Which species have cited Metronidazole dosing data?

Metronidazole dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 50 species: African Clawed Frog, African Grey Parrot, African Pygmy Hedgehog, Amazon Parrot, Axolotl, Ball Python, Bearded Dragon, Betta (Siamese fighting fish), Blue-and-Gold Macaw, Blue-tongue Skink, Canary, Cat (Domestic), Chilean Rose Tarantula, Chinchilla, Common Octopus, Corn Snake, Crested Gecko, Degu, Dog (Domestic), Domestic Pigeon, Dwarf Hamster, Eastern Box Turtle, Ferret, Fire Salamander, Gerbil, Goldfish, Great Horned Owl, Green Iguana, Green-cheeked Conure, Guinea Pig, Harris Hawk, Horse (Equine), Houston Toad, Koi, Leopard Gecko, Lovebird, Mouse, Peregrine Falcon, Pet Rat, Prairie Dog, Rabbit (Domestic), Red-eared Slider, Red-tailed Hawk, Russian Tortoise, Sugar Glider, Sulcata Tortoise, Syrian Hamster, Umbrella Cockatoo, Veiled Chameleon, White's Tree Frog.

Is Metronidazole a controlled substance?

Metronidazole is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What are the side effects of Metronidazole?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Metronidazole: Neurotoxicity at high doses or prolonged use (ataxia, seizures). Avoid in pregnant animals. Hepatotoxic at high doses.

Metronidazole

US brand names:Flagyl

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Metronidazole is dosed at 20 mg/kg PO q12h x 3-5 days in rabbits, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.876, Metronidazole monograph spanning p.873-876. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Rabbits.a). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antibiotic

Routes

POIV

Indications

alimentary flagellates (Giardia, Trichomonas, Hexamita)Alimentary flagellates (Trichomonas, Giardia, Cochlosoma)Alimentary tract protozoaamoebaeamoebiasisAnaerobeAnaerobic and haemorrhagic enteritis Anaerobic and hemorrhagic enteritis Anaerobic bacterial and protozoal infections Anaerobic bacterial infection anaerobic enteritis anaerobic infection

Show all 42

Anaerobic infections (and giardiasis and trichomoniasis)Anaerobic infections (less severe)AntiprotozoalAppetite stimulantBacterial infectionsC. difficile colitisClostridial colitisClostridial infectionsdental abscessflagellate protozoal infectionsFlagellatesGiardia giardiasisHelicobacter (combination therapy)Hepatic encephalopathy adjuncthexamitiasisIBD Inflammatory bowel diseaseMetritis secondary to Bacteroides fragilisParacloacal gland carcinomaperitonitis

Mechanism of Action

Disrupts DNA structure in anaerobic organisms via reduction of nitro group, forming cytotoxic intermediates.

Side effects & warnings

Neurotoxicity at high doses or prolonged use (ataxia, seizures). Avoid in pregnant animals. Hepatotoxic at high doses.

Species with Metronidazole dosing data (80 dose rules)

African Clawed Frog African Grey Parrot African Pygmy Hedgehog Amazon Parrot Axolotl Ball Python Bearded Dragon Betta (Siamese fighting fish)Blue-and-Gold Macaw Blue-tongue Skink Canary Cat (Domestic)Chilean Rose Tarantula Chinchilla

Evidence levels across 80 dose rules

Moderate×51Weak×21Extrapolated×2Strong×4Anecdotal×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 80 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 50 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	10–15 mg/kg	q12h	Strong	Plumb's 10th ed printed p.873, Metronidazole monograph spanning p.873-876.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Dog (Domestic)	PO	10–15 mg/kg	q12h	Strong	Plumb's 10th ed printed p.873, Metronidazole monograph spanning p.873-876.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

Report an error in this entry

Backed by 55 published sourcesShow

· 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.778 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents).
· 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. 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.773
· 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. 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.778
· 148. Jenkins JR. Husbandry and diseases of old world chameleons. J Small Exot Anim Med. 1992;1:166-171. — Source: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1418

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Calculate Dosage for Metronidazole

Trichomonas ocular lesions

Trichomonas subcutaneous lesions

159. Formulary. In: Chitty J, Lierz M, Chitty J, Lierz M, eds. BSAVA Manual of Raptors, Pigeons and Passerine Birds; British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2008:384-390. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.437 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds).

