Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
Ketamine is dosed at 10–20 mg/kg IM not stated in source in sulcata tortoises, per Mitchell MA. Therapeutics. In: Mader DR, eds. Reptile Medicine and Surgery, 2nd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2006:631-664. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.242 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Ketamine is used in sulcata tortoises for Sedation. Routes documented in sulcata tortoises: IM. A typical adult sulcata tortoise weighs 1.00–40.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ketamine in sulcata tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 10–20 mg/kg | not stated in source | Sedation | Weak | Mitchell MA. Therapeutics. In: Mader DR, eds. Reptile Medicine and Surgery, 2nd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2006:631-664. — 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 sulcata tortoise'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 sulcata tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketamine dose range in sulcata tortoises, with cited source references: IM 10–20 mg/kg not stated in source. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketamine in sulcata tortoises: IM.
Ketamine is indicated in sulcata tortoises for: Sedation.
These are general warnings for Ketamine across species; consult the sulcata tortoise 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 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.