Coccidiosis in Russian Tortoises
Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
3 cited drugs treat Coccidiosis in russian tortoises: Sulfadimethoxine, Sulfamethoxydiazine, 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 russian tortoises — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Sulfadimethoxine(Albon)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 50 mg/kg | q24h × 3-5 days, then q48h prn | Coccidiosis | Weak | 246. Klingenberg RJ. Understanding Reptile Parasites, Advanced Vivarium Systems, Irvine, CA; 2007:1-200. — 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 |
Sulfamethoxydiazine
Uncategorized| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 40–80 mg/kg | 80 mg/kg once, then 40 mg/kg q 24 h for 5–7 d | Coccidial infections | Weak | Merck Veterinary Manual. Antimicrobial Drugs Used in Reptiles (dosing table). Rahway (NJ): Merck & Co.; accessed 2026. URL: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/antimicrobial-drugs-used-in-reptiles |
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole(Bactrim, TMS)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, IM, IV | 30 mg/kg | q24h x 2-14 days | Coccidiosis | Weak | 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). — 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; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 | 2026-08-13 RE-ANCHOR: the supporting row is carpenter Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles), "Trimethoprim-sulfonamides | 30 mg/kg PO q24 x2-14 days87,243 | Most species/coccidia, although this […]", with the block header "avoid potentiated sulfa drugs in cases of dehydration or renal dysfunction331". The previously cited Table 4.1 does NOT support this rule: its only 30 mg/kg PO trimethoprim-sulphonamide row is scoped "Bearded dragon" at q12h x14 days, and its trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole row is "30 mg/kg IM q24h264 | Reticulated python". CORRECTION to this rule's own notes: mader printed p.1194 does NOT print "30 mg/kg, PO, IM, IV, q 24 h" - it prints "10-30 mg/kg PO q24h99 | Most species/maintain hydration" and, chelonian-specific, "30 mg/kg IM q24h x 2 days, then q48h311 | Tortoises/PD". No IV route, and the PO figure is a RANGE. |
Other conditions in Russian 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.