Bacterial Infections in Bearded Dragons

Reptile · Pogona vitticeps · typical adult weight 0.38–0.51 kg

12 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in bearded dragons: Amoxicillin, Ceftazidime, Ceftiofur, Chloramphenicol, Doxycycline, Enrofloxacin, Enrofloxacin Injectable, Florfenicol, Marbofloxacin, Oxytetracycline, Trimethoprim, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole.

General coverage of susceptible bacterial pathogens. Drug selection turns on the suspected organism's gram-stain, the patient's species (oral β-lactams unsafe in rabbits/guinea pigs), and the infection site (penetration to bone, CSF, or biliary tree).

The overview above describes Bacterial Infections across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to bearded dragons — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Amoxicillin(Amoxi-Tabs, Amoxil)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	10–22 mg/kg	q12-24h	7-14 days	Susceptible bacterial infections	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Amoxicillin dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Ceftazidime(Fortaz)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	20 mg/kg	q72h	14-21 days	Gram-negative bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	20 mg/kg	q72h	14-21 days	Gram-negative bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Ceftazidime dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Ceftiofur(Excenel, Excede, Naxcel)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	5–10 mg/kg	q24-48h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Weak	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Ceftiofur dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Chloramphenicol

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	40–50 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	40 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Chloramphenicol dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Doxycycline(Vibramycin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	5–10 mg/kg	q24h	14-21 days	Bacterial infections, mycoplasma	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Doxycycline dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Enrofloxacin(Baytril)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	5–10 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
PO	5–10 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	5–10 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Enrofloxacin dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Enrofloxacin Injectable(Baytril Injectable)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	5–10 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Enrofloxacin Injectable dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Florfenicol(Nuflor, Aquaflor)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	20–30 mg/kg	q24-48h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Weak	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Florfenicol dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Marbofloxacin(Zeniquin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	2–5 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Marbofloxacin dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Oxytetracycline(Terramycin, Liquamycin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	6–10 mg/kg	q48-72h	14-21 days	Bacterial infections	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Oxytetracycline dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Trimethoprim(Tribrissen)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	15–25 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections (TMP-sulfa)	Weak	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Trimethoprim dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole(Bactrim, TMS)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	15–25 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections, coccidia	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	15–25 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

All drugs cited for Bacterial Infections →All drugs for Bearded Dragons →

Other conditions in Bearded Dragons

Endoparasites Sedation Pain Management Systemic Fungal Infections General Anesthesia Coccidiosis Cryptosporidiosis Ectoparasites

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.