Clindamycin for Russian Tortoises

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

Clindamycin is dosed at 5 mg/kg PO q 12 h in russian tortoises, per Merck Veterinary Manual. Antimicrobial Drugs Used in Reptiles (dosing table). Rahway (NJ): Merck & Co.; accessed 2026. URL: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/antimicrobial-drugs-used-in-reptiles. Clindamycin (Antibiotic) has cited veterinary dosing for russian tortoises. Routes documented in russian tortoises: PO. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Clindamycin in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Antirobe, Cleocin

Contraindicated in Mouse, Pet Rat, Gerbil, Prairie Dog, Horse (Equine), Cattle / Sheep / Goat, Rabbit, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu, Guinea Pig

Mouse: Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in MousePlumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
Pet Rat: Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in Pet RatPlumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
Gerbil: Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in GerbilPlumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
Prairie Dog: Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in Prairie DogPlumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
Horse (Equine): Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in Horse (Equine)Plumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
Cattle / Sheep / Goat: Lincosamides cause fatal diarrhea in Cattle / Sheep / GoatPlumb's states of the lincosamides: "Do NOT give this medicine to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, as it may cause fatal diarrhea," and elsewhere that "the lincosamides are considered contraindicated for use in horses, ruminants, rabbits." The mechanism is the same selective destruction of gram-positive gut flora that kills rabbits. Added 2026-08-11 after an audit found this species unreachable by any token, so this warning could never fire for it.
Rabbit: Oral lincosamides cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsSame mechanism as oral beta-lactams — selective destruction of gram-positive hindgut flora. Never administer oral clindamycin or lincomycin to rabbits.
Chinchilla: Oral lincosamides cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasClindamycin and lincomycin destroy gram-positive hindgut flora and precipitate fatal Clostridium enterotoxemia in chinchillas. Never administer.
Hamster: Oral lincosamides cause fatal enterocolitis in hamstersClindamycin and lincomycin are among the antibiotics that induce fatal Clostridium difficile enterocolitis in hamsters. Never administer.
Degu: Oral lincosamides risk fatal dysbiosis in degusExtrapolated from chinchillas and guinea pigs (shared caviomorph hindgut physiology): oral clindamycin/lincomycin should be treated as contraindicated in degus.
Guinea Pig: Oral lincosamides cause fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsClindamycin and lincomycin cause the same fatal Clostridium enterotoxemia in guinea pigs as oral beta-lactams. Never administer.

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	5 mg/kg	q 12 h	—	Weak	Merck Veterinary Manual. Antimicrobial Drugs Used in Reptiles (dosing table). Rahway (NJ): Merck & Co.; accessed 2026. URL: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/antimicrobial-drugs-used-in-reptiles

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
2.5–5	PO	BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.95	2.5-5 mg/kg p.o. q24h

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

Binds 50S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Bacteriostatic; bactericidal at high concentrations.

Side effects & warnings

CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and chinchillas (fatal dysbiosis). Good bone penetration. May cause GI upset, esophagitis in cats.

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 Clindamycin for Russian Tortoises?

Clindamycin dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: PO 5 mg/kg q 12 h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Clindamycin administered in Russian Tortoises?

Documented routes for Clindamycin in russian tortoises: PO.

What are the side effects of Clindamycin in Russian Tortoises?

These are general warnings for Clindamycin across species; consult the russian tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and chinchillas (fatal dysbiosis). Good bone penetration. May cause GI upset, esophagitis in cats.

Other Antibiotic drugs with russian tortoise dosing

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

Clindamycin dosing in other species

African Grey Parrots African Pygmy Hedgehogs Cats Dogs Domestic Pigeons Ferrets Lovebirds Mice

See all species for Clindamycin See all drugs for Russian Tortoises

Why a species-specific page? Clindamycin 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.