Bacterial Infections in Bearded Dragons
Reptile · Pogona vitticeps · typical adult weight 0.38–0.51 kg
11 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in bearded dragons: Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Ceftiofur, Chloramphenicol, Enrofloxacin, Enrofloxacin Injectable, Oxytetracycline, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid).
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 | Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23.; Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, UK; 2020. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Ampicillin(Polyflex)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 10–20 mg/kg | q12h | Bacterial infection (may be used with an aminoglycoside) | Weak | 184. Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, UK; 2020. / 243. Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Cefotaxime(Claforan)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 20–40 mg/kg | q24h | Bacterial infection (may use with an aminoglycoside) | Weak | 243. Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Ceftazidime(Fortaz)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 20 mg/kg | q48-72h | — | Gram-negative bacterial infections | Moderate | White SD, Bourdeau P, Bruet V, et al. Reptiles with dermatological lesions: a retrospective study of 301 cases at two university veterinary teaching hospitals (1992-2008). Vet Dermatol. 2010;22:150-161. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00926.x; Funk RS. A formulary for lizards, snakes, and crocodilians. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:333-358. doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30105-6 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). |
| SC | 20 mg/kg | q72h | 14-21 days | Gram-negative bacterial infections | Moderate | Funk RS. A formulary for lizards, snakes, and crocodilians. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:333-358. doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30105-6; Stahl SJ. Pet lizard conditions and syndromes. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med. 2003;12:162-182. doi:10.1053/saep.2003.00019-7 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). |
Ceftiofur(Excenel, Excede, Naxcel)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5 mg/kg | q24h | 7-14 days | Bacterial infections | Weak | Carpenter's 6th ed. p.214 (ceftiofur sodium, lizards/bearded dragons); Mader's Table 127.1 '5 mg/kg SC, IM q24h - Lizards/PK; ceftiofur sodium'; Plumb's Ceftiofur REPTILES, '5 mg/kg, IM or SC, every 24 hours' (green iguana PK) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.05.003 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Chloramphenicol
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 40 mg/kg | q24h | 7-14 days | Bacterial infections | Extrapolated | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, Table 4.1 antimicrobials continuation, Chloramphenicol, 'Most species' row; superscript 142 = Funk RS. A formulary for lizards, snakes, and crocodilians. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:333-358 10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30105-6Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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, pp.215-216 (Enrofloxacin, reptiles). Primaries printed in the chapter reference list: ref 409 = Salvadori M, Vercelli C, De Vito V, et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations of a 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin intramuscular administration in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) [Carpenter refs p.391]; ref 188 = Hellebuyck T, Pasmans F, Haesebrouck F, et al. Designing a successful antimicrobial treatment against Devriesea agamarum infections in lizards. Vet Microbiol. 2009;139:189-192 [Carpenter refs p.364] — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| IM | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h | 7-14 days | Bacterial infections | Moderate | Salvadori M, Vercelli C, De Vito V, et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations of a 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin intramuscular administration in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps): a preliminary assessment. J Vet Pharm Ther. 2017;40:62-69. doi:10.1111/jvp.12320; Hellebuyck T, Pasmans F, Haesebrouck F, et al. Designing a successful antimicrobial treatment against Devriesea agamarum infections in lizards. Vet Microbiol. 2009;139:189-192. doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.05.003 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h | 7-14 days | Bacterial infections | Extrapolated | Agius JE, Kimble B, Govendir M, et al. Pharmacokinetic profile of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in Asian house geckos (Hemidactylus frenatus) after single-dose oral administration of enrofloxacin. Vet Anim Sci; 2020:100-116. doi:10.1016/j.vas.2020.100116 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). |
Enrofloxacin Injectable(Baytril Injectable)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h | 7-14 days | Bacterial infections | Moderate | Salvadori M, Vercelli C, De Vito V, et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations of a 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin intramuscular administration in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps): a preliminary assessment. J Vet Pharm Ther. 2017;40:62-69. doi:10.1111/jvp.12320 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). |
Oxytetracycline(Terramycin, Liquamycin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, IM, IV | 6–10 mg/kg | q24h | 14-21 days | Bacterial infections | Extrapolated | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed., Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles, p.218; refs 107 + 243 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole(Bactrim, TMS)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 15–25 mg/kg/day | q24h for 7 to 14 days | 7-14 days | Bacterial infections | Extrapolated | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023), Sulfa-/Trimethoprim monograph, REPTILES section entry c), printed p.1196, superscript 46 → Lewbart. Reptile formulary. Presented at: Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference; 2001Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO | 15–25 mg/kg | q24h | — | Bacterial infections, coccidia | Extrapolated | Gibbons PM, Klaphake E, Carpenter JW. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, ed. Exotic Animal Formulary. 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2013:83-182. — Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1404Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Supplement| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 10–20 mg/kg | q24h | Short-term during illness | Hypovitaminosis C, stomatitis, skin slough (snakes), supportive therapy for bacterial infections | Anecdotal | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed., Table 4.10 (vitamins/nutritional support, reptiles), p.268, Vitamin C row, superscript 138 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Other conditions in Bearded Dragons
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.