Sedation in Bearded Dragons
Reptile · Pogona vitticeps · typical adult weight 0.38–0.51 kg
11 cited drugs treat Sedation in bearded dragons: Acepromazine, Alfaxalone, Butorphanol Injectable, Dexmedetomidine, Diazepam, Ketamine, Medetomidine, Midazolam, Midazolam Injectable, Tiletamine-Zolazepam Exotic, Xylazine.
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.
Acepromazine(PromAce, Atravet)
Sedative| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.05–0.25 mg/kg | not printed (preanaesthetic) | Preanaesthetic / sedation (can be used with ketamine) | Weak | 243. 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.234 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Alfaxalone(Alfaxan)
Anesthetic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM, SC, IV | 10–20 mg/kg | once | Single dose | Sedation | Moderate | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 4.7 (Preferred Injectable Sedation Protocols Used in Select Reptiles.301,400,430), LIZARDS section: "Alfaxalone | 10-30 mg/kg SC, IM, IV | Rapid sedation if administered IV, higher doses can […]". The served 10-20 mg/kg is a conservative subset of that printed lizard range. WITHDRAWN CLAIM: the previous citation asserted the figure was located in Table 4.5, but the only 10-20 mg/kg IM alfaxalone row in Table 4.5 is scoped to Horsfield's tortoises (males only) and red-eared slider turtles - chelonians, not any lizard.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Butorphanol Injectable(Torbugesic, Torbutrol Injectable)
Neurological| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.4–1 mg/kg | once, preanesthetic/sedation | As needed | Sedation and preanaesthetic | Extrapolated | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed., Table 4.6 (Analgesic including antiinflammatory agents used in reptiles), p.252; corroborated Mader's 3rd ed. p.1414 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Usedin Reptiles).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Dexmedetomidine(Dexdomitor, Sileo)
Anesthetic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.05–0.1 mg/kg | once | Single dose | Sedation | Extrapolated | Schumacher J, Mans C. Anesthesia. In: Mader DR, Divers SJ, eds. Current Therapy in Reptile Medicine and Surgery. St. Louis: WB Saunders; 2014:134-153.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Diazepam(Valium)
Sedative| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM, IV | 0.2–2 mg/kg | not stated in source | Sedation / muscle relaxation (used in conjunction with ketamine) | Weak | 420. Schumacher J, Yelen T. Anesthesia and analgesia. In: Mader DR, eds. Reptile Medicine and Surgery, 2nd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2006:442-452. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.238 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Ketamine(Ketaset, Vetalar)
Anesthetic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 20–40 mg/kg | once | Single dose | Sedation, anesthesia | Moderate | Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Medetomidine
Uncategorized| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.1–0.15 mg/kg | not printed | Sedation (alpha-2 agonist; poor immobilisation alone) | Weak | 63. Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.245Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Midazolam(Versed)
Anesthetic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 1–2 mg/kg | once | Single dose | Sedation | Moderate | Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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 JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Tiletamine-Zolazepam Exotic(Telazol Exotic)
Miscellaneous| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5–10 mg/kg | once | Single dose; prolonged recovery (4-24+ hours) in reptiles | Chemical restraint/Sedation | Moderate | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 4.5, Table 4.7 (the served figure is printed in each; all lie in the chapter covering this species). — CORRECTION: Table 4.7 does NOT carry this row. Table 4.7's only tiletamine/zolazepam entry is 5-15 mg/kg SC, IM printed under the CROCODILIANS heading and it governs no lizard. The citable location is Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles), where the printed row is "5-10 mg/kg IM | Most species".Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Xylazine(Rompun, AnaSed)
Sedative| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM, IV | 0.1–1.25 mg/kg | not printed | Preanaesthetic for ketamine / sedation | Weak | 63. Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.250 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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.