Medication Glossary
Comprehensive guide to medications used for exotic pets. Click any medication to see detailed information including uses, dosages, and safety notes.
Meloxicam (Metacam, Loxicom)
Class: NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)
Uses: Pain relief, inflammation reduction, arthritis management, post-surgical pain
Common Dosages:
- Rabbits/Guinea Pigs: 0.2-0.5 mg/kg once daily
- Birds: 0.5-1.0 mg/kg twice daily
- Ferrets: 0.2-0.3 mg/kg once daily
Available Forms: Oral suspension (0.5 mg/ml, 1.5 mg/ml), Tablets (1mg, 2.5mg, 5mg)
Administration: Give with small amount of food. Shake liquid well before use.
Side Effects: GI upset, reduced appetite, soft stool. Monitor for black/tarry stool.
Contraindications: Kidney disease, dehydration, active GI bleeding
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Class: Nerve pain medication, anticonvulsant
Uses: Chronic pain, neuropathic pain, feather picking, anxiety, seizures
Common Dosages:
- Rabbits/Ferrets: 5-20 mg/kg twice daily
- Birds: 10-20 mg/kg twice daily
- Guinea Pigs: 10-20 mg/kg twice daily
Available Forms: Capsules (100mg, 300mg, 400mg), Oral solution (50mg/ml)
Administration: Can be given with or without food. Start with low dose.
Side Effects: Sedation, wobbliness, incoordination (usually temporary)
Notes: May take 1-2 weeks to see full effect. Do not stop suddenly.
Carprofen (Rimadyl)
Class: NSAID
Uses: Pain and inflammation, arthritis, post-surgical pain
Common Dosages: 2-5 mg/kg twice daily (varies by species)
Available Forms: Tablets (25mg, 75mg, 100mg), Injectable
Notes: Less commonly used in exotic pets than Meloxicam. Monitor for GI side effects.
Tramadol
Class: Opioid-like pain reliever
Uses: Moderate to severe pain, chronic pain
Common Dosages: 5-10 mg/kg twice to three times daily
Side Effects: Sedation, constipation, reduced appetite
Notes: Often combined with NSAIDs for better pain control
Buprenorphine
Class: Opioid analgesic
Uses: Moderate to severe pain, post-surgical pain
Common Dosages: 0.01-0.05 mg/kg every 8-12 hours
Administration: Injectable or buccal (absorbed through mouth lining)
Notes: Controlled substance - requires prescription. Very effective pain relief.
Enrofloxacin (Baytril)
Class: Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
Uses: Respiratory infections, urinary infections, GI infections, skin infections
Common Dosages:
- Most Species: 10-20 mg/kg twice daily
- Chickens: 10-15 mg/kg once daily
Available Forms: Oral solution (22.7 mg/ml), Tablets (22.7mg, 68mg, 136mg)
Duration: Minimum 7-14 days, often longer for stubborn infections
Side Effects: GI upset, reduced appetite, cartilage damage in young growing animals
Notes: Broad-spectrum, commonly used first-line antibiotic for exotic pets
Trimethoprim-Sulfa (Bactrim)
Class: Sulfonamide antibiotic combination
Uses: Respiratory infections, urinary infections, coccidiosis (in chickens)
Common Dosages: 15-30 mg/kg twice daily
Administration: Give with plenty of water to prevent crystal formation in kidneys
Notes: Safe for rabbits and rodents. Good alternative when Baytril isn't working.
Doxycycline
Class: Tetracycline antibiotic
Uses: Respiratory infections, mycoplasma, chlamydia, tick-borne diseases
Common Dosages: 5-10 mg/kg twice daily
Administration: Give with food. Do not give with dairy or calcium supplements.
Notes: Avoid in young growing animals (affects teeth/bones). Photosensitivity possible.
