Reptile · Trachemys scripta elegans · typical adult weight 0.20–2.20 kg
Ceftazidime is dosed at 20 mg/kg IM q5d in red-eared sliders, per Cerreta AJ, Lewbart GA, Dise DR, et al. Population pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime after a single intramuscular injection in wild turtles. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2018;41:495-501. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1111/jvp.12500. Ceftazidime is used in red-eared sliders for Bacterial infection (gram-negative, incl. Pseudomonas), Gram-negative bacterial infection (empiric third-generation cephalosporin). Routes documented in red-eared sliders: IM, SC. A typical adult red-eared slider weighs 0.20–2.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ceftazidime in red-eared sliders, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Fortaz
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 20 mg/kg | q5d | Bacterial infection (gram-negative, incl. Pseudomonas) | Moderate | Cerreta AJ, Lewbart GA, Dise DR, et al. Population pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime after a single intramuscular injection in wild turtles. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2018;41:495-501. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1111/jvp.12500 |
| SC | 20–40 mg/kg | single dose studied | Gram-negative bacterial infection (empiric third-generation cephalosporin) | Strong | Hiebert K, Cox S, Hawkins S. Subcutaneous administration of ceftazidime at 20 and 40 mg/kg produces theoretically therapeutic plasma concentrations for at least 120 hours in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(5):ajvr.23.11.0265. doi:10.2460/ajvr.23.11.0265 https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/38412607 |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to PBPs. Broad-spectrum with excellent gram-negative coverage including Pseudomonas.
Must reconstitute before use. Monitor for hypersensitivity reactions. Adjust dose in renal impairment.
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.
Ceftazidime dose ranges in red-eared sliders, with cited source references: IM 20 mg/kg q5d; SC 20–40 mg/kg single dose studied. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ceftazidime in red-eared sliders: IM, SC.
Ceftazidime is indicated in red-eared sliders for: Bacterial infection (gram-negative, incl. Pseudomonas), Gram-negative bacterial infection (empiric third-generation cephalosporin).
These are general warnings for Ceftazidime across species; consult the red-eared slider dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Must reconstitute before use. Monitor for hypersensitivity reactions. Adjust dose in renal impairment.
Why a species-specific page? Ceftazidime 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.