Reptile · Python regius · typical adult weight 1.00–2.00 kg
Alfaxalone is dosed at 10–20 mg/kg IM once in ball pythons, per James LE, Williams CJ.A, Bertelsen MF, et al. Anaesthetic induction with alfaxalone in the ball python (Python regius): dose response and effect of injection site. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2018;45:329-337. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.234 (2026-08-01).. Alfaxalone is used in ball pythons for Sedation, Anesthetic induction. Routes documented in ball pythons: IM, IV. A typical adult ball python weighs 1.00–2.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Alfaxalone in ball pythons, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Alfaxan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 10–20 mg/kg | once | Single dose | Sedation | Moderate | James LE, Williams CJ.A, Bertelsen MF, et al. Anaesthetic induction with alfaxalone in the ball python (Python regius): dose response and effect of injection site. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2018;45:329-337. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.234 (2026-08-01). |
| IV | 5–15 mg/kg | once | Single dose | Anesthetic induction | Moderate | James LE, Williams CJ.A, Bertelsen MF, et al. Anaesthetic induction with alfaxalone in the ball python (Python regius): dose response and effect of injection site. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2018;45:329-337.; Yaw TJ, Mans C, Johnson SM, et al. Effect of injection site on alfaxalone-induced sedation in ball pythons (Python regius). J Sm Anim Pract. 2018. doi:10.1111/jsap.12918 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.234 (2026-08-01). |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your ball python's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Neuroactive steroid that modulates GABA-A receptors, producing dose-dependent sedation to general anesthesia.
Apnea with rapid IV injection — titrate slowly. No analgesic properties. Short shelf life once broached (use within 6 hours unless preserved formulation). Good safety profile in exotic species.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for ball pythons may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Alfaxalone dose ranges in ball pythons, with cited source references: IM 10–20 mg/kg once; IV 5–15 mg/kg once. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Alfaxalone in ball pythons: IM, IV.
Cited course lengths for Alfaxalone in ball pythons include: Single dose. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Alfaxalone is indicated in ball pythons for: Sedation, Anesthetic induction.
These are general warnings for Alfaxalone across species; consult the ball python dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Apnea with rapid IV injection — titrate slowly. No analgesic properties. Short shelf life once broached (use within 6 hours unless preserved formulation). Good safety profile in exotic species.
Why a species-specific page? Alfaxalone pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in ball pythons — 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.