Bird · Serinus canaria domestica · typical adult weight 0.01–0.03 kg
Ketoconazole is dosed at 200 mg/L drinking water or nectar PO (drinking water) continuous in water/nectar/feed x 7-14 days in canaries, per Bauck L, Brash M. Survey of diseases of the Lady Gouldian finch. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1999:204-212. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.427 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Ketoconazole is used in canaries for Fungal infection (candidiasis / systemic mycoses). Routes documented in canaries: PO (drinking water). A typical adult canary weighs 0.01–0.03 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ketoconazole in canaries, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Nizoral
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO (drinking water) | 200 mg/L drinking water or nectar | continuous in water/nectar/feed x 7-14 days | x7-14 days (printed on the row). | Fungal infection (candidiasis / systemic mycoses) | Moderate | Bauck L, Brash M. Survey of diseases of the Lady Gouldian finch. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1999:204-212. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.427 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
Enter your canary's weight to check these cited ranges in the calculator — unit and concentration math done for you.
Inhibits lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase (CYP51), blocking ergosterol synthesis in fungal membranes. At high doses, inhibits adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis.
Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes. Strong CYP inhibitor (many drug interactions). Requires gastric acid for absorption (do not give with antacids). Also used for Cushing's disease (adrenal steroidogenesis inhibition).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for canaries may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketoconazole dose range in canaries, with cited source references: PO (drinking water) 200 mg/L drinking water or nectar continuous in water/nectar/feed x 7-14 days. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketoconazole in canaries: PO (drinking water).
Cited course lengths for Ketoconazole in canaries include: x7-14 days (printed on the row).. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ketoconazole is indicated in canaries for: Fungal infection (candidiasis / systemic mycoses).
These are general warnings for Ketoconazole across species; consult the canary dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes. Strong CYP inhibitor (many drug interactions). Requires gastric acid for absorption (do not give with antacids). Also used for Cushing's disease (adrenal steroidogenesis inhibition).
Why a species-specific page? Ketoconazole pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in canaries — 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.