Reptile · Eublepharis macularius · typical adult weight 0.04–0.10 kg
Alfaxalone is dosed at 5 mg/kg IV (jugular vein) single induction dose (frequency not stated) in leopard geckos, per 336. Morici M, DiGiuseppe M, Spadola F, et al. Intravenous alfaxalone anaesthesia in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). J Exot Pet Med. 2018;27:11-14. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.234 doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2017.08.008 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Alfaxalone is used in leopard geckos for Sedation for tracheal intubation, Sedation for physical examination and venipuncture. Routes documented in leopard geckos: IV (jugular vein), SC. A typical adult leopard gecko weighs 0.04–0.10 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Alfaxalone in leopard geckos, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Alfaxan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV (jugular vein) | 5 mg/kg | single induction dose (frequency not stated) | Sedation for tracheal intubation | Moderate | 336. Morici M, DiGiuseppe M, Spadola F, et al. Intravenous alfaxalone anaesthesia in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). J Exot Pet Med. 2018;27:11-14. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.234 doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2017.08.008 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
| SC | 15 mg/kg | single dose, combined with midazolam 1.0 mg/kg SC | Sedation for physical examination and venipuncture | Strong | Doss GA, Fink DM, Sladky KK, Mans C. Comparison of subcutaneous dexmedetomidine-midazolam versus alfaxalone-midazolam sedation in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2017;44(5):1175-1183. doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2017.03.007 https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/28882371 — SOURCE EDITION: Exotic Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine — ISBN 9781119149231, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781119149231 |
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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These ranges are per kg. Enter your leopard gecko'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 leopard geckos may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Alfaxalone dose ranges in leopard geckos, with cited source references: IV (jugular vein) 5 mg/kg single induction dose (frequency not stated); SC 15 mg/kg single dose, combined with midazolam 1.0 mg/kg SC. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Alfaxalone in leopard geckos: IV (jugular vein), SC.
Alfaxalone is indicated in leopard geckos for: Sedation for tracheal intubation, Sedation for physical examination and venipuncture.
These are general warnings for Alfaxalone across species; consult the leopard gecko 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 leopard geckos — 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 |
| 5 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 5 mg/kg IV (jugular vein)336 |
| 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 |
| 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.