Sedation in Bearded Dragons

Reptile · Pogona vitticeps · typical adult weight 0.38–0.51 kg

7 cited drugs treat Sedation in bearded dragons: Alfaxalone, Dexmedetomidine, Ketamine, Metomidate, Midazolam, Midazolam Injectable, Tiletamine-Zolazepam Exotic.

Pharmacologic sedation for diagnostic procedures, minor surgical interventions, and pre-anaesthetic premedi-cation. α2 agonists (dexmedetomidine, medetomidine), phenothiazines (acepromazine), and benzodiazepines (midazolam) form the backbone of veterinary protocols.

The overview above describes Sedation across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to bearded dragons — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Alfaxalone(Alfaxan)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	10–20 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Sedation	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Alfaxalone dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Dexmedetomidine(Dexdomitor, Sileo)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.05–0.1 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Sedation	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Dexmedetomidine dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Ketamine(Ketaset, Vetalar)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	20–40 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Sedation, anesthesia	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Ketamine dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Metomidate(Aquacalm)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IMMERSION	0 5-10 mg/L water bath	Single immersion	Until sedation achieved (species dependent)	Aquatic species sedation (applicable to semi-aquatic reptiles)	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Metomidate dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Midazolam(Versed)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	1–2 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Sedation	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Midazolam dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Midazolam Injectable(Versed)

Neurological

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	1–2 mg/kg	IM, repeat as needed	As needed	Sedation, seizures	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Midazolam Injectable dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

Tiletamine-Zolazepam Exotic(Telazol Exotic)

Miscellaneous

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	5–15 mg/kg	Single IM dose	Single dose; prolonged recovery (4-24+ hours) in reptiles	Chemical restraint/Sedation	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Tiletamine-Zolazepam Exotic dosing in Bearded Dragons →Calculate for this bearded dragon →

All drugs cited for Sedation →All drugs for Bearded Dragons →

Other conditions in Bearded Dragons

Bacterial Infections Endoparasites Pain Management Systemic Fungal Infections General Anesthesia Coccidiosis Cryptosporidiosis Ectoparasites

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.