Lincomycin for Ferrets

Pocket Pet · Mustela putorius furo · typical adult weight 0.60–2.00 kg

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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.932 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). 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.

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	11 mg/kg	q8h	Bacterial infection (general)	Weak	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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.932 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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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 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.

Other Antibiotic drugs with ferret dosing

Amoxicillin Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Ampicillin Azithromycin Cefadroxil Cefovecin Cephalexin Chloramphenicol Ciprofloxacin Clarithromycin Clindamycin Cloxacillin

Lincomycin dosing in other species

Sugar Gliders African Grey Parrots Canaries Dogs Lovebirds Zebra Finches

See all species for Lincomycin See all drugs for Ferrets

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.