Sedation in Russian Tortoises

Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg

6 cited drugs treat Sedation in russian tortoises: Acepromazine, Alfaxalone, Butorphanol, Ketamine, Midazolam, Tiletamine-Zolazepam.

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 russian tortoises — 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 stated in source	Preanaesthetic sedation	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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.234 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Acepromazine dosing in Russian Tortoises →Calculate for this russian tortoise →

Alfaxalone(Alfaxan)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	10–20 mg/kg	single dose (sedation)	Sedation / chemical restraint	Moderate	174. Hansen LL, Bertelsen MF. Assessment of the effects of intramuscular administration of alfaxalone with and without medetomidine in Horsfield's tortoises (Agrionemys horsfieldii). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2013;40:68-75. \| 240. Kischinovsky M, Duse A, Wang T, et al. Intramuscular administration of alfaxalone in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) - effects of dose and body temperature. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2013;40:13-20. \| 425. Shepard MK, Divers S, Braun C, et al. Pharmacodynamics of alfaxalone after single-dose intramuscular administration in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans): a comparison of two different doses at two different ambient temperatures. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2013;40:590-598. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.235 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1111/vaa.12045

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Butorphanol(Torbugesic, Torbutrol)

Analgesic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.2 mg/kg	single dose	Sedation (minimal)	Weak	182. Heard DJ. Principles and techniques of anesthesia and analgesia for exotic practice. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1993;23:1301-1327. \| 386. Raphael BL. Chelonians. In: Fowler ME, Miller RE, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 5th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2003:48-58. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.236 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)
SC, IM	0.4–1 mg/kg	single dose (preanaesthetic)	Sedation; preanaesthetic	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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.236 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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Ketamine(Ketaset, Vetalar)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	10–20 mg/kg	single dose	Sedation	Weak	330. Mitchell M. Ophidia. In: Fowler ME, Miller RE, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 5th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2003:82-91. \| 331. Mitchell MA. Therapeutics. In: Mader DR, eds. Reptile Medicine and Surgery, 2nd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2006:631-664. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.242 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

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Midazolam(Versed)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	2 mg/kg	single dose (preanaesthetic)	Preanaesthetic 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. \| 327. Miller LJ, Fetterer DP, Garza NL, et al. A fixed moderate-dose combination of tiletamine+zolazepam outperforms midazolam in induction of short-term immobilization of ball pythons (Python regius). PLoS ONE. 2018;13:1-15. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.246 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Midazolam dosing in Russian Tortoises →Calculate for this russian tortoise →

Tiletamine-Zolazepam(Telazol)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	3.5–14 mg/kg	single dose	Sedation	Weak	328. Millichamp NJ. Surgical techniques in reptiles. In: Jacobson ER, Kollias GV Jr., eds. Exotic Animals; Churchill Livingstone, New York, NY; 1988:49-74. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.250 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Tiletamine-Zolazepam dosing in Russian Tortoises →Calculate for this russian tortoise →

All drugs cited for Sedation →All drugs for Russian Tortoises →

Other conditions in Russian Tortoises

Bacterial Infections Endoparasites Pain Management Systemic Fungal Infections Coccidiosis GI Stasis (Ileus)

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.