Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
Dexmedetomidine is dosed at 0.02–0.05 mg/kg IM single premedication dose, combined with ketamine in sulcata tortoises, per Turner RC, Gatson BJ, Hernandez JA, Alexander AB, Aitken-Palmer C, Vigani A, Heard DJ. Sedation and anesthesia of Galapagos (Chelonoidis nigra), Aldabra (Aldabrachelys gigantea), and African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata): a retrospective review (2009-2019). Animals (Basel). 2021;11(10):2920. doi:10.3390/ani11102920 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/34679940. Dexmedetomidine is used in sulcata tortoises for Premedication / sedation for immobilisation and general anaesthesia. Routes documented in sulcata tortoises: IM. A typical adult sulcata tortoise weighs 1.00–40.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Dexmedetomidine in sulcata tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Dexdomitor, Sileo
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.02–0.05 mg/kg | single premedication dose, combined with ketamine | Premedication / sedation for immobilisation and general anaesthesia | Moderate | Turner RC, Gatson BJ, Hernandez JA, Alexander AB, Aitken-Palmer C, Vigani A, Heard DJ. Sedation and anesthesia of Galapagos (Chelonoidis nigra), Aldabra (Aldabrachelys gigantea), and African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata): a retrospective review (2009-2019). Animals (Basel). 2021;11(10):2920. doi:10.3390/ani11102920 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/34679940 |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your sulcata tortoise's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Produces dose-dependent sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation via CNS depression.
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 sulcata tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dexmedetomidine dose range in sulcata tortoises, with cited source references: IM 0.02–0.05 mg/kg single premedication dose, combined with ketamine. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dexmedetomidine in sulcata tortoises: IM.
Dexmedetomidine is indicated in sulcata tortoises for: Premedication / sedation for immobilisation and general anaesthesia.
These are general warnings for Dexmedetomidine across species; consult the sulcata tortoise 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.
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 sulcata 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.