Bird · Agapornis roseicollis · typical adult weight 0.04–0.06 kg
Oxytocin is dosed at 5–10 U/kg IM once in lovebirds, per 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Oxytocin is used in lovebirds for Egg binding / dystocia. Routes documented in lovebirds: IM. A typical adult lovebird weighs 0.04–0.06 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Oxytocin in lovebirds, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Pitocin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5–10 U/kg | once | Egg binding / dystocia | Moderate | 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.463 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your lovebird's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Stimulates uterine smooth muscle contraction and mammary myoepithelial cell contraction promoting milk letdown. Acts via oxytocin receptors.
Used for dystocia and milk letdown. DO NOT USE if obstructive dystocia (uterine rupture risk). Cervix must be dilated. Repeat doses with diminishing returns.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for lovebirds may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Oxytocin dose range in lovebirds, with cited source references: IM 5–10 U/kg once. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Oxytocin in lovebirds: IM.
Oxytocin is indicated in lovebirds for: Egg binding / dystocia.
These are general warnings for Oxytocin across species; consult the lovebird dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Used for dystocia and milk letdown. DO NOT USE if obstructive dystocia (uterine rupture risk). Cervix must be dilated. Repeat doses with diminishing returns.
Why a species-specific page? Oxytocin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in lovebirds — 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.