Ivermectin for Zebra Finches

Bird · Taeniopygia guttata · typical adult weight 0.01–0.02 kg

Ivermectin is dosed at 0.2 mg/kg topical on skin can repeat 1-2 wk for 3-4 applications in zebra finches, per 244. Dorrestein GM, van Der Horst HH.A, Cremers HJ.W.M, et al. Quill mite (Dermoglyphus passerinus) infestation of canaries (Serinus canaria): diagnosis and | 861. Siddalls M, Currier TA, Pang J, et al. Infestation of research zebra finch colony with 2 novel mite species. Comp Med. 2015;65:51-53. | 203. Davies RR. Passerine birds: going light. In: Chitty J, Lierz M, eds. BSAVA Manual of Raptors, Pigeons and Passerine Birds; British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2008:365-369. | 159. Formulary. In: Chitty J, Lierz M, eds. BSAVA Manual of Raptors, Pigeons and Passerine Birds; British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2008:384-390. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.435 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds). 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 A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 — RETRIEVED FINDING - CHANGE REQUIRED (retrieved 2026-08-19): parenteral ivermectin may be toxic to finches and budgerigars;391 — Carpenter's 6th ed, Table 5.4, corpus p.435 (same page as the row) + ref 861 = Siddalls 2015: "topical ivermectin (200 µg/kg in propylene glycol applied to the skin under a wing)" … "2 biweekly applications" … "there has been no evidence of ivermectin toxicity" — Comp Med 2015;65:51-53, PMC4396929 — ROUTE NARROWED 2026-08-19: SC removed. Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, corpus p.435, Ivermectin monograph header — "dilute with propylene glycol for extended use; parenteral ivermectin may be toxic to finches and […]". A zebra finch is a finch and SC is a parenteral route. The dose is unchanged.. Ivermectin is used in zebra finches for Quill mites, Knemidokoptes; also the tracheal mite Ptilonyssus morofskyi. Routes documented in zebra finches: topical on skin. A typical adult zebra finch weighs 0.01–0.02 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ivermectin in zebra finches, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Ivomec, Heartgard

Contraindicated in Tortoise / Turtle

Tortoise / Turtle: Ivermectin causes fatal toxicosis in chelonians at doses other reptiles tolerateChelonians are far more sensitive than lizards and snakes: doses routine elsewhere in reptile practice have produced paralysis and death in turtles and tortoises. Do not use ivermectin in chelonians; use fenbendazole or another alternative. (The cited study did find 0.05 mg/kg IM tolerated in red-footed tortoises when not repeated inside 7 days, so the hazard is dose- and interval-dependent rather than absolute — but that margin is far too narrow to work to in a clinical setting.)

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
topical on skin	0.2 mg/kg	can repeat 1-2 wk for 3-4 applications	Quill mites, Knemidokoptes; also the tracheal mite Ptilonyssus morofskyi	Weak	244. Dorrestein GM, van Der Horst HH.A, Cremers HJ.W.M, et al. Quill mite (Dermoglyphus passerinus) infestation of canaries (Serinus canaria): diagnosis and \| 861. Siddalls M, Currier TA, Pang J, et al. Infestation of research zebra finch colony with 2 novel mite species. Comp Med. 2015;65:51-53. \| 203. Davies RR. Passerine birds: going light. In: Chitty J, Lierz M, eds. BSAVA Manual of Raptors, Pigeons and Passerine Birds; British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2008:365-369. \| 159. Formulary. In: Chitty J, Lierz M, eds. BSAVA Manual of Raptors, Pigeons and Passerine Birds; British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2008:384-390. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.435 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds). 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 A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 — RETRIEVED FINDING - CHANGE REQUIRED (retrieved 2026-08-19): parenteral ivermectin may be toxic to finches and budgerigars;391 — Carpenter's 6th ed, Table 5.4, corpus p.435 (same page as the row) + ref 861 = Siddalls 2015: "topical ivermectin (200 µg/kg in propylene glycol applied to the skin under a wing)" … "2 biweekly applications" … "there has been no evidence of ivermectin toxicity" — Comp Med 2015;65:51-53, — ROUTE NARROWED 2026-08-19: SC removed. Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, corpus p.435, Ivermectin monograph header — "dilute with propylene glycol for extended use; parenteral ivermectin may be toxic to finches and […]". A zebra finch is a finch and SC is a parenteral route. The dose is unchanged.

What each reference text prints

Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.

Printed doses in mcg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mcg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
200	IM	BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.184	200 μg (micrograms)/kg i.m., s.c., p.o. q7-14d a

Printed doses in mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
0.2	PO	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.4	- 0.2 mg/kg PO, SC, IM once, Most sp can repeat in 10-14 days,159,378,442,564,663,873
0.2–0.4	PO	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.4	0.2-0.4 mg/kg PO, SC, repeat 7-14 days

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Mechanism of action

Potentiates glutamate-gated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of parasites.

Side effects & warnings

TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.

Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for zebra finches may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Ivermectin for Zebra Finches?

Ivermectin dose range in zebra finches, with cited source references: topical on skin 0.2 mg/kg can repeat 1-2 wk for 3-4 applications. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Ivermectin administered in Zebra Finches?

Documented routes for Ivermectin in zebra finches: topical on skin.

What conditions does Ivermectin treat in Zebra Finches?

Ivermectin is indicated in zebra finches for: Quill mites, Knemidokoptes; also the tracheal mite Ptilonyssus morofskyi.

What are the side effects of Ivermectin in Zebra Finches?

These are general warnings for Ivermectin across species; consult the zebra finch dosing table above for species-specific guidance. TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.

Other Antiparasitic drugs with zebra finch dosing

Amprolium Carnidazole Diclazuril Fenbendazole Niclosamide Oxfendazole Piperazine Praziquantel Toltrazuril

Ivermectin dosing in other species

African Grey Parrots Blue-and-Gold Macaws Budgerigars Canaries Domestic Pigeons Green-cheeked Conures Lovebirds Umbrella Cockatoos

See all species for Ivermectin See all drugs for Zebra Finches

Why a species-specific page? Ivermectin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in zebra finches — 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.