Bird · Agapornis roseicollis · typical adult weight 0.04–0.06 kg
Vitamin A is dosed at 5000 U/kg IM q24h × 14 days, then 250-1000 U/kg PO q24h in lovebirds, per 177. Coles BH. Prescribing for exotic birds. In: Bishop Y, eds. The Veterinary Formulary, 5th ed., Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK; 2001:99-105. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.477 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.11 (Nutritional/Mineral Support and Supplementation Used in Birds). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Vitamin A is used in lovebirds for Adjunctive therapy for respiratory or epithelial disease (hypovitaminosis A). Routes documented in lovebirds: IM. A typical adult lovebird weighs 0.04–0.06 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Vitamin A in lovebirds, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5000 U/kg | q24h × 14 days, then 250-1000 U/kg PO q24h | Adjunctive therapy for respiratory or epithelial disease (hypovitaminosis A) | Moderate | 177. Coles BH. Prescribing for exotic birds. In: Bishop Y, eds. The Veterinary Formulary, 5th ed., Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK; 2001:99-105. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.477 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.11 (Nutritional/Mineral Support and Supplementation Used in Birds). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (iu/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | PO | BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds, 2nd edp.316 | 2000 IU/kg orally or i.m. | For hypovitaminosis A and as adjunctive therapy in poxvirus infections. Systemic dosing associated with toxicity, so best given q12h. Where the injectab |
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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Essential fat-soluble vitamin required for vision, epithelial integrity, immune function, and reproduction. Deficiency common in captive reptiles and turtles on inadequate diets.
NARROW therapeutic index — hypervitaminosis A causes hepatotoxicity and skin sloughing. Do not overdose. Particularly important in chelonians and box turtles. Toxicity signs include skin peeling.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for lovebirds may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Vitamin A dose range in lovebirds, with cited source references: IM 5000 U/kg q24h × 14 days, then 250-1000 U/kg PO q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Vitamin A in lovebirds: IM.
Vitamin A is indicated in lovebirds for: Adjunctive therapy for respiratory or epithelial disease (hypovitaminosis A).
These are general warnings for Vitamin A across species; consult the lovebird dosing table above for species-specific guidance. NARROW therapeutic index — hypervitaminosis A causes hepatotoxicity and skin sloughing. Do not overdose. Particularly important in chelonians and box turtles. Toxicity signs include skin peeling.
Why a species-specific page? Vitamin A 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.