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Class: Antibiotic and antiprotozoal
Uses: GI infections, giardia, anaerobic bacterial infections, IBD
Common Dosages: 10-30 mg/kg twice daily
Side Effects: Very bitter taste (mix with favorite food), neurological signs at high doses
Notes: Excellent for diarrhea and GI issues. Often used in ferrets with IBD.
Amoxicillin
Class: Penicillin antibiotic
Uses: Bacterial infections, dental abscesses, skin infections
Common Dosages: 10-20 mg/kg twice daily
⚠️ WARNING: DEADLY to chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils when given orally. Safe for rabbits and ferrets.
Notes: Oral penicillins disrupt gut flora in some herbivores, causing fatal diarrhea.
Fenbendazole (Panacur, Safe-Guard)
Class: Broad-spectrum dewormer
Uses: Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, E. cuniculi (in rabbits)
Common Dosages:
- General Deworming: 20-50 mg/kg once daily for 3-5 days
- E. cuniculi Protocol (Rabbits): 20 mg/kg once daily for 28 days
Available Forms: Liquid suspension (100 mg/ml), Paste, Granules
Side Effects: Very safe, minimal side effects. Occasional vomiting.
Notes: Gold standard for E. cuniculi treatment in rabbits. Safe for all species.
Ivermectin
Class: Antiparasitic
Uses: Mites, lice, some internal parasites
Common Dosages:
- Rabbits/Guinea Pigs: 0.2-0.4 mg/kg topically or injectable, repeat in 10-14 days
- Birds: 0.2 mg/kg, repeat in 10-14 days
Administration: Topical (behind ears), injectable, or oral
Notes: Highly effective for scaly face mites in budgies, ear mites in rabbits, sarcoptic mites in guinea pigs
Selamectin (Revolution)
Class: Topical antiparasitic
Uses: Fleas, ear mites, some intestinal parasites
Common Dosages: 15-20 mg/kg topically, repeat monthly
Administration: Apply topically to skin on back of neck/between shoulder blades
Notes: Preferred treatment for rabbit ear mites (no ear cleaning needed). Safe for ferrets and rabbits.
Amprolium (Corid)
Class: Anticoccidial
Uses: Coccidiosis treatment and prevention (primarily in chickens and birds)
Common Dosages:
- Chickens: 1-2 teaspoons per gallon of water for 5-7 days
Administration: Add to drinking water. Change water daily.
Notes: Gold standard for coccidiosis. Does not treat other parasites. Safe and effective.
Metoclopramide (Reglan)
Class: GI motility stimulant and antiemetic
Uses: GI stasis, nausea, vomiting, slow gut motility
Common Dosages: 0.5-1.0 mg/kg every 6-8 hours
⚠️ WARNING: DO NOT use if complete GI obstruction suspected (can cause rupture)
Side Effects: Drowsiness, restlessness, tremors (rare)
Notes: Critical component of GI stasis treatment in rabbits and guinea pigs
Cisapride
Class: GI motility stimulant
Uses: GI stasis, severe gut slowdown
Common Dosages: 0.5 mg/kg every 8-12 hours
Availability: Requires compounding pharmacy (withdrawn from human market)
Notes: Gold standard for rabbit GI stasis. More powerful than Metoclopramide. Keep on hand if you own rabbits.
Simethicone (Gas-X, Infacol)
Class: Anti-gas/anti-foaming agent
Uses: Gas bloat, GI stasis, intestinal gas pain
Common Dosages:
- Rabbits/Guinea Pigs: 1-2 ml every 3-4 hours for gas emergencies
- Small birds: 0.1-0.3 ml every 4-6 hours
Available Forms: Infant gas drops (20mg/0.3ml or 40mg/0.6ml)
Side Effects: None - extremely safe
Notes: Over-the-counter. Every exotic pet owner should have this on hand. Works by breaking up gas bubbles.
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Explore Pet Air Purifiers📖 Note: This glossary contains detailed information for common exotic pet medications. Always consult your veterinarian before administering any medication. Dosages and protocols may vary based on individual health conditions.