Bird · Serinus canaria domestica · typical adult weight 0.01–0.03 kg
Metronidazole is dosed at 100 mg/L drinking water PO (drinking water) Continuous in drinking water in canaries, per Flammer K. Treatment of bacterial and mycotic diseases of the avian gastrointestinal tract. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 2002:851-852. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.438 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Metronidazole is used in canaries for Alimentary tract protozoa, especially flagellates (Giardia, Histomonas, Spironucleus, Trichomonas), Alimentary flagellates (Trichomonas, Giardia, Cochlosoma). Routes documented in canaries: PO (drinking water), PO (in soft feed). A typical adult canary weighs 0.01–0.03 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Metronidazole in canaries, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Flagyl
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO (drinking water) | 100 mg/L drinking water | Continuous in drinking water | No duration printed on this row. | Alimentary tract protozoa, especially flagellates (Giardia, Histomonas, Spironucleus, Trichomonas) | Moderate | Flammer K. Treatment of bacterial and mycotic diseases of the avian gastrointestinal tract. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 2002:851-852. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.438 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
| PO (in soft feed) | 100 mg/kg soft feed | Not stated (in-feed concentration) | No duration stated in the row. Adjacent in-water rows in the same block run x3 days to x5-15 days. | Alimentary flagellates (Trichomonas, Giardia, Cochlosoma) | Moderate | 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.438 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your canary's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Disrupts DNA structure in anaerobic organisms via reduction of nitro group, forming cytotoxic intermediates.
Neurotoxicity at high doses or prolonged use (ataxia, seizures). Avoid in pregnant animals. Hepatotoxic at high doses.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for canaries may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Metronidazole dose ranges in canaries, with cited source references: PO (drinking water) 100 mg/L drinking water Continuous in drinking water; PO (in soft feed) 100 mg/kg soft feed Not stated (in-feed concentration). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Metronidazole in canaries: PO (drinking water), PO (in soft feed).
Cited course lengths for Metronidazole in canaries include: No duration printed on this row.; No duration stated in the row. Adjacent in-water rows in the same block run x3 days to x5-15 days.. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Metronidazole is indicated in canaries for: Alimentary tract protozoa, especially flagellates (Giardia, Histomonas, Spironucleus, Trichomonas), Alimentary flagellates (Trichomonas, Giardia, Cochlosoma).
These are general warnings for Metronidazole across species; consult the canary dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Neurotoxicity at high doses or prolonged use (ataxia, seizures). Avoid in pregnant animals. Hepatotoxic at high doses.
Why a species-specific page? Metronidazole 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.