Reptile · Trachemys scripta elegans · typical adult weight 0.20–2.20 kg
Hydromorphone is dosed at 0.5 mg/kg SC q12-24h (red-eared sliders) in red-eared sliders, per Hawkins SJ, Cox S, Yaw TJ, et al. Pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous administered hydromorphone in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) and red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2019;46(3):352-359. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.253 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2018.12.002. Hydromorphone is used in red-eared sliders for Analgesia. Routes documented in red-eared sliders: SC. A typical adult red-eared slider weighs 0.20–2.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Hydromorphone in red-eared sliders, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Dilaudid
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 0.5 mg/kg | q12-24h (red-eared sliders) | Analgesia | Moderate | Hawkins SJ, Cox S, Yaw TJ, et al. Pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous administered hydromorphone in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) and red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2019;46(3):352-359. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.253 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2018.12.002 |
| SC | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q24h | Analgesia | Moderate | Mans C, Lahner LL, Baker BB, et al. Antinociceptive efficacy of buprenorphine and hydromorphone in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). J Zoo Wildl Med. 2012;43:662-665. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.253 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1638/2011-0260r.1 |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your red-eared slider's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Semi-synthetic opioid agonist at mu-opioid receptors, producing potent analgesia, sedation, and euphoria. Approximately 5-7x more potent than morphine.
Respiratory depression, bradycardia, hypothermia. May cause panting and hyperthermia in cats. Vomiting common after initial dose in dogs. Schedule II controlled substance. Naloxone is the reversal agent.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for red-eared sliders may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Hydromorphone dose ranges in red-eared sliders, with cited source references: SC 0.5 mg/kg q12-24h (red-eared sliders); SC 0.5–1 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Hydromorphone in red-eared sliders: SC.
Hydromorphone is indicated in red-eared sliders for: Analgesia.
These are general warnings for Hydromorphone across species; consult the red-eared slider dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Respiratory depression, bradycardia, hypothermia. May cause panting and hyperthermia in cats. Vomiting common after initial dose in dogs. Schedule II controlled substance. Naloxone is the reversal agent.
Why a species-specific page? Hydromorphone pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in red-eared sliders — 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.