Bird · Agapornis roseicollis · typical adult weight 0.04–0.06 kg
Hydroxyzine is dosed at 2–2.2 mg/kg PO q8h in lovebirds, 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.473 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Hydroxyzine is used in lovebirds for Feather picking / pruritus (antihistamine with mild sedative effect). Routes documented in lovebirds: PO. A typical adult lovebird weighs 0.04–0.06 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Hydroxyzine in lovebirds, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Atarax, Vistaril
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 2–2.2 mg/kg | q8h | Feather picking / pruritus (antihistamine with mild sedative effect) | Weak | 504. Krinsley M. IME-use of DermCaps Liquid and hydroxyzine HCl for the treatment of feather picking. J Assoc Avian Vet. 1993;7:221. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.473 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for lovebirds may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Hydroxyzine dose range in lovebirds, with cited source references: PO 2–2.2 mg/kg q8h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Hydroxyzine in lovebirds: PO.
Hydroxyzine is indicated in lovebirds for: Feather picking / pruritus (antihistamine with mild sedative effect).
These are general warnings for Hydroxyzine across species; consult the lovebird dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Sedation common. Anticholinergic effects. Used for pruritus and anxiety. IM injection painful — avoid. Metabolized to cetirizine which is also used clinically.
Why a species-specific page? Hydroxyzine 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.