Bacterial Infections in Crested Geckos

Reptile · Correlophus ciliatus · typical adult weight 0.04–0.06 kg

9 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in crested geckos: Amikacin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Ciprofloxacin, Metronidazole, Oxytetracycline, 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 crested geckos — 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 IM once, then 2.5 mg/kg IM q72h	Bacterial infection (gram-negative)	Moderate	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)

Full Amikacin dosing in Crested Geckos →Calculate for this crested gecko →

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)

Full Amoxicillin dosing in Crested Geckos →Calculate for this crested gecko →

Ampicillin(Polyflex)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM	10–20 mg/kg	q12h	Bacterial infection	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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Ampicillin dosing in Crested Geckos →Calculate for this crested gecko →

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 Crested Geckos →Calculate for this crested gecko →

Ceftazidime(Fortaz)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM	20–40 mg/kg	q48-72h	Bacterial infection; often effective against gram-negative aerobes	Weak	142. Funk RS. A formulary for lizards, snakes, and crocodilians. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:333-358. \|\| 444. Stahl SJ. Pet lizard conditions and syndromes. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med. 2003;12:162-182. \|\| 485. 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 Crested Geckos →Calculate for this crested gecko →

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 Crested Geckos →Calculate for this crested gecko →

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)

Full Metronidazole dosing in Crested Geckos →Calculate for this crested gecko →

Oxytetracycline(Terramycin, Liquamycin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO, IM, IV	6–10 mg/kg	q24h	Bacterial infection	Weak	107. Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. \|\| 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Oxytetracycline dosing in Crested Geckos →Calculate for this crested gecko →

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Supplement

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM	10–20 mg/kg	q24h	Empirical for hypovitaminosis C; stomatitis; supportive therapy for bacterial infections	Weak	138. 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. \|\| 322. 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 Crested Geckos →Calculate for this crested gecko →

All drugs cited for Bacterial Infections →All drugs for Crested Geckos →

Other conditions in Crested Geckos

Sedation Coccidiosis Endoparasites Hypocalcaemia 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.