Ticarcillin for Canaries

Bird · Serinus canaria domestica · typical adult weight 0.01–0.03 kg

Ticarcillin is dosed at 150–200 mg/kg IV q2-4h in canaries, per Dorrestein GM. Passerine and softbill therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:35-57. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.421 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30094-4. Ticarcillin is used in canaries for Bacterial infection including Pseudomonas and anaerobes. Routes documented in canaries: IV. A typical adult canary weighs 0.01–0.03 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ticarcillin in canaries, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Ticar

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
IV	150–200 mg/kg	q2-4h	Bacterial infection including Pseudomonas and anaerobes	Moderate	Dorrestein GM. Passerine and softbill therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:35-57. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.421 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30094-4

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Mechanism of action

Extended-spectrum penicillin with anti-pseudomonal activity. Inhibits cell wall synthesis. Often combined with clavulanate.

Side effects & warnings

High sodium load. Platelet dysfunction at high doses. Synergistic with aminoglycosides but do not mix in same IV line.

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Ticarcillin for Canaries?

Ticarcillin dose range in canaries, with cited source references: IV 150–200 mg/kg q2-4h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Ticarcillin administered in Canaries?

Documented routes for Ticarcillin in canaries: IV.

What conditions does Ticarcillin treat in Canaries?

Ticarcillin is indicated in canaries for: Bacterial infection including Pseudomonas and anaerobes.

What are the side effects of Ticarcillin in Canaries?

These are general warnings for Ticarcillin across species; consult the canary dosing table above for species-specific guidance. High sodium load. Platelet dysfunction at high doses. Synergistic with aminoglycosides but do not mix in same IV line.

Other Antibiotic drugs with canary dosing

Amikacin Cephalothin Chloramphenicol Ciprofloxacin Clarithromycin Furazolidone Gentamicin Lincomycin Oleandomycin Tetracycline Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim/sulfatroxazole

Ticarcillin dosing in other species

African Grey Parrots Amazon Parrots Domestic Pigeons Zebra Finches Dogs

See all species for Ticarcillin See all drugs for Canaries

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