Bacterial Infections in Sulcata Tortoises
Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
7 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in sulcata tortoises: Ampicillin, Cefazolin, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Ciprofloxacin, Enrofloxacin, Oxytetracycline.
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 sulcata tortoises — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Ampicillin(Polyflex)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 50 mg/kg | q12h | Susceptible bacterial infection | Weak | Spörle H, Gobel T, Schildger B. Blood levels of some anti-infectives in the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo hermanni). Proc 4th Intl Colloq Path Med Rept Amph; 1991:120-128. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Cefazolin(Ancef, Kefzol)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 22 mg/kg | q24h | Susceptible 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.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Cefotaxime(Claforan)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 20–40 mg/kg | q24h | Susceptible 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) |
Ceftazidime(Fortaz)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 20–40 mg/kg | q48-72h | Susceptible gram-negative bacterial infection (incl. Pseudomonas) | 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.213 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Ciprofloxacin(Cipro, Baytril)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 10 mg/kg | q48h | Susceptible 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) |
Enrofloxacin(Baytril)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5 mg/kg | q24-48h | Susceptible gram-negative bacterial infection | Weak | Prezant RM, Isaza R, Jacobson ER. Plasma concentrations and disposition kinetics of enrofloxacin in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). J Zoo Wildl Med. 1994;25:82-87. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.216 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Oxytetracycline(Terramycin, Liquamycin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, IM, IV | 6–10 mg/kg | q24h | Susceptible 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.218 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Other conditions in Sulcata Tortoises
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.