Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
Bupivacaine is dosed at 1 mg/kg intrathecal not stated in source in sulcata tortoises, per Mans C. Clinical technique: intrathecal drug administration in turtles and tortoises. J Exot Pet Med. 2014;23:67-70. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.252 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Bupivacaine is used in sulcata tortoises for Regional analgesia/anesthesia of the caudal body (cloaca, genitals, hind limbs). Routes documented in sulcata tortoises: intrathecal. A typical adult sulcata tortoise weighs 1.00–40.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Bupivacaine in sulcata tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Marcaine, Nocita
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| intrathecal | 1 mg/kg | not stated in source | Regional analgesia/anesthesia of the caudal body (cloaca, genitals, hind limbs) | Moderate | Mans C. Clinical technique: intrathecal drug administration in turtles and tortoises. J Exot Pet Med. 2014;23:67-70. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.252 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your sulcata tortoise's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Long-acting amide local anesthetic blocking voltage-gated sodium channels. Duration 4-8 hours (standard) or 72 hours (Nocita liposomal).
Nocita (liposomal bupivacaine) FDA-approved for post-op pain in dogs/cats. Cardiotoxic if inadvertently given IV. Do not use with epinephrine on digits/tail.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for sulcata tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Bupivacaine dose range in sulcata tortoises, with cited source references: intrathecal 1 mg/kg not stated in source. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Bupivacaine in sulcata tortoises: intrathecal.
Bupivacaine is indicated in sulcata tortoises for: Regional analgesia/anesthesia of the caudal body (cloaca, genitals, hind limbs).
These are general warnings for Bupivacaine across species; consult the sulcata tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Nocita (liposomal bupivacaine) FDA-approved for post-op pain in dogs/cats. Cardiotoxic if inadvertently given IV. Do not use with epinephrine on digits/tail.
Why a species-specific page? Bupivacaine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in sulcata 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.