Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
Levothyroxine is dosed at 0.02 mg/kg PO q24-48h in sulcata tortoises, per Franco KH and Hoover JP (2009) Leveothyroxine as a treatment for presumed hypothyroidism in an adult male African spurred tortoise. Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery 19(2), 47-49 — Source: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets, p.194 — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712. Levothyroxine is used in sulcata tortoises for Hypothyroidism. Routes documented in sulcata tortoises: PO. A typical adult sulcata tortoise weighs 1.00–40.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Levothyroxine in sulcata tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Soloxine, Thyro-Tabs
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.02 mg/kg | q24-48h | Hypothyroidism | Moderate | Franco KH and Hoover JP (2009) Leveothyroxine as a treatment for presumed hypothyroidism in an adult male African spurred tortoise. Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery 19(2), 47-49 — Source: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets, p.194 — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.02 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.194 | 0.02 mg/kg p.o. q24-48h has been reported for the management of hypothyroidism in a Galapagos tortoi |
| 0.02 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.8 | 0.02 mg/kg PO q48h |
| 0.025 | IN | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.8 | 0.025 mg/kg q24h in AM |
| 0.02 | PO |
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Synthetic T4 (thyroxine) that is converted to active T3 in peripheral tissues. Restores normal metabolic rate, thermogenesis, and organ function.
Dose based on body weight, adjusted by monitoring serum T4 levels (4-6 hour post-pill sample). Give on empty stomach. Monitor for signs of thyrotoxicosis (tachycardia, panting, anxiety). Dogs primarily.
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.
Levothyroxine dose range in sulcata tortoises, with cited source references: PO 0.02 mg/kg q24-48h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Levothyroxine in sulcata tortoises: PO.
Levothyroxine is indicated in sulcata tortoises for: Hypothyroidism.
These are general warnings for Levothyroxine across species; consult the sulcata tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Dose based on body weight, adjusted by monitoring serum T4 levels (4-6 hour post-pill sample). Give on empty stomach. Monitor for signs of thyrotoxicosis (tachycardia, panting, anxiety). Dogs primarily.
Why a species-specific page? Levothyroxine 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.
| Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 |
| 0.02 mg/kg PO q48h246 Tortoises/hypothyroidism; stimulates feeding in debilitated tortoises |
| 0.025 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 | 0.025 mg/kg q24h in AM86 Tortoises/monitor T4 levels Continued |
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.