Dexmedetomidine for Blue-tongue Skinks
Reptile · Tiliqua scincoides · typical adult weight 0.25–0.60 kg
Dexmedetomidine is dosed at 0.1 mg/kg SC See source in blue-tongue skinks, per Evaluating the Physiologic Effects of Alfaxalone, Dexmedetomidine, and Midazolam Combinations in Common Blue-Tongued Skinks (Tiliqua scincoides). Animals 2024, 14(18), 2636. DOI 10.3390/ani14182636; PMID 39335227; PMCID PMC11429061. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11429061/. Dexmedetomidine is used in blue-tongue skinks for Sedation/anesthesia — dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group DM), Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone + dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group ADM). Routes documented in blue-tongue skinks: SC. A typical adult blue-tongue skink weighs 0.25–0.60 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Dexmedetomidine in blue-tongue skinks, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Dexdomitor, Sileo
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 0.1 mg/kg | See source | Sedation/anesthesia — dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group DM) | Weak | Evaluating the Physiologic Effects of Alfaxalone, Dexmedetomidine, and Midazolam Combinations in Common Blue-Tongued Skinks (Tiliqua scincoides). Animals 2024, 14(18), 2636. DOI 10.3390/ani14182636; PMID 39335227; PMCID PMC11429061. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11429061/ |
| SC | 0.05 mg/kg | See source | Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone + dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group ADM) | Weak | Evaluating the Physiologic Effects of Alfaxalone, Dexmedetomidine, and Midazolam Combinations in Common Blue-Tongued Skinks (Tiliqua scincoides). Animals 2024, 14(18), 2636. DOI 10.3390/ani14182636; PMID 39335227; PMCID PMC11429061. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11429061/ |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Mechanism of action
Selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Produces dose-dependent sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation via CNS depression.
Side effects & warnings
Profound cardiovascular effects: initial hypertension then hypotension, bradycardia. Avoid in animals with cardiac disease, hepatic or renal disease. Reversible with atipamezole. Vomiting common after IM injection.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dose of Dexmedetomidine for Blue-tongue Skinks?
Dexmedetomidine dose ranges in blue-tongue skinks, with cited source references: SC 0.1 mg/kg See source; SC 0.05 mg/kg See source.
How is Dexmedetomidine administered in Blue-tongue Skinks?
Documented routes for Dexmedetomidine in blue-tongue skinks: SC.
What conditions does Dexmedetomidine treat in Blue-tongue Skinks?
Dexmedetomidine is indicated in blue-tongue skinks for: Sedation/anesthesia — dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group DM), Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone + dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group ADM).
What are the side effects of Dexmedetomidine in Blue-tongue Skinks?
These are general warnings for Dexmedetomidine across species; consult the blue-tongue skink dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Profound cardiovascular effects: initial hypertension then hypotension, bradycardia. Avoid in animals with cardiac disease, hepatic or renal disease. Reversible with atipamezole. Vomiting common after IM injection.
Other Anesthetic drugs with blue-tongue skink dosing
Dexmedetomidine dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Dexmedetomidine 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.