Reptile · Iguana iguana · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg
Alfaxalone is dosed at 10–30 mg/kg IM single dose titrated to the depth required in green iguanas, per Bertelsen MF, Sauer CD. Alfaxalone anaesthesia in the green iguana (Iguana iguana). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2011;38(5):461-466. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2995.2011.00640.x https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/21831051. Alfaxalone is used in green iguanas for Sedation to general anaesthesia, Sedation / surgical anaesthesia. Routes documented in green iguanas: IM. A typical adult green iguana weighs 1.00–5.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Alfaxalone in green iguanas, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Alfaxan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 10–30 mg/kg | single dose titrated to the depth required | Sedation to general anaesthesia | Strong | Bertelsen MF, Sauer CD. Alfaxalone anaesthesia in the green iguana (Iguana iguana). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2011;38(5):461-466. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2995.2011.00640.x https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/21831051 |
| IM | 10–30 mg/kg | single dose (10 mg/kg light sedation, up to 30 mg/ | Sedation / surgical anaesthesia | Moderate | Bertelsen MF and Sauer CD (2011) Alfaxalone anaesthesia in the green iguana (Iguana iguana). Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 38(5), 461-466 — Mined from BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets, p.344 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your green iguana'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 green iguanas may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Alfaxalone dose ranges in green iguanas, with cited source references: IM 10–30 mg/kg single dose titrated to the depth required; IM 10–30 mg/kg single dose (10 mg/kg light sedation, up to 30 mg/. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Alfaxalone in green iguanas: IM.
Alfaxalone is indicated in green iguanas for: Sedation to general anaesthesia, Sedation / surgical anaesthesia.
These are general warnings for Alfaxalone across species; consult the green iguana 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 green iguanas — 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.