Penicillin G for African Grey Parrots

Bird · Psittacus erithacus · typical adult weight 0.40–0.65 kg

Penicillin G is dosed at 200 mg/kg IM q24h in african grey parrots, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed. Penicillin G is used in african grey parrots for Susceptible infections. Routes documented in african grey parrots: IM. A typical adult african grey parrot weighs 0.40–0.65 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Penicillin G in african grey parrots, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Pen-G, Crysticillin

Contraindicated in Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu

Rabbit: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsOral amoxicillin (and other oral beta-lactams) selectively destroy gram-positive hindgut flora in rabbits, allowing Clostridium spiroforme overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never administer oral beta-lactams to rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route, but is not established as safe in rabbits.
Guinea Pig: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsOral amoxicillin reliably causes Clostridium difficile-mediated fatal enterotoxemia in guinea pigs. Same mechanism as in rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route; parenteral ceftiofur specifically has been given to guinea pigs and chinchillas without adverse effect.
Chinchilla: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillas

Chinchillas are hindgut fermenters with the same flora dependence as rabbits and guinea pigs. Oral penicillins and oral cephalosporins trigger Clostridium overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never give oral beta-lactams; parenteral routes and trimethoprim-sulfa, fluoroquinolones, or chloramphenicol are the safer choices.

Hamster: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal enterocolitis in hamstersHamsters are exquisitely susceptible to antibiotic-associated Clostridium difficile enterocolitis — the hamster is the classic laboratory model for it. Oral penicillins and cephalosporins are reliably fatal. Never administer oral beta-lactams.

Degu: Oral beta-lactams risk fatal dysbiosis in degusDegus are caviomorph hindgut fermenters closely related to chinchillas and guinea pigs. Degu-specific data is limited, so this warning is extrapolated from those related hystricomorphs — but the shared physiology makes oral beta-lactam enterotoxemia the expected outcome. Treat as contraindicated; use the safer alternatives.

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	200 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Susceptible infections	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Need the exact dose for your patient?

These ranges are per kg. Enter your african grey parrot's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.

Calculate for this african grey parrot →

Mechanism of action

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding PBPs. Bactericidal. Narrow spectrum: primarily gram-positive and some anaerobes.

Side effects & warnings

CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters. Hypersensitivity reactions. Procaine form: IM/SC only (never IV). Potassium form: slow IV only. Pain at injection site.

Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for african grey parrots may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Penicillin G for African Grey Parrots?

Penicillin G dose range in african grey parrots, with cited source references: IM 200 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Penicillin G administered in African Grey Parrots?

Documented routes for Penicillin G in african grey parrots: IM.

How long is Penicillin G given in African Grey Parrots?

Cited course lengths for Penicillin G in african grey parrots include: 7-14 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.

What conditions does Penicillin G treat in African Grey Parrots?

Penicillin G is indicated in african grey parrots for: Susceptible infections.

What are the side effects of Penicillin G in African Grey Parrots?

These are general warnings for Penicillin G across species; consult the african grey parrot dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters. Hypersensitivity reactions. Procaine form: IM/SC only (never IV). Potassium form: slow IV only. Pain at injection site.

Penicillin G dosing in other species

Cats Dogs Ferrets Goats Pet Rats Rabbits Sheep Sugar Gliders

Why a species-specific page? Penicillin G pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in african grey parrots — 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.