Amoxicillin for Russian Tortoises

Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg

Amoxicillin is dosed at 22 mg/kg PO q12-24h in russian tortoises, per 107. Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Amoxicillin is used in russian tortoises for Bacterial infection (used with an aminoglycoside), Bacterial infection. Routes documented in russian tortoises: PO, PO, IM. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Amoxicillin in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Amoxi-Tabs, Amoxil

Contraindicated in Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu

Rabbit: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsOral amoxicillin (and other oral beta-lactams) selectively destroy gram-positive hindgut flora in rabbits, allowing Clostridium spiroforme overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never administer oral beta-lactams to rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route, but is not established as safe in rabbits.
Guinea Pig: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsOral amoxicillin reliably causes Clostridium difficile-mediated fatal enterotoxemia in guinea pigs. Same mechanism as in rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route; parenteral ceftiofur specifically has been given to guinea pigs and chinchillas without adverse effect.

Chinchilla: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasChinchillas are hindgut fermenters with the same flora dependence as rabbits and guinea pigs. Oral penicillins and oral cephalosporins trigger Clostridium overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never give oral beta-lactams; parenteral routes and trimethoprim-sulfa, fluoroquinolones, or chloramphenicol are the safer choices.

Degu: Oral beta-lactams risk fatal dysbiosis in degusDegus are caviomorph hindgut fermenters closely related to chinchillas and guinea pigs. Degu-specific data is limited, so this warning is extrapolated from those related hystricomorphs — but the shared physiology makes oral beta-lactam enterotoxemia the expected outcome. Treat as contraindicated; use the safer alternatives.

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	22 mg/kg	q12-24h	Bacterial infection (used with an aminoglycoside)	Weak	107. Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)
PO, IM	5–10 mg/kg	q12-24h	Bacterial infection	Weak	184. Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, UK; 2020. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Side effects & warnings

CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). May cause GI upset. Cross-reactivity with other beta-lactams.

Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for russian tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Amoxicillin for Russian Tortoises?

Amoxicillin dose ranges in russian tortoises, with cited source references: PO 22 mg/kg q12-24h; PO, IM 5–10 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Amoxicillin administered in Russian Tortoises?

Documented routes for Amoxicillin in russian tortoises: PO, PO, IM.

What conditions does Amoxicillin treat in Russian Tortoises?

Amoxicillin is indicated in russian tortoises for: Bacterial infection (used with an aminoglycoside), Bacterial infection.

What are the side effects of Amoxicillin in Russian Tortoises?

These are general warnings for Amoxicillin across species; consult the russian tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). May cause GI upset. Cross-reactivity with other beta-lactams.