Alfaxalone for Blue-tongue Skinks
Reptile · Tiliqua scincoides · typical adult weight 0.25–0.60 kg
Alfaxalone is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg IM See source in blue-tongue skinks, per Thompson S, Knotek Z, Corriveau L, Inoue T. Snake Anesthesia and Analgesia: A Review. In: DiGirolamo N, Stark W III, Waffa B (mods). ARAV Anesthesia and Analgesia, Section 26. 2016 ARAV Conference Proceedings (Building Exotics Excellence: One City, One Conference), p. 707. No DOI/PMID (conference proceedings). URL: https://cdn.ymaws.com/members.arav.org/resource/resmgr/files/proceedings_2016/Chapter_26_-_Anesthesia_and_.pdf. Alfaxalone is used in blue-tongue skinks for Anesthesia / immobilization (induction), Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone alone (group A), Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone + dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group ADM). Routes documented in blue-tongue skinks: IM, SC. A typical adult blue-tongue skink weighs 0.25–0.60 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Alfaxalone in blue-tongue skinks, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Alfaxan
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5–10 mg/kg | See source | Anesthesia / immobilization (induction) | Anecdotal | Thompson S, Knotek Z, Corriveau L, Inoue T. Snake Anesthesia and Analgesia: A Review. In: DiGirolamo N, Stark W III, Waffa B (mods). ARAV Anesthesia and Analgesia, Section 26. 2016 ARAV Conference Proceedings (Building Exotics Excellence: One City, One Conference), p. 707. No DOI/PMID (conference proceedings). URL: https://cdn.ymaws.com/members.arav.org/resource/resmgr/files/proceedings_2016/Chapter_26_-_Anesthesia_and_.pdf |
| SC | 20 mg/kg | See source | Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone alone (group A) | Weak | Evaluating the Physiologic Effects of Alfaxalone, Dexmedetomidine, and Midazolam Combinations in Common Blue-Tongued Skinks (Tiliqua scincoides). Animals 2024, 14(18), 2636. DOI 10.3390/ani14182636; PMID 39335227; PMCID PMC11429061. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11429061/ |
| SC | 5 mg/kg | See source | Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone + dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group ADM) | Weak | Evaluating the Physiologic Effects of Alfaxalone, Dexmedetomidine, and Midazolam Combinations in Common Blue-Tongued Skinks (Tiliqua scincoides). Animals 2024, 14(18), 2636. DOI 10.3390/ani14182636; PMID 39335227; PMCID PMC11429061. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11429061/ |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your blue-tongue skink's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Mechanism of action
Neuroactive steroid that modulates GABA-A receptors, producing dose-dependent sedation to general anesthesia.
Side effects & warnings
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 blue-tongue skinks may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dose of Alfaxalone for Blue-tongue Skinks?
Alfaxalone dose ranges in blue-tongue skinks, with cited source references: IM 5–10 mg/kg See source; SC 20 mg/kg See source; SC 5 mg/kg See source.
How is Alfaxalone administered in Blue-tongue Skinks?
Documented routes for Alfaxalone in blue-tongue skinks: IM, SC.
What conditions does Alfaxalone treat in Blue-tongue Skinks?
Alfaxalone is indicated in blue-tongue skinks for: Anesthesia / immobilization (induction), Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone alone (group A), Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone + dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group ADM).
What are the side effects of Alfaxalone in Blue-tongue Skinks?
These are general warnings for Alfaxalone across species; consult the blue-tongue skink 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.
Other Anesthetic drugs with blue-tongue skink dosing
Alfaxalone dosing in other 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 blue-tongue skinks — 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.