Reptile · Pogona vitticeps · typical adult weight 0.38–0.51 kg
Cefotaxime is dosed at 20–40 mg/kg IM q24h in bearded dragons, per 243. Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Cefotaxime is used in bearded dragons for Bacterial infection (may use with an aminoglycoside). Routes documented in bearded dragons: IM. A typical adult bearded dragon weighs 0.38–0.51 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cefotaxime in bearded dragons, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Claforan
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 20–40 mg/kg | q24h | Bacterial infection (may use with an aminoglycoside) | Weak | 243. Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your bearded dragon's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Third-generation cephalosporin with broad gram-negative activity including CNS penetration. Active metabolite (desacetylcefotaxime) provides additional activity.
Good CNS penetration for meningitis. May cause pain at injection site. Adjust dose in renal failure.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for bearded dragons may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Cefotaxime dose range in bearded dragons, with cited source references: IM 20–40 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Cefotaxime in bearded dragons: IM.
Cefotaxime is indicated in bearded dragons for: Bacterial infection (may use with an aminoglycoside).
These are general warnings for Cefotaxime across species; consult the bearded dragon dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Good CNS penetration for meningitis. May cause pain at injection site. Adjust dose in renal failure.
Why a species-specific page? Cefotaxime pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in bearded dragons — 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.