Bird · Taeniopygia guttata · typical adult weight 0.01–0.02 kg
Lorazepam is dosed at 0.3 mg/kg intranasal single dose; sedation assessed at 20 minutes in zebra finches, per Khelik I, Kanda I, Grindstaff JL, Brandão J. Effective Dose 50 of Intranasal Lorazepam for Clinical Sedation in Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata). J Avian Med Surg. 2026;40(1):32-38. doi:10.1647/avianms-d-24-00060 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41926276. Lorazepam is used in zebra finches for Sedation for handling and minor procedures. Routes documented in zebra finches: intranasal. A typical adult zebra finch weighs 0.01–0.02 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Lorazepam in zebra finches, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ativan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| intranasal | 0.3 mg/kg | single dose; sedation assessed at 20 minutes | Sedation for handling and minor procedures | Strong | Khelik I, Kanda I, Grindstaff JL, Brandão J. Effective Dose 50 of Intranasal Lorazepam for Clinical Sedation in Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata). J Avian Med Surg. 2026;40(1):32-38. doi:10.1647/avianms-d-24-00060 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41926276 |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your zebra finch's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Intermediate-acting benzodiazepine enhancing GABA-A receptor function. Glucuronide conjugation (no active metabolites).
DEA Schedule IV. Useful in hepatic disease (glucuronidation, not oxidation). Status epilepticus treatment. Cats: may cause hepatic necrosis (rare). Sedation, ataxia.
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.
Lorazepam dose range in zebra finches, with cited source references: intranasal 0.3 mg/kg single dose; sedation assessed at 20 minutes. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Lorazepam in zebra finches: intranasal.
Lorazepam is indicated in zebra finches for: Sedation for handling and minor procedures.
These are general warnings for Lorazepam across species; consult the zebra finch dosing table above for species-specific guidance. DEA Schedule IV. Useful in hepatic disease (glucuronidation, not oxidation). Status epilepticus treatment. Cats: may cause hepatic necrosis (rare). Sedation, ataxia.
Why a species-specific page? Lorazepam 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.