand names:Atarax, Vistaril
Hydroxyzine is dosed at 2–2.2 mg/kg PO q8h in african grey parrots, per 504. Krinsley M. IME-use of DermCaps Liquid and hydroxyzine HCl for the treatment of feather picking. J Assoc Avian Vet. 1993;7:221. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.473 doi:10.2307/27671101 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.10 (Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Agents Used in Birds.a,b). 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. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
H1 antihistamine with anxiolytic and antipruritic properties. Metabolized to cetirizine (active metabolite). Crosses blood-brain barrier.
Sedation common. Anticholinergic effects. Used for pruritus and anxiety. IM injection painful — avoid. Metabolized to cetirizine which is also used clinically.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Lovebird drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs
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| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 1–2 mg/kg | q8-12h | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.629, Hydroxyzine monograph spanning p.629-631; 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 |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 1–2 mg/kg | q12h | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.658 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.629, Hydroxyzine monograph spanning p.629-631; 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, |
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