Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Ketoconazole is dosed at 15–30 mg/kg PO q 24 h for 14–28 d in russian tortoises, per Page CD, Mautino M, Derendorf H, et al. Multiple dose pharmacokinetics of ketoconazole administered orally to gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). J Zoo Wildl Med. 1991;22:191-198. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.222 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Ketoconazole is used in russian tortoises for Fungal infections. Routes documented in russian tortoises: PO. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ketoconazole in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Nizoral
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 15–30 mg/kg | q 24 h for 14–28 d | Fungal infections | Weak | Page CD, Mautino M, Derendorf H, et al. Multiple dose pharmacokinetics of ketoconazole administered orally to gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). J Zoo Wildl Med. 1991;22:191-198. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.222 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
The sources disagree for this combination. The ranges below do not overlap on a comparable route. This is not an error in one of them — published veterinary references differ, and reconciling them for a particular patient is a clinical judgement.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.3 | 15 mg/kg q72h PO,222,243 |
| 15–30 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.3 | 15-30 mg/kg PO q24h × 14-28 days 50 mg/kg PO q24h × 14- Cro 28 days |
| 50 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.3 | 15-30 mg/kg PO q24h × 14-28 days 50 mg/kg PO q24h × 14- Cro 28 days |
| 15 | — |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your russian tortoise's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Inhibits lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase (CYP51), blocking ergosterol synthesis in fungal membranes. At high doses, inhibits adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis.
Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes. Strong CYP inhibitor (many drug interactions). Requires gastric acid for absorption (do not give with antacids). Also used for Cushing's disease (adrenal steroidogenesis inhibition).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for russian tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketoconazole dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: PO 15–30 mg/kg q 24 h for 14–28 d. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketoconazole in russian tortoises: PO.
Ketoconazole is indicated in russian tortoises for: Fungal infections.
These are general warnings for Ketoconazole across species; consult the russian tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes. Strong CYP inhibitor (many drug interactions). Requires gastric acid for absorption (do not give with antacids). Also used for Cushing's disease (adrenal steroidogenesis inhibition).
Why a species-specific page? Ketoconazole pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in russian 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.
| Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.3 |
| 15 mg/kg q72h PO149-151 Most species |
| 15–30 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.3 | 15-30 mg/kg PO q24h × 14-28 days217,260 Chelonians/PK (gopher tortoises); systemic infection |
| 50 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.3 | 50 mg/kg PO q24h × 14-28 days99 Crocodilians |
| 10–20 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.2 | 10-20 mg/kg PO q24h52 Topical cream52 |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.