Reptile · Pogona vitticeps · typical adult weight 0.38–0.51 kg
Alfaxalone Injectable is dosed at 5 mg/kg IV once (induction) in bearded dragons, per Knotek Z. Induction to inhalation anesthesia in agamid lizards with alfaxalone. Vet Med (Praha). 2017,62:41-43. - read in Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed (Divers and Stahl), Ch.49 General Anesthesia, TABLE 49.2 'Anesthetic Protocols Reported in Lizards', printed p.452, superscript 77: 'Alfaxalone | Bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), Chinese water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus) | 5 | IV | Induction agent, allows for endotracheal intubation in all animals. Loss of righting reflex within 12-45 seconds.' NOTE: Carpenter's Table 4.5 does NOT print a 5 mg/kg IV alfaxalone row for bearded dragons - its bearded-dragon IV row is 12 mg/kg (ref 366, Perrin and Bertelsen 2017).. Alfaxalone Injectable is used in bearded dragons for Anesthesia induction. Routes documented in bearded dragons: IV. A typical adult bearded dragon weighs 0.38–0.51 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Alfaxalone Injectable in bearded dragons, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Alfaxan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 5 mg/kg | once (induction) | Single dose | Anesthesia induction |
| Knotek Z. Induction to inhalation anesthesia in agamid lizards with alfaxalone. Vet Med (Praha). 2017,62:41-43. - read in Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed (Divers and Stahl), Ch.49 General Anesthesia, TABLE 49.2 'Anesthetic Protocols Reported in Lizards', printed p.452, superscript 77: 'Alfaxalone | Bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), Chinese water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus) | 5 | IV | Induction agent, allows for endotracheal intubation in all animals. Loss of righting reflex within 12-45 seconds.' NOTE: Carpenter's Table 4.5 does NOT print a 5 mg/kg IV alfaxalone row for bearded dragons - its bearded-dragon IV row is 12 mg/kg (ref 366, Perrin and Bertelsen 2017). |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
The sources disagree for this combination. The ranges below do not overlap on a comparable route. This is not an error in one of them — published veterinary references differ, and reconciling them for a particular patient is a clinical judgement.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–9 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.23 | 5-9 mg/kg i.v., intraosseous for induction (light sedation) up to 30 mg/kg i.m. for surgical anaest |
| 30 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.23 | /kg i.v., intraosseous for induction (light sedation) up to 30 mg/kg i.m. for surgical anaesthesia. Effects are dependent on species and temperature |
| 6–15 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 6-15 mg/kg IM, IV |
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Neuroactive steroid modulating GABA-A receptor. Produces rapid, smooth induction with minimal cardiovascular depression. IM route possible in cats and exotics.
FDA-approved for dogs and cats. IM route useful in fractious cats and exotic species. Apnea possible with rapid IV. Good muscle relaxation. Smooth recovery.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for bearded dragons may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Alfaxalone Injectable dose range in bearded dragons, with cited source references: IV 5 mg/kg once (induction). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Alfaxalone Injectable in bearded dragons: IV.
Cited course lengths for Alfaxalone Injectable in bearded dragons include: Single dose. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Alfaxalone Injectable is indicated in bearded dragons for: Anesthesia induction.
These are general warnings for Alfaxalone Injectable across species; consult the bearded dragon dosing table above for species-specific guidance. FDA-approved for dogs and cats. IM route useful in fractious cats and exotic species. Apnea possible with rapid IV. Good muscle relaxation. Smooth recovery.
Why a species-specific page? Alfaxalone Injectable pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in bearded dragons — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.
| 9 |
| IV |
| Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 |
| 9 mg/kg IV |
| 15 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 15 mg/kg IM |
| 12 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 12 mg/kg IV |
| 3 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 3 mg/kg IV |
| 6–9 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 6-9 mg/kg IV, or 9- 15 mg/kg IM |
| 9–15 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 6-9 mg/kg IV, or 9- 15 mg/kg IM |
| 6–9 | IV | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.4 | 6-9 mg/kg IV, or 9-15 mg/kg IM182 Most species/good muscle relaxation; variable results; drug requires more evaluation; may have violent recovery;198don’t use within 10 days of DMS |
| 9–15 | IV | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.4 | 6-9 mg/kg IV, or 9-15 mg/kg IM182 Most species/good muscle relaxation; variable results; drug requires more evaluation; may have violent recovery;198don’t use within 10 days of DMS |
| 6–15 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.4 | 6-15 mg/kg IM, IV298 Most species |
| 9 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.4 | 9 mg/kg IV290 Snakes, lizards/induction; not effective for blotched blue-tongued skinks |
| 12 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.4 | 12 mg/kg IV262 Bearded dragons/effective for induction of anesthesia; respiratory depression noted |
| 15 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.4 | 15 mg/kg IM229 Lizards, chelonians/induction, 35-40 min; duration, 15-35 min; good muscle relaxation; variable results |
| 3 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.4 | 3 mg/kg IV252 Crocodilians/induction, but unpredictable results |
| 5–25 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.4 | 5-25 mg/kg IM (Lennox, Proc ARAV, 2013, pp 66-68) Most species/recommend starting at lower dose (5-10 mg/kg) and titrating up |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.