Reptile · Tiliqua scincoides · typical adult weight 0.25–0.60 kg
Dexamethasone is dosed at 0.2 mg/kg IM, IV q24h in blue-tongue skinks, 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.260 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Dexamethasone is used in blue-tongue skinks for Laryngeal or pharyngeal edema and inflammation. Routes documented in blue-tongue skinks: IM, IV. A typical adult blue-tongue skink weighs 0.25–0.60 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Dexamethasone in blue-tongue skinks, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Azium, Dexafort
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM, IV | 0.2 mg/kg | q24h | Laryngeal or pharyngeal edema and inflammation | 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.260 — 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.
The sources disagree for this combination. The ranges below do not overlap on a comparable route. This is not an error in one of them — published veterinary references differ, and reconciling them for a particular patient is a clinical judgement.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–4 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.110 | Inflammation, non-infectious respiratory disease: 2-4 mg/kg i.m., i.v. q24h for 3 days |
| 0.6–1.25 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.8 | 0.6-1.25 mg/kg IM, IV |
| 2–4 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.8 | 2-4 mg/kg IM, IV, IO q24h x 3 days |
| 0.1–0.25 | SC |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your blue-tongue skink's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Potent synthetic glucocorticoid. Suppresses inflammation, immune responses, and allergic reactions. 25-30x potency of cortisol.
Immunosuppressive. PU/PD, polyphagia. Avoid in active infections without antibiotic coverage. Prolonged use causes iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. Avoid in reptiles if possible (severe immunosuppression).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for blue-tongue skinks may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dexamethasone dose range in blue-tongue skinks, with cited source references: IM, IV 0.2 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dexamethasone in blue-tongue skinks: IM, IV.
Dexamethasone is indicated in blue-tongue skinks for: Laryngeal or pharyngeal edema and inflammation.
These are general warnings for Dexamethasone across species; consult the blue-tongue skink dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Immunosuppressive. PU/PD, polyphagia. Avoid in active infections without antibiotic coverage. Prolonged use causes iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. Avoid in reptiles if possible (severe immunosuppression).
Why a species-specific page? Dexamethasone pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in blue-tongue skinks — 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.
| Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.8 |
| 0.1-0.25 mg/kg SC, IM, IV |
| 0.2 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.8 | 0.2 mg/kg IM, IV q24h x days |
| 1.5 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.6 | 1.5 mg/kg IM, IV52 Shock |
| 0.2 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 | 0.2 mg/kg IM, IV297 Most species/laryngeal or pharyngeal edema and inflammation |
| 0.6–1.25 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 | 0.6-1.25 mg/kg IM, 89 Most species/shock (septic/traumatic) |
| 0.1–0.25 | SC | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 | 0.1-0.25 mg/kg SC, IM, IV99 Most species/shock (septic/traumatic) |
| 1.5 | SC | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.6 | 1.5 mg/kg SC, IM52 Vascularizing keratitis |
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.