Table: Psychotropic Medications Used for Feather Plucking in Pet Birds

Psychotropic Medications Used for Feather Plucking in Pet Birds

Medication^a	Dosage	Comments
*Psychotropic Medications*
Amitriptyline	1–5 mg/kg, PO, once to twice daily	Maximal effects may require treatment for several weeks.
Clomipramine	1 mg/kg/day, PO	Effects similar to those of amitriptyline but may be effective in some cases in which amitriptyline is not.
Haloperidol	0.15 mg/kg, PO, once to twice daily for larger birds; 0.2 mg/kg, PO, 2 times a day for smaller species	Serious adverse effects, including anorexia, hepatic dysfunction, and CNS signs have been reported; most often used in cockatoos.
Fluoxetine	2 mg/kg/day, PO, once to twice daily	Effectiveness reported to vary; maximal effects may require treatment for several weeks.

*Hormones (GnRH agonists)*
Deslorelin acetate	4.7-mg and 9.5-mg implants, SC, dorsal back between scapulas or IM in the breast muscle every 3–6 months as needed	Decreases sexual behavior by negative feedback, reducing production of sex hormones
Leuprolide acetate	300–800 mcg/kg, IM	Decreases sexual behavior by negative feedback, reducing production of sex hormones.
^a All are extra-label usages.