Reptile · Trachemys scripta elegans · typical adult weight 0.20–2.20 kg
Atropine is dosed at 0.01–0.04 mg/kg SC, IM, IV, ICe once (preanesthetic) in red-eared sliders, per Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.236 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Atropine is used in red-eared sliders for Preanesthetic / bradycardia. Routes documented in red-eared sliders: SC, IM, IV, ICe. A typical adult red-eared slider weighs 0.20–2.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Atropine in red-eared sliders, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM, IV, ICe | 0.01–0.04 mg/kg | once (preanesthetic) | Preanesthetic / bradycardia | Weak | Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.236 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your red-eared slider's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist. Increases heart rate (vagolytic), reduces secretions, and mydriasis.
Tachycardia, ileus, urinary retention. Increases myocardial oxygen demand. Rabbits have high atropinase activity — may need higher/more frequent doses or use glycopyrrolate instead.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for red-eared sliders may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Atropine dose range in red-eared sliders, with cited source references: SC, IM, IV, ICe 0.01–0.04 mg/kg once (preanesthetic). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Atropine in red-eared sliders: SC, IM, IV, ICe.
Atropine is indicated in red-eared sliders for: Preanesthetic / bradycardia.
These are general warnings for Atropine across species; consult the red-eared slider dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Tachycardia, ileus, urinary retention. Increases myocardial oxygen demand. Rabbits have high atropinase activity — may need higher/more frequent doses or use glycopyrrolate instead.
Why a species-specific page? Atropine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in red-eared sliders — 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.