Hydromorphone for Sulcata Tortoises
Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
Hydromorphone is dosed at 0.024–0.26 mg/kg IM See source in sulcata tortoises, per Marsh MK, et al. Sedation and Anesthesia of Galapagos (Chelonoidis nigra), Aldabra (Aldabrachelys gigantea), and African Spurred Tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata): A Retrospective Review (2009-2019). Animals. 2021;11(10):2920. doi:10.3390/ani11102920; PMCID: PMC8532946. Table 1. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8532946/. Hydromorphone is used in sulcata tortoises for Immobilization (sedation/anesthesia). Routes documented in sulcata tortoises: IM. A typical adult sulcata tortoise weighs 1.00–40.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Hydromorphone in sulcata tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Dilaudid
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.024–0.26 mg/kg | See source | Immobilization (sedation/anesthesia) | Weak | Marsh MK, et al. Sedation and Anesthesia of Galapagos (Chelonoidis nigra), Aldabra (Aldabrachelys gigantea), and African Spurred Tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata): A Retrospective Review (2009-2019). Animals. 2021;11(10):2920. doi:10.3390/ani11102920; PMCID: PMC8532946. Table 1. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8532946/ |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Mechanism of action
Semi-synthetic opioid agonist at mu-opioid receptors, producing potent analgesia, sedation, and euphoria. Approximately 5-7x more potent than morphine.
Side effects & warnings
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 sulcata tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dose of Hydromorphone for Sulcata Tortoises?
Hydromorphone dose range in sulcata tortoises, with cited source references: IM 0.024–0.26 mg/kg See source.
How is Hydromorphone administered in Sulcata Tortoises?
Documented routes for Hydromorphone in sulcata tortoises: IM.
What conditions does Hydromorphone treat in Sulcata Tortoises?
Hydromorphone is indicated in sulcata tortoises for: Immobilization (sedation/anesthesia).
What are the side effects of Hydromorphone in Sulcata Tortoises?
These are general warnings for Hydromorphone across species; consult the sulcata tortoise 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.
Other Analgesic drugs with sulcata tortoise dosing
Hydromorphone dosing in other species
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 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.