Reptile · Trachemys scripta elegans · typical adult weight 0.20–2.20 kg
Ketamine is dosed at 20–60 mg/kg IM once (sedation) in red-eared sliders, per Holz P, Holz RM. Evaluation of ketamine, ketamine/xylazine, and ketamine/midazolam anesthesia in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). J Zoo Wildl Med. 1994;25:531-537. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.242 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Ketamine is used in red-eared sliders for Sedation. Routes documented in red-eared sliders: IM. A typical adult red-eared slider weighs 0.20–2.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ketamine in red-eared sliders, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 20–60 mg/kg | once (sedation) | Sedation | Moderate | Holz P, Holz RM. Evaluation of ketamine, ketamine/xylazine, and ketamine/midazolam anesthesia in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). J Zoo Wildl Med. 1994;25:531-537. — 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 red-eared slider'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 red-eared sliders may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketamine dose range in red-eared sliders, with cited source references: IM 20–60 mg/kg once (sedation). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketamine in red-eared sliders: IM.
Ketamine is indicated in red-eared sliders for: Sedation.
These are general warnings for Ketamine across species; consult the red-eared slider 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 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.