Reptile · Tiliqua scincoides · typical adult weight 0.25–0.60 kg
Ketamine is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg IM once in blue-tongue skinks, per Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.241 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Ketamine is used in blue-tongue skinks for Reduce breath-holding during chamber induction, Sedation. Routes documented in blue-tongue skinks: IM, SC, IM. A typical adult blue-tongue skink weighs 0.25–0.60 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ketamine in blue-tongue skinks, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5–10 mg/kg | once | Reduce breath-holding during chamber induction | Weak | Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.241 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
| SC, IM | 30–50 mg/kg | not stated in source | Sedation | Weak | Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.242 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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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.
NMDA receptor antagonist producing dissociative anesthesia. Provides somatic analgesia, amnesia, and catalepsy while maintaining pharyngeal reflexes.
Increases intracranial and intraocular pressure. Causes increased salivation (premedicate with anticholinergic). Eyes remain open under anesthesia — use lubricant. Do NOT use alone in dogs/cats (muscle rigidity) — combine with a sedative.
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.
Ketamine dose ranges in blue-tongue skinks, with cited source references: IM 5–10 mg/kg once; SC, IM 30–50 mg/kg not stated in source. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketamine in blue-tongue skinks: IM, SC, IM.
Ketamine is indicated in blue-tongue skinks for: Reduce breath-holding during chamber induction, Sedation.
These are general warnings for Ketamine across species; consult the blue-tongue skink dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Increases intracranial and intraocular pressure. Causes increased salivation (premedicate with anticholinergic). Eyes remain open under anesthesia — use lubricant. Do NOT use alone in dogs/cats (muscle rigidity) — combine with a sedative.
Why a species-specific page? Ketamine 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.