Ticarcillin for Domestic Pigeons

Bird · Columba livia domestica · typical adult weight 0.30–0.50 kg

Ticarcillin is dosed at 200 mg/kg IM, IV q6-12h in domestic pigeons, per 391. Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.421 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712. Ticarcillin is used in domestic pigeons for Pseudomonas infection. Routes documented in domestic pigeons: IM, IV. A typical adult domestic pigeon weighs 0.30–0.50 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ticarcillin in domestic pigeons, 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
IM, IV	200 mg/kg	q6-12h	Pseudomonas infection	Weak	391. Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.421 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712

What each reference text prints

Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.

Printed doses in mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
150–200	IV	BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.296	150-200 mg/kg i.v., i.m. q8-12h a
200	IM	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.1	200 mg/kg IM, IV q6-12h
100	IM	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.1	100 mg/kg IM, IV M

Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.

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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 domestic pigeons 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 Domestic Pigeons?

Ticarcillin dose range in domestic pigeons, with cited source references: IM, IV 200 mg/kg q6-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Ticarcillin administered in Domestic Pigeons?

Documented routes for Ticarcillin in domestic pigeons: IM, IV.

What conditions does Ticarcillin treat in Domestic Pigeons?

Ticarcillin is indicated in domestic pigeons for: Pseudomonas infection.

What are the side effects of Ticarcillin in Domestic Pigeons?

These are general warnings for Ticarcillin across species; consult the domestic pigeon 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 domestic pigeon dosing

Amikacin Amoxicillin Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Ampicillin Cefadroxil Cefotaxime Cephalexin Chlortetracycline Ciprofloxacin Clindamycin Difloxacin Doxycycline

Ticarcillin dosing in other species

African Grey Parrots Amazon Parrots Canaries Zebra Finches Dogs

See all species for Ticarcillin See all drugs for Domestic Pigeons

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 domestic pigeons — 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.