Exotic Animal Formulary5

effects in mammals include cardiac conduction
abnormalities, tachyarrhythmias, postural
hypotension, dry mucous membranes, urinary
retention, constipation, and lowering of the
seizure threshold; 389 anecdotal reports of death
in birds possibly associated with preexisting
arrhythmias; 333 wait 2-3 wk before adjusting
dose; 333 reports of illness, extrapyramidal signs,
and death reported in macaws; 765 indicated for
compulsive disorders, feather-damaging
behavior, and anxiety; 497,818 contraindicated for
aggressive behaviors 497
0.5-1 mg/kg PO
q12-24h 333
Psittacines/feather-damaging behavior; selfmutilation;
start with low dose and gradually
increase over 4-5 days
Psittacines/feather-damaging behavior; occasional
1 mg/kg PO q24h
× 6 wk 636 birds decreased feather picking 636
or divided q12h regurgitation and drowsiness observed; 2/11
1-2 mg/kg PO
q24h 333
Psittacines/begin with 1 mg/kg and increase if
needed
3 mg/kg PO q12h 730 Cockatoos/PD; placebo-controlled clinical trial; no
appreciable deleterious side effects; no
significant differences between baseline and
post-treatment bloodwork or body weight;
significant decrease in feather-damaging
behavior at 3 and 6 wk
Clonazepam
4-8 mg/kg PO
q12h 389
0.5 mg/kg PO
q12h 62
African grey parrots/behavior interpreted as
paradoxical anxiety; combine with anxiolytic
therapy (buspirone)
African grey parrot/antiepileptic; developed
tolerance after 7 mo
Delmadinone
(Tardak,
Pfizer)
Deslorelin
(Suprelorin,
Virbac)
1 mg/kg IM once 333 Psittacines/sexual behavior problems; not available
in the United States
4.7 mg implant 254 Parrots, birds of prey/decrease reproduction-related
behavior
Diazepam — Benzodiazepine sedative; anxiolytic/stressassociated
feather picking; useful as sole agent
or in combination with phenobarbital for
seizure control
0.25-0.5 mg/kg IM,
IV q24h × 2-
3 days 779 Raptors/appetite stimulant
373