Bacterial Infections in Blue-tongue Skinks

Reptile · Tiliqua scincoides · typical adult weight 0.25–0.60 kg

12 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in blue-tongue skinks: Amikacin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin, Enrofloxacin, Metronidazole, Oxytetracycline, Piperacillin, 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 blue-tongue skinks — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Amikacin(Amiglyde-V, Amikin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	2.5–5 mg/kg	5 mg/kg once, then 2.5 mg/kg q72h	Gram-negative bacterial infection	Weak	Stahl SJ. Pet lizard conditions and syndromes. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med. 2003;12:162-182. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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Amoxicillin(Amoxi-Tabs, Amoxil)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO, IM	5–10 mg/kg	q12-24h	Bacterial infection	Weak	Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, UK; 2020. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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Ampicillin(Polyflex)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM	10–20 mg/kg	q12h	Bacterial infection	Weak	Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, UK; 2020. \| 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Ampicillin dosing in Blue-tongue Skinks →Calculate for this blue-tongue skink →

Cefotaxime(Claforan)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	20–40 mg/kg	q24h	Bacterial infection	Weak	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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Cefotaxime dosing in Blue-tongue Skinks →Calculate for this blue-tongue skink →

Ceftazidime(Fortaz)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM	20–40 mg/kg	q48-72h	Gram-negative bacterial infection	Weak	Funk RS. A formulary for lizards, snakes, and crocodilians. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:333-358. \| Stahl SJ. Pet lizard conditions and syndromes. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med. 2003;12:162-182. \| 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Ceftazidime dosing in Blue-tongue Skinks →Calculate for this blue-tongue skink →

Chloramphenicol

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO, SC, IM	20–40 mg/kg	q24h at 40 mg/kg, or q12h at 20 mg/kg	Bacterial infection (reserve for meningitis/encephalitis)	Weak	Funk RS. A formulary for lizards, snakes, and crocodilians. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:333-358. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.214 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Chloramphenicol dosing in Blue-tongue Skinks →Calculate for this blue-tongue skink →

Ciprofloxacin(Cipro, Baytril)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	10 mg/kg	q48h	Bacterial infection	Weak	Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.215 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Ciprofloxacin dosing in Blue-tongue Skinks →Calculate for this blue-tongue skink →

Enrofloxacin(Baytril)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO, IM	5–13 mg/kg	q24-48h	Bacterial infection (dermatological cases)	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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.215 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00926.x

Full Enrofloxacin dosing in Blue-tongue Skinks →Calculate for this blue-tongue skink →

Metronidazole(Flagyl)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	20 mg/kg	q48h	Anaerobic bacterial infection	Weak	Funk RS, Diethelm G. Reptile formulary. In: Mader DR, eds. Reptile Medicine and Surgey, 2nd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2006:1119-1139. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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Oxytetracycline(Terramycin, Liquamycin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO, IM, IV	6–10 mg/kg	q24h	Bacterial infection	Weak	Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. \| 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Oxytetracycline dosing in Blue-tongue Skinks →Calculate for this blue-tongue skink →

Piperacillin

Uncategorized

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	50–100 mg/kg	q24h	Broad-spectrum bacterial infection	Weak	Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. \| 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Piperacillin dosing in Blue-tongue Skinks →Calculate for this blue-tongue skink →

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Supplement

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM	10–20 mg/kg	q24h	Hypovitaminosis C; stomatitis; supportive therapy for bacterial infections	Weak	Fraser MA, Girling SJ. Dermatology. In: Girling SJ, Raiti P, eds. BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, UK; 2004:184-198. \| Mehlhorn H, Schmahl G, Mevissen I. Efficacy of a combination of imidacloprid and moxidectin against parasites of reptiles and rodents: case reports. Parasitol Res. 2005;97(Suppl 1):S97-S101. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.268 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) dosing in Blue-tongue Skinks →Calculate for this blue-tongue skink →

All drugs cited for Bacterial Infections →All drugs for Blue-tongue Skinks →

Other conditions in Blue-tongue Skinks

Sedation Coccidiosis Systemic Fungal Infections Endoparasites Pain Management

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.