· 291. Flammer K. Treatment of bacterial and mycotic diseases of the avian gastrointestinal tract. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 2002:851-852. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.437 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds).

· 317. Stahl SJ. Clinician's approach to the chameleon patient. Proc North Am Vet Conf. 2006;1667-1670. — Source: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1406

· 326. Miller HA, Brandt PJ, Frye FL, et al. Trichomonas associated with ocular and subcutaneous lesions in geckos. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1994:102- 107. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.228 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles). — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): Same row, same missing caution. Mader printed p.825 (Ch.77 Neurology) corroborates: "At high doses, metronidazole may induce clinical signs of vestibular disease with head tilt […]"

· 391. Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.417

· 43. Bailey TA, Apo MM. Pharmaceutics commonly used in avian medicine. In: Samour J, eds. Avian Medicine, 3rd ed., Mosby Elsevier, Edinburgh, Scotland; 2016:637-678. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.437 doi:10.1016/b978-0-7234-3832-8.00023-7 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds).

· 789. Rupiper DJ.Personal communication. 2004. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.417 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a). — SOURCE ROW: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed — "Metronidazole 50 mg/kg PO q12h x30 days(789) — Amazon parrots, cockatoos/anaerobic and hemorrhagic enteritis". PROVENANCE: reference 789 resolves in Carpenter's own list to "Rupiper DJ. Personal communication. 2004." - an unpublished source. — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): 50 mg/kg PO q12h ×30 days789 | Amazon parrots, cockatoos/anaerobic and hemorrhagic enteritis — Carpenter's 6e, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds). Ref 789 = "Rupiper DJ. Personal communication. 2004.". Missing printed limit — Table 5.1 footnote a: "Many drug doses used in birds are empirical. Patients should be monitored for adverse effects and treatment failure."

· 941. Tully TN. Psittacine therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:59-90. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.417 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).

· 99. Gibbons PM, Klaphake E, Carpenter JW. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, ed. Exotic Animal Formulary. 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2013:83-182. — Source: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1403 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).

· Adamcak A, Otten B. Rodent therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:221-237. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.773 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).

· Beck W, Pantchev N. Praktische Parasitologie bei Heimtieren, Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft MBH & Co, Hannover, Germany; 2006. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents).

· Brown SA. Ferrets. In: Jenkins JR, Brown SA, eds. A Practitioner's Guide to Rabbits and Ferrets; American Animal Hospital Association, Lakewood, CO; 1993:43-111. — 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).

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 4.4. NOTE: the served figure was matched against the table as a whole, not against this drug's own row, so confirm the number on the page before relying on it.

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed., rodent antiparasitic/antimicrobial table, p.778, Metronidazole row, superscript 122 → Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B: Exotic Pets, BSAVA, 2015 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents).

· Flammer K. Treatment of bacterial and mycotic diseases of the avian gastrointestinal tract. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 2002:851-852. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.438 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds).

· Funk RS, Diethelm G. Reptile formulary. In: Mader DR, eds. Reptile Medicine and Surgey, 2nd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2006:1119-1139. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).

· Gruffydd-Jones T, Addie D, Belak S, et al. Giardiasis in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management. J Feline Med Surg. 2013;15(7):650-652. PMID: 23813834 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.873, Metronidazole monograph spanning p.873-876.

· Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437.

· Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.438

· Invertebrate Medicine, 3rd ed (Lewbart, 2022), Table 33.2 "Arthropoda - Arachnida", citing Pizzi (2012). Published 2026-08-06.

