Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg
Metronidazole is dosed at 20 mg/kg PO q12h in rabbits, per Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th ed., Wiley Blackwell, Ames, IA; 2018. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.843 (2026-08-01).. Metronidazole is used in rabbits for Anaerobic infections, Giardia, Clostridial enterotoxemia adjunct. Routes documented in rabbits: PO. A typical adult rabbit weighs 1.00–5.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Metronidazole in rabbits, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Flagyl
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 20 mg/kg | q12h | 5-7 days | Anaerobic infections, Giardia | Moderate | Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th ed., Wiley Blackwell, Ames, IA; 2018. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.843 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 20 mg/kg | q12h | 7-10 days | Clostridial enterotoxemia adjunct | Moderate | Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th ed., Wiley Blackwell, Ames, IA; 2018. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.843 (2026-08-01). |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your rabbit'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 rabbits may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Metronidazole dose ranges in rabbits, with cited source references: PO 20 mg/kg q12h; PO 20 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Metronidazole in rabbits: PO.
Cited course lengths for Metronidazole in rabbits include: 5-7 days; 7-10 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Metronidazole is indicated in rabbits for: Anaerobic infections, Giardia, Clostridial enterotoxemia adjunct.
These are general warnings for Metronidazole across species; consult the rabbit 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 rabbits — 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.