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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 doi:10.1111/jvp.12500 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Invertebrate Medicine — ISBN 9781119569435, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781119569435. 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.213 doi:10.1111/jvp.12500 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Invertebrate Medicine — ISBN 9781119569435, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781119569435 |
| 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 |
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 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.1 | 20 mg/kg IM q48- 72h |
| 20–40 | SC | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.1 | 20-40 mg/kg SC, IM q48-72h,444,485 |
| 22 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.1 | 22 mg/kg IM q72h |
| 20–40 | SC | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.1 | 20-40 mg/kg SC, IM, q48-72h90,316,338 Most species/chameleons use q24h |
| 22 |
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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.
| IM |
| Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.1 |
| 22 mg/kg IM, IV q72h140,319 Sea turtles |
| 20 | SC | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.1 | 20 mg/kg SC, IM q48-72h52 |
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.