Pocket Pet · Mustela putorius furo · typical adult weight 0.60–2.00 kg
Contraindicated in Mouse, Pet Rat, Gerbil, Prairie Dog, Horse (Equine), Cattle / Sheep / Goat, Rabbit, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu, Guinea Pig
Mouse: Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in MousePlumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
Pet Rat: Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in Pet RatPlumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
Gerbil: Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in GerbilPlumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
Prairie Dog: Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in Prairie DogPlumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
Horse (Equine): Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in Horse (Equine)Plumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
Cattle / Sheep / Goat: Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in Cattle / Sheep / GoatPlumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
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.
Lincomycin is dosed at 11 mg/kg PO q8h in ferrets, per Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.932 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Ferrets). Lincomycin is used in ferrets for Bacterial infection (general). Routes documented in ferrets: PO. A typical adult ferret weighs 0.60–2.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Lincomycin in ferrets, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.932 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Ferrets).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
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 mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)
Route
Source
As printed
11
PO
BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.183
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
If provided, volume will be calculated alongside dose.
Reference only. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
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 ferrets 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 Ferrets?
Lincomycin dose range in ferrets, with cited source references: PO 11 mg/kg q8h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
How is Lincomycin administered in Ferrets?
Documented routes for Lincomycin in ferrets: PO.
What conditions does Lincomycin treat in Ferrets?
Lincomycin is indicated in ferrets for: Bacterial infection (general).
What are the side effects of Lincomycin in Ferrets?
These are general warnings for Lincomycin across species; consult the ferret dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). GI upset. Pseudomembranous colitis risk. Give on empty stomach.
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 ferrets — 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.
Lincomycin for Ferrets — Dose, Routes, Citations | ExoticRx