Bird · Agapornis roseicollis · typical adult weight 0.04–0.06 kg
Penicillamine is dosed at 50–55 mg/kg PO q24h x 1-6 wk in lovebirds, per 206. De Francisco N, Ruiz Troya JD, Aguera EI. Lead and lead toxicity in domestic and free living birds. Avian Pathol. 2003;32:3-13. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.469 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1080/0307945021000070660. Penicillamine is used in lovebirds for Heavy-metal (lead/zinc/copper/mercury) toxicosis chelation. Routes documented in lovebirds: PO. A typical adult lovebird weighs 0.04–0.06 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Penicillamine in lovebirds, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Cuprimine, Depen, D-Penicillamine
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 50–55 mg/kg | q24h x 1-6 wk | Heavy-metal (lead/zinc/copper/mercury) toxicosis chelation | Moderate | 206. De Francisco N, Ruiz Troya JD, Aguera EI. Lead and lead toxicity in domestic and free living birds. Avian Pathol. 2003;32:3-13. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.469 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1080/0307945021000070660 |
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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.
Chelates copper, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals, forming soluble complexes excreted by the kidneys. Also has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.
Give on empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). GI upset common — start low and increase gradually. Monitor CBC and urinalysis (proteinuria). Primary use: copper-associated hepatopathy (Bedlington Terriers, others).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for lovebirds may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Penicillamine dose range in lovebirds, with cited source references: PO 50–55 mg/kg q24h x 1-6 wk. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Penicillamine in lovebirds: PO.
Penicillamine is indicated in lovebirds for: Heavy-metal (lead/zinc/copper/mercury) toxicosis chelation.
These are general warnings for Penicillamine across species; consult the lovebird dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Give on empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). GI upset common — start low and increase gradually. Monitor CBC and urinalysis (proteinuria). Primary use: copper-associated hepatopathy (Bedlington Terriers, others).
Why a species-specific page? Penicillamine 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.