Reptile · Trachemys scripta elegans · typical adult weight 0.20–2.20 kg
Meloxicam is dosed at 0.2–0.4 mg/kg IM q24h in red-eared sliders, per Innis CJ, Feinsod R, Hanlon J, et al. Coelioscopic orchiectomy can be effectively and safely accomplished in chelonians. Vet Rec. 2013;172:526-531. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1136/vr.101475. Meloxicam is used in red-eared sliders for Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory / analgesia. Routes documented in red-eared sliders: IM, IM, IV, PO, SC. A typical adult red-eared slider weighs 0.20–2.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Meloxicam in red-eared sliders, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Metacam
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.2–0.4 mg/kg | q24h | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory | Moderate | Innis CJ, Feinsod R, Hanlon J, et al. Coelioscopic orchiectomy can be effectively and safely accomplished in chelonians. Vet Rec. 2013;172:526-531. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1136/vr.101475 |
| IM, IV | 0.2 mg/kg | not stated in source | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory / analgesia | Weak | Uney K, Altan F, Aboubakr M, et al. Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta scripta) after single intravenous and intramuscular injections. Am J Vet Res. 2016;77:439-444. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.254 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
| PO, SC | 0.1–0.5 mg/kg | q24-48h | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory | 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.254 (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.
Preferential COX-2 inhibitor, reducing prostaglandin synthesis. Provides anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects.
Use with extreme caution in cats. Jurisdiction-specific labeling: the US (FDA) label authorizes a single SC dose only, with a boxed warning against repeated use; EU/UK/AU labels authorize repeated oral dosing for chronic musculoskeletal pain — follow your jurisdiction's label. GI ulceration risk. Avoid in dehydrated, hypovolemic, or renally compromised patients. Do not combine with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids.
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.
Meloxicam dose ranges in red-eared sliders, with cited source references: IM 0.2–0.4 mg/kg q24h; IM, IV 0.2 mg/kg not stated in source; PO, SC 0.1–0.5 mg/kg q24-48h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Meloxicam in red-eared sliders: IM, IM, IV, PO, SC.
Meloxicam is indicated in red-eared sliders for: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory / analgesia.
These are general warnings for Meloxicam across species; consult the red-eared slider dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Use with extreme caution in cats. Jurisdiction-specific labeling: the US (FDA) label authorizes a single SC dose only, with a boxed warning against repeated use; EU/UK/AU labels authorize repeated oral dosing for chronic musculoskeletal pain — follow your jurisdiction's label. GI ulceration risk. Avoid in dehydrated, hypovolemic, or renally compromised patients. Do not combine with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids.
Why a species-specific page? Meloxicam 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.