Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Ampicillin is dosed at 50 mg/kg IM q 12 h in russian tortoises, per Spörle H, Gobel T, Schildger B. Blood levels of some anti-infectives in the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo hermanni). Proc 4th Intl Colloq Path Med Rept Amph; 1991:120-128. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). 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. Ampicillin is used in russian tortoises for Pharmacodynamic (blood-level) study dose in tortoises - Carpenter's prints this row as Tortoise/PD, the general reptile dose in the same block is 10-20 mg/kg PO, SC q12h. Routes documented in russian tortoises: IM. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ampicillin in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Polyflex
Contraindicated in Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 50 mg/kg | q 12 h | Pharmacodynamic (blood-level) study dose in tortoises - Carpenter's prints this row as Tortoise/PD, the general reptile dose in the same block is 10-20 mg/kg PO, SC q12h | Weak | Spörle H, Gobel T, Schildger B. Blood levels of some anti-infectives in the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo hermanni). Proc 4th Intl Colloq Path Med Rept Amph; 1991:120-128. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.212 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). 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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10–20 | SC | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.37 | 10-20 mg/kg s.c., i.m. q12-24h (most species); Hermann’s tortoises: 50 mg/kg i.m. q12h |
| 50 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.37 | /kg s.c., i.m. q12-24h (most species); Hermann’s tortoises: 50 mg/kg i.m. q12h |
| 50 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.1 | 50 mg/kg IM q12h |
| 10–20 |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your russian tortoise's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins. Broader spectrum than penicillin G with gram-negative coverage.
CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). May cause GI upset. Cross-reactivity with other beta-lactams. IM injection may be painful.
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.
Ampicillin dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: IM 50 mg/kg q 12 h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ampicillin in russian tortoises: IM.
Ampicillin is indicated in russian tortoises for: Pharmacodynamic (blood-level) study dose in tortoises - Carpenter's prints this row as Tortoise/PD, the general reptile dose in the same block is 10-20 mg/kg PO, SC q12h.
These are general warnings for Ampicillin 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. IM injection may be painful.
Why a species-specific page? Ampicillin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in russian tortoises — 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.
| SC |
| Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.1 |
| 10-20 mg/kg SC, IM q12h,243 |
| 50 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.1 | 50 mg/kg IM q12h311 Tortoises/PD |
| 10–20 | SC | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.1 | 10-20 mg/kg SC, IM q12h148 Most species, including chameleons |
| 50 | SC | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.1 | 50 mg/kg SC, IM q12h297 Chelonians |
| 20 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.1 | 20 mg/kg IM q24h99 Tortoises |
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.