Exotic Animal Formulary5

compounded in
water 820
with repeated dosing; commercial oral
suspension (Seroxat) resulted in nondetectable
plasma levels; large individual differences
Phenobarbital
sodium
— Barbiturate anticonvulsant; mild sedative effect;
long-term seizure management; adjust dosage
based on blood levels; may cause deep sedation
and inability to perch; hepatotoxic; oral
formulations may not reach therapeutic plasma
levels in parrots 62,620
1-5 mg/kg IV
bolus 333
1-7 mg/kg PO q8-
12h 333
Most species/status epilepticus; begin at low end of
dosage range and increase for refractory
seizures
Most species/feather picking; mild sedative effect
2 mg/kg PO q12h 62 African grey parrot/antiseizure, therapeutic drug
monitoring did not show detectable plasma
level
2-7 mg/kg PO
q12h 333
Most species, including Amazon parrots/seizures;
self-mutilation
17 mg/kg PO 620 African grey parrots/PD; used diluted commercial
intravenous solution and compounded
suspension, plasma levels below therapeutic
levels
50-80 mg/L
drinking
water 333
Most species, including Amazon parrots/idiopathic
epilepsy
Potassium
bromide
— Long-term seizure management; use as sole agent
or in conjunction with phenobarbital; monitor
blood levels which may take up to several
weeks to establish steady state; not available in
approved dosage forms in North America; may
be obtained from chemical companies or
compounding pharmacies; for a concentration
of 250 mg/mL, add distilled water as needed to
25 g of potassium bromide for a final volume of
100 mL
25 mg/kg PO
q24h 333
50-80 mg/kg PO
q24h 333
Most species
Pigeons
75 mg/kg PO 333 Psittacines
377