Lincomycin for Canaries

Bird · Serinus canaria domestica · typical adult weight 0.01–0.03 kg

Lincomycin is dosed at 35–50 mg/kg PO q12-24h in canaries, per Dorrestein GM. Passerine and softbill therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:35-57. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.416 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30094-4. Lincomycin is used in canaries for Anaerobic bacterial infection; osteomyelitis/pododermatitis. Routes documented in canaries: PO. A typical adult canary weighs 0.01–0.03 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Lincomycin in canaries, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Lincocin

Contraindicated in Rabbit, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu, Guinea Pig

Rabbit: Oral lincosamides cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsSame mechanism as oral beta-lactams — selective destruction of gram-positive hindgut flora. Never administer oral clindamycin or lincomycin to rabbits.
Chinchilla: Oral lincosamides cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasClindamycin and lincomycin destroy gram-positive hindgut flora and precipitate fatal Clostridium enterotoxemia in chinchillas. Never administer.
Hamster: Oral lincosamides cause fatal enterocolitis in hamstersClindamycin and lincomycin are among the antibiotics that induce fatal Clostridium difficile enterocolitis in hamsters. Never administer.
Degu: Oral lincosamides risk fatal dysbiosis in degusExtrapolated from chinchillas and guinea pigs (shared caviomorph hindgut physiology): oral clindamycin/lincomycin should be treated as contraindicated in degus.
Guinea Pig: Oral lincosamides cause fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsClindamycin and lincomycin cause the same fatal Clostridium enterotoxemia in guinea pigs as oral beta-lactams. Never administer.

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	35–50 mg/kg	q12-24h	Anaerobic bacterial infection; osteomyelitis/pododermatitis	Moderate	Dorrestein GM. Passerine and softbill therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:35-57. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.416 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30094-4

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Mechanism of action

Binds 50S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Activity against gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria.

Side effects & warnings

CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). GI upset. Pseudomembranous colitis risk. Give on empty stomach.

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Lincomycin for Canaries?

Lincomycin dose range in canaries, with cited source references: PO 35–50 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Lincomycin administered in Canaries?

Documented routes for Lincomycin in canaries: PO.

What conditions does Lincomycin treat in Canaries?

Lincomycin is indicated in canaries for: Anaerobic bacterial infection; osteomyelitis/pododermatitis.

What are the side effects of Lincomycin in Canaries?

These are general warnings for Lincomycin across species; consult the canary dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). GI upset. Pseudomembranous colitis risk. Give on empty stomach.

Other Antibiotic drugs with canary dosing

Amikacin Cephalothin Chloramphenicol Ciprofloxacin Clarithromycin Furazolidone Gentamicin Oleandomycin Tetracycline Ticarcillin Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim/sulfatroxazole

Lincomycin dosing in other species

African Grey Parrots Lovebirds Zebra Finches Dogs Ferrets Sugar Gliders

See all species for Lincomycin See all drugs for Canaries

Why a species-specific page? Lincomycin 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.