Bacterial Infections in Red-eared Sliders
Reptile · Trachemys scripta elegans · typical adult weight 0.20–2.20 kg
10 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in red-eared sliders: Amikacin, Ampicillin, Cefazolin, Cefovecin, Ceftazidime, Ceftiofur, Gentamicin, Marbofloxacin, Tobramycin, 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 red-eared sliders — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Amikacin(Amiglyde-V, Amikin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 5–10 mg/kg | single dose studied | Gram-negative bacterial infection (aminoglycoside) | Moderate | Hiebert K, Knych H, Hawkins S. Subcutaneous amikacin administration in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) produces prolonged detectable plasma concentrations without biochemistry evidence of impaired renal function. Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(9):ajvr.24.03.0088. doi:10.2460/ajvr.24.03.0088 https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/38901454 |
Ampicillin(Polyflex)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 50 mg/kg | q12h | Bacterial infection | Weak | Schumacher J. Respiratory medicine of reptiles. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2011;14:207-224. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1401 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Cefazolin(Ancef, Kefzol)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 22 mg/kg | q24h | Bacterial infection (first-generation cephalosporin) | 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.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Cefovecin(Convenia)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 10 mg/kg | q24h | Bacterial infection (long-acting cephalosporin) | Moderate | Sypniewski LA, Maxwell LK, Murray JK, et al. Cefovecin pharmacokinetics in the red-eared slider. J Exot Pet Med. 2017;26:108-113. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1402 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2017.01.027 |
Ceftazidime(Fortaz)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 20 mg/kg | q5d | Bacterial infection (gram-negative, incl. Pseudomonas) | Moderate | Cerreta AJ, Lewbart GA, Dise DR, et al. Population pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime after a single intramuscular injection in wild turtles. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2018;41:495-501. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1111/jvp.12500 |
| SC | 20–40 mg/kg | single dose studied | Gram-negative bacterial infection (empiric third-generation cephalosporin) | Strong | Hiebert K, Cox S, Hawkins S. Subcutaneous administration of ceftazidime at 20 and 40 mg/kg produces theoretically therapeutic plasma concentrations for at least 120 hours in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(5):ajvr.23.11.0265. doi:10.2460/ajvr.23.11.0265 https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/38412607 |
Ceftiofur(Excenel, Excede, Naxcel)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 2.2 mg/kg | q24h | Bacterial infection | Weak | Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1402 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Gentamicin(Gentocin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 6 mg/kg | q72-96h | Bacterial infection (aminoglycoside) | Moderate | Raphael B, Clark CH, Hudson R Jr. Plasma concentration of gentamicin in turtles. J Zoo Anim Med. 1985;16:136-139. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.217 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.2307/20094769 |
Marbofloxacin(Zeniquin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 2 mg/kg | not stated in source (single-dose study) | Bacterial infection (fluoroquinolone) | Strong | Lai OR, Marín P, Laricchiuta P, Gelli D, Escudero E, Crescenzo G. Pharmacokinetics of injectable marbofloxacin after intravenous and intramuscular administration in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2020;43(2):129-134. doi:10.1111/jvp.12803 https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/31393637 |
| IM, IV | 2 mg/kg | not stated in source | Bacterial infection (fluoroquinolone) | Moderate | Lai OR, Marin P, Laricchiuta P, et al. Pharmacokinetics of injectable marbofloxacin after intravenous and intramuscular administration in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2020;43:129-134. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Tobramycin
Uncategorized| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 10 mg/kg | q24-48h | Bacterial infection (aminoglycoside) | Weak | Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1404 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.268 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Other conditions in Red-eared Sliders
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.