Cefuroxime for Russian Tortoises

Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg

Cefuroxime is dosed at 100 mg/kg IM q 24 h for 10 d in russian tortoises, per Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets, p.78 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.78' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.64; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.64. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712. Cefuroxime (Antibiotic) has cited veterinary dosing for russian tortoises. Routes documented in russian tortoises: IM. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Cefuroxime in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Zinacef, Ceftin

Contraindicated in Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu

Rabbit: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsOral amoxicillin (and other oral beta-lactams) selectively destroy gram-positive hindgut flora in rabbits, allowing Clostridium spiroforme overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never administer oral beta-lactams to rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route, but is not established as safe in rabbits.
Guinea Pig: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsOral amoxicillin reliably causes Clostridium difficile-mediated fatal enterotoxemia in guinea pigs. Same mechanism as in rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route; parenteral ceftiofur specifically has been given to guinea pigs and chinchillas without adverse effect.
Chinchilla: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasChinchillas are hindgut fermenters with the same flora dependence as rabbits and guinea pigs. Oral penicillins and oral cephalosporins trigger Clostridium overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never give oral beta-lactams; parenteral routes and trimethoprim-sulfa, fluoroquinolones, or chloramphenicol are the safer choices.
Hamster: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal enterocolitis in hamstersHamsters are exquisitely susceptible to antibiotic-associated Clostridium difficile enterocolitis — the hamster is the classic laboratory model for it. Oral penicillins and cephalosporins are reliably fatal. Never administer oral beta-lactams.
Degu: Oral beta-lactams risk fatal dysbiosis in degusDegus are caviomorph hindgut fermenters closely related to chinchillas and guinea pigs. Degu-specific data is limited, so this warning is extrapolated from those related hystricomorphs — but the shared physiology makes oral beta-lactam enterotoxemia the expected outcome. Treat as contraindicated; use the safer alternatives.

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	100 mg/kg	q 24 h for 10 d	—	Weak	Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets, p.78 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.78' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.64; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.64. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712

What each reference text prints

Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.

Printed doses in mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
100	IM	BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.78	100 mg/kg i.m. q24h for 10 days at 30°C.
100	IM	Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.1	100 mg/kg IM q24h70 Most species/30°C (86°F)

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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Mechanism of action

Second-generation cephalosporin with improved gram-negative coverage and beta-lactamase stability compared to first generation.

Side effects & warnings

Oral absorption enhanced with food. May cause GI upset. Limited veterinary use data.

Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for russian tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Cefuroxime for Russian Tortoises?

Cefuroxime dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: IM 100 mg/kg q 24 h for 10 d. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Cefuroxime administered in Russian Tortoises?

Documented routes for Cefuroxime in russian tortoises: IM.

What are the side effects of Cefuroxime in Russian Tortoises?

These are general warnings for Cefuroxime across species; consult the russian tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Oral absorption enhanced with food. May cause GI upset. Limited veterinary use data.

Other Antibiotic drugs with russian tortoise dosing

Amoxicillin Ampicillin Carbenicillin Cefazolin Cefotaxime Ceftazidime Ceftiofur Ciprofloxacin Clindamycin Enrofloxacin Metronidazole Neomycin

Cefuroxime dosing in other species

Dogs

See all species for Cefuroxime See all drugs for Russian Tortoises

Why a species-specific page? Cefuroxime pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in russian 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.