Ticarcillin for Zebra Finches

Bird · Taeniopygia guttata · typical adult weight 0.01–0.02 kg

Ticarcillin is dosed at 150–200 mg/kg IV q2-4h in zebra finches, per 241. 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 zebra finches for Pseudomonas and anaerobes (extended-spectrum penicillin). Routes documented in zebra finches: IV. A typical adult zebra finch weighs 0.01–0.02 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ticarcillin in zebra finches, 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	Pseudomonas and anaerobes (extended-spectrum penicillin)	Moderate	241. 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

Report an error in this entry

Need the exact dose for your patient?

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

Calculate for this zebra finch →

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 zebra finches 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 Zebra Finches?

Ticarcillin dose range in zebra finches, 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 Zebra Finches?

Documented routes for Ticarcillin in zebra finches: IV.

What conditions does Ticarcillin treat in Zebra Finches?

Ticarcillin is indicated in zebra finches for: Pseudomonas and anaerobes (extended-spectrum penicillin).

What are the side effects of Ticarcillin in Zebra Finches?

These are general warnings for Ticarcillin across species; consult the zebra finch 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 zebra finch dosing

Amikacin Amoxicillin Ampicillin Cephalothin Chloramphenicol Doxycycline Enrofloxacin Erythromycin Gentamicin Lincomycin Metronidazole Neomycin

Ticarcillin dosing in other species

African Grey Parrots Amazon Parrots Canaries Domestic Pigeons Dogs

See all species for Ticarcillin See all drugs for Zebra Finches

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 zebra finches — 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.