Reptile · Terrapene carolina · typical adult weight 0.30–0.60 kg
Ketamine is dosed at 10 mg/kg IM (forelimb) single dose for a procedure, combined with in eastern box turtles, per Heniff AC, Petritz OA, Carpenter RG, Lewbart GA, Balko JA. Anesthetic efficacy of dexmedetomidine-ketamine in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) is enhanced with the addition of midazolam and when administered in the forelimb versus the hindlimb. Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(2):ajvr.23.10.0226. doi:10.2460/ajvr.23.10.0226 https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/38039626. Ketamine is used in eastern box turtles for Sedation / anaesthesia (component of a dexmedetomidine-ketamine ± midazolam protocol). Routes documented in eastern box turtles: IM (forelimb). A typical adult eastern box turtle weighs 0.30–0.60 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ketamine in eastern box turtles, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM (forelimb) | 10 mg/kg | single dose for a procedure, combined with | Sedation / anaesthesia (component of a dexmedetomidine-ketamine ± midazolam protocol) | Strong | Heniff AC, Petritz OA, Carpenter RG, Lewbart GA, Balko JA. Anesthetic efficacy of dexmedetomidine-ketamine in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) is enhanced with the addition of midazolam and when administered in the forelimb versus the hindlimb. Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(2):ajvr.23.10.0226. doi:10.2460/ajvr.23.10.0226 https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/38039626 |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your eastern box turtle'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 eastern box turtles may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketamine dose range in eastern box turtles, with cited source references: IM (forelimb) 10 mg/kg single dose for a procedure, combined with. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketamine in eastern box turtles: IM (forelimb).
Ketamine is indicated in eastern box turtles for: Sedation / anaesthesia (component of a dexmedetomidine-ketamine ± midazolam protocol).
These are general warnings for Ketamine across species; consult the eastern box turtle 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 eastern box turtles — 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.