Coccidiosis in Bearded Dragons
Reptile · Pogona vitticeps · typical adult weight 0.38–0.51 kg
5 cited drugs treat Coccidiosis in bearded dragons: Sulfadiazine, Sulfadimethoxine, Sulfamethazine, Toltrazuril, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole.
Protozoal infection of the intestinal tract caused by Eimeria, Isospora, and related coccidian organisms. Significant cause of diarrhoea, weight loss, and mortality in young livestock, poultry, and reptiles in particular.
The overview above describes Coccidiosis across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to bearded dragons — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Sulfadiazine
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 15–25 mg/kg | q24h | 7-14 days | Coccidia/protozoa (with trimethoprim) | 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. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.232 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Sulfadimethoxine(Albon)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 50 mg/kg | q24h x 21 days | Coccidia | Moderate | 478. Walden M, Mitchell MA. Evaluation of three treatment modalities against Isospora amphiboluri) in inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). J Exot Pet Med. 2012;21:213-218. / 477. Walden M. The Epidemiology of Coccidia in Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps), Louisiana State University, Dissertation, Baton Rouge, LA; 2008:1-145. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.232 doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2012.06.008 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles). 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 |
Sulfamethazine(Sulmet)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, IM | 25 mg/kg | q24h x 21 days | Coccidia | Weak | 396. Rockwell K, Mitchell MM. Antiparasitic therapy. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1165-1170. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.232 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles). 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 |
Toltrazuril(Baycox)
Antiparasitic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–15 mg/kg | q24h | Coccidiosis | Weak | 73. Doneley B. Caring for the bearded dragon. Proc North Am Vet Conf. 2006;1607-1611. — Source: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1407 — SOURCE EDITION: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 |
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole(Bactrim, TMS)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 15–25 mg/kg | q24h | Bacterial infections, coccidia | Extrapolated | Gibbons PM, Klaphake E, Carpenter JW. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, ed. Exotic Animal Formulary. 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2013:83-182. — Verified against Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1404 (2026-08-01). — 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 |
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.