Reptile · Pantherophis guttatus · typical adult weight 0.20–0.90 kg
Dexamethasone is dosed at 0.2 mg/kg IM, IV q24h x 3 days in corn snakes, 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 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Dexamethasone is used in corn snakes for Laryngeal or pharyngeal oedema and inflammation. Routes documented in corn snakes: IM, IV. A typical adult corn snake weighs 0.20–0.90 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Dexamethasone in corn snakes, 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 x 3 days | Laryngeal or pharyngeal oedema 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 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — 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 corn snake'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 corn snakes may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dexamethasone dose range in corn snakes, with cited source references: IM, IV 0.2 mg/kg q24h x 3 days. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dexamethasone in corn snakes: IM, IV.
Dexamethasone is indicated in corn snakes for: Laryngeal or pharyngeal oedema and inflammation.
These are general warnings for Dexamethasone across species; consult the corn snake 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 corn snakes — 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.