Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Meloxicam is dosed at 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO, IM q24h in russian tortoises, per 128. Fleming G. Clinical technique: chelonian shell repair. J Exot Pet Med. 2008;17:246-258. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.254 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Meloxicam is used in russian tortoises for Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. Routes documented in russian tortoises: PO, IM, PO, SC. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Meloxicam in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Metacam
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, IM | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | q24h | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory | Weak | 128. Fleming G. Clinical technique: chelonian shell repair. J Exot Pet Med. 2008;17:246-258. — 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 | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory | Weak | 63. 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 russian tortoise'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 russian tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Meloxicam dose ranges in russian tortoises, with cited source references: PO, IM 