Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
Cefotaxime is dosed at 20–40 mg/kg IM q24h in sulcata tortoises, per 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Cefotaxime is used in sulcata tortoises for Susceptible bacterial infection. Routes documented in sulcata tortoises: IM. A typical adult sulcata tortoise weighs 1.00–40.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cefotaxime in sulcata tortoises, 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 | Susceptible bacterial infection | Weak | 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table 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.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.73 | 20-40 mg/kg i.m. q24h |
| 20–40 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.1 | 20-40 mg/kg IM q24h 100 mg/10 mL saline x 30 min nebulization q24h |
| 20–40 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.1 | 20-40 mg/kg IM q24h99 100 mg/10 mL saline × 30 min nebulization q24h238 Most species/may use with an aminoglycoside Most species/pneumonia Continued 1191 |
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.
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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.
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 sulcata tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Cefotaxime dose range in sulcata tortoises, 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 sulcata tortoises: IM.
Cefotaxime is indicated in sulcata tortoises for: Susceptible bacterial infection.
These are general warnings for Cefotaxime across species; consult the sulcata tortoise 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 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.