Piperacillin-Tazobactam for Lovebirds

Bird · Agapornis roseicollis · typical adult weight 0.04–0.06 kg

Piperacillin-Tazobactam is dosed at 100 mg/kg IM, IV q8-12h in lovebirds, per 646. NemetzLP, Lennox AM. Zosyn: a replacement for Pipracil in the avian patient. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 2004:11-13. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.419 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Piperacillin-Tazobactam is used in lovebirds for Bacterial infection incl. resistant organisms (beta-lactamase-protected extended-spectrum penicillin). Routes documented in lovebirds: IM, IV. A typical adult lovebird weighs 0.04–0.06 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Piperacillin-Tazobactam in lovebirds, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Zosyn

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.

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM, IV	100 mg/kg	q8-12h	Bacterial infection incl. resistant organisms (beta-lactamase-protected extended-spectrum penicillin)	Moderate	646. NemetzLP, Lennox AM. Zosyn: a replacement for Pipracil in the avian patient. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 2004:11-13. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.419 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Report an error in this entry

Need the exact dose for your patient?

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.

Calculate for this lovebird →

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Piperacillin-Tazobactam for Lovebirds?

Piperacillin-Tazobactam dose range in lovebirds, with cited source references: IM, IV 100 mg/kg q8-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Piperacillin-Tazobactam administered in Lovebirds?

Documented routes for Piperacillin-Tazobactam in lovebirds: IM, IV.

What conditions does Piperacillin-Tazobactam treat in Lovebirds?

Piperacillin-Tazobactam is indicated in lovebirds for: Bacterial infection incl. resistant organisms (beta-lactamase-protected extended-spectrum penicillin).

What are the side effects of Piperacillin-Tazobactam in Lovebirds?

These are general warnings for Piperacillin-Tazobactam across species; consult the lovebird dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Adjust dose for renal impairment. Monitor bleeding (platelet dysfunction). GI upset. Sodium content may be significant in fluid-restricted patients.

Other Antibiotic drugs with lovebird dosing

Amoxicillin Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Ampicillin Cefotaxime Cefoxitin Cephalexin Ciprofloxacin Clindamycin Doxycycline Enrofloxacin Erythromycin Lincomycin

Piperacillin-Tazobactam dosing in other species

African Grey Parrots Amazon Parrots Blue-and-Gold Macaws Umbrella Cockatoos Cats Dogs

See all species for Piperacillin-Tazobactam See all drugs for Lovebirds

Why a species-specific page? Piperacillin-Tazobactam 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.