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. — 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). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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

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. — 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). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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

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. — 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). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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. — 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). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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. — 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). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.214 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.215 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.215 doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00926.x — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530

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

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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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	Empirical: 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.268 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

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.