Reptile · Python regius · typical adult weight 1.00–2.00 kg
Medetomidine is dosed at 0.1–0.15 mg/kg IM once in ball pythons, per Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.245 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530. Medetomidine is used in ball pythons for Sedation - produces poor immobilization alone, see ketamine and butorphanol for combinations. Alpha-2 agonist, reverse with atipamezole.. Routes documented in ball pythons: IM. A typical adult ball python weighs 1.00–2.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Medetomidine in ball pythons, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.1–0.15 mg/kg | once | Sedation - produces poor immobilization alone, see ketamine and butorphanol for combinations. Alpha-2 agonist, reverse with atipamezole. | Weak | Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.245 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mcg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.206 | 100-200 μg (micrograms)/kg i.m; may be combined with ketamine and/or opioids or midazolam to provide deep seda |
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.
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Medetomidine dose range in ball pythons, with cited source references: IM 0.1–0.15 mg/kg once. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Medetomidine in ball pythons: IM.
Medetomidine is indicated in ball pythons for: Sedation - produces poor immobilization alone, see ketamine and butorphanol for combinations. Alpha-2 agonist, reverse with atipamezole..
Why a species-specific page? Medetomidine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in ball pythons — 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.