Which species have cited Piperacillin-Tazobactam dosing data?

Piperacillin-Tazobactam dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 7 species: African Grey Parrot, Amazon Parrot, Blue-and-Gold Macaw, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Lovebird, Umbrella Cockatoo.

Is Piperacillin-Tazobactam a controlled substance?

Piperacillin-Tazobactam is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Piperacillin-Tazobactam

US brand names:Zosyn

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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 chinchillasChinchillas 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.

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Piperacillin-Tazobactam is dosed at 100 mg/kg IM, IV q8-12h in african grey parrots, per 646. NemetzLP, Lennox AM. Zosyn: a replacement for Pipracil in the avian patient. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 2004:11-13. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.419 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antibiotic

Routes

Indications

Broad-spectrumincl. Pseudomonas and beta-lactamase-producing organismsInfections attributable to susceptible bacteriaresistant bacterial infectionsepsisSevere mixed infectionsSevere mixed/resistant infectionsβ-lactamase-protected penicillin combination

Mechanism of Action

Piperacillin inhibits cell wall synthesis; tazobactam inhibits many beta-lactamases restoring activity against resistant organisms.

Side effects & warnings

Adjust dose for renal impairment. Monitor bleeding (platelet dysfunction). GI upset. Sodium content may be significant in fluid-restricted patients.

Species with Piperacillin-Tazobactam dosing data (7 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot Amazon Parrot Blue-and-Gold Macaw Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Lovebird Umbrella Cockatoo

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugs All Amazon Parrot drugs All Blue-and-Gold Macaw drugs All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Lovebird drugs All Umbrella Cockatoo drugs

Evidence levels across 7 dose rules

Moderate×6Weak×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 7 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 7 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	50–100 mg/kg	q6-8h	Moderate	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1029, Piperacillin/Tazobactam monograph spanning p.1029-1030. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1030, Piperacillin/Tazobactam monograph.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Cat (Domestic)	IV	40–50 mg/kg	q6h (infuse over 30 minutes)	Weak	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023), printed p.1030 - Piperacillin/Tazobactam, Dosages, DOGS/CATS: '40 - 50 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes every 6 hours have been suggested.' Concordant: Papich MG, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed, printed p.641 (PDF p.669), Small Animal Dosage, Dogs and Cats: '50 mg/kg q6h IV or IM.'Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

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Backed by 5 published sourcesShow

· 148. Carpenter JW, Tully TN Jr., Gehring R, et al. Single-dose pharmacokinetics of piperacillin/tazobactam in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). J Avian Med Surg. 2017;31(2):95-101. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.419 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).
· 646. NemetzLP, Lennox AM. Zosyn: a replacement for Pipracil in the avian patient. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 2004:11-13. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.419 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).
· NemetzLP, Lennox AM. Zosyn: a replacement for Pipracil in the avian patient. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 2004:11-13. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.419 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).
· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1029, Piperacillin/Tazobactam monograph spanning p.1029-1030. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1030, Piperacillin/Tazobactam monograph.

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