Exotic Animal Formulary5

Charcoal, activated — Adsorbs toxins from the intestinal tract; may be
mixed with hemicellulose to act as a bulk
laxative to aid in the passage of ingested toxins;
administration prior to cathartic use may help
bind small particles of heavy metal; 613 see
magnesium hydroxide for combination
52 mg/kg PO
once 519
A component of oiled bird treatment; alternatively,
may use bismuth
1-3 g/kg 859 Most species
2-8 g/kg PO 333 Most species
Deferiprone
(Ferriprox,
Apotex)
50 mg/kg PO
q12h × 30
days 333,849
Toucans, pigeons/iron chelation; may produce
rust-colored urates
50 mg/kg PO
q12h 848
Pigeons/PK
75 mg/kg PO
q24h × 90
days 712 Hornbills/PD; n = 3
Deferoxamine
mesylate
— Iron chelator for hemochromatosis; may take 3 mo
to see response; may cause reddish discoloration
of urine; avoid in birds with renal disease;
combine with a low-iron diet; 333,438 poorly
absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract 615
20 mg/kg PO,
IM q4h
until
recovery 333
40 mg/kg IM
q24h × 7
days 559
50 mg/kg IM
q12h × 14
days 274
100 mg/kg SC,
IM q24h up
to 3.5
mo 151,438,789
100 mg/kg SC
q24h × 16
wk 569
Most species
Bali mynahs
Macaws
Most species, including toucans
European starlings/PD
Dimercaprol (BAL in 2.5-5 mg/kg Most species/heavy metal toxicosis; arsenical
368