· Invertebrate Medicine, 3rd ed (Lewbart, 2022), Table 9.6 "Cephalopod formulary". Published 2026-08-06.

· Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.228 — Carpenter 6th ed, Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles), row "25 mg/kg PO q24h x5 days243 | Chelonians/amoebiasis". This is the LOW row of a block whose header warns of severe neurologic signs above 200 mg/kg and death in indigo and mountain king snakes at 100 mg/kg.

· Kolmstetter CM, Frazier D, Cox S, et al. Pharmacokinetics of metronidazole in the green iguana, Iguana iguana. Bull Assoc Rept Amph Vet. 1998;8:4-7. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 doi:10.5818/1076-3139.8.3.4 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).

· Lightfoot T. Therapeutics of African pygmy hedgehogs and prairie dogs. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30099-3 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Hedgehogs).

· Mader's Table 127.1 (printed 1193); Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, Metronidazole, REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS section

· Mader's Table 127.4 Antiparasitic Agents (printed 1196); Plumb's Metronidazole REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS: '100 mg/kg PO repeated in 2 weeks or 50 mg/kg PO once daily for 3 to 5 days'

· Merck Veterinary Manual. Antimicrobial Drugs Used in Reptiles (dosing table). Rahway (NJ): Merck & Co.; accessed 2026. URL: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/antimicrobial-drugs-used-in-reptiles

· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents).

· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.778 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents).

· Miller HA, Brandt PJ, Frye FL, et al. Trichomonas associated with ocular and subcutaneous lesions in geckos. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1994:102-107. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.228 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles). — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): Figure printed: ".subcutaneous lesions (200 mg/kg) caused by Trichomonas" (Mader printed p.1196; Carpenter Table 4.4). Missing printed caution, on the SAME table's agent header in BOTH books: "may cause severe neurological signs at doses > 200 mg/kg;232 death occurred in indigo and mountain […]" — Mader printed p.1196.

· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents).

· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. 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.773 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents).

· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. 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.773 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).

· Ness RD, Johnson-Delaney C. Sugar gliders. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2012:393-410.

· Plumb's 10th ed printed p.873, Metronidazole monograph spanning p.873-876.

· Plumb's 10th ed printed p.875, Metronidazole monograph spanning p.873-876.

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Metronidazole, DOGS, 'Anaerobic infections (extra-label): a) For less severe anaerobic infections: 10 - 15 mg/kg PO every 8 to 12 hours', printed p.875; corroborated by Papich, Metronidazole, Dogs: 'Anaerobes: 15 mg/kg q12h or 12 mg/kg q8h PO', printed p.526 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.873, Metronidazole monograph spanning p.873-876.

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Metronidazole, HORSES, printed p.876: 'Metritis secondary to Bacteroides fragilis (extra-label): 15 - 25 mg/kg PO every 12 hours'

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Metronidazole, HORSES, printed p.876: 'Metritis secondary to Bacteroides fragilis (extra-label): 15 - 25 mg/kg PO every 12 hours' — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Metronidazole monograph, printed p.876, HORSES: "Metritis secondary to Bacteroides fragilis (extra-label): 15 - 25 mg/kg PO every 12 hours."

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.876, Metronidazole monograph spanning p.873-876. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Rabbits.a).

· Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.203.

· Samour, Avian Medicine, 3rd Ed. (raptor formulary appendix), p.646. Row as printed binds this dose to raptors on its own line: "Metronidazole Flagyl Tablets (Rhône Raptors PO 50 mg/kg sid 5 d Anaerobic infections (and giardiasis and".

· Tully TN. Psittacine therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:59-90. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).

· Tully TN. Psittacine therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:59-90. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.417 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).

Chinchilla Drug Dosing: A Vet Reference

Antibiotic, analgesic, anesthetic, and dental-disease dosing for Chinchilla lanigera. Same dysbiosis warnings as rabbits, plus the chinchilla-specific sensitivities to anesthesia and stress that change post-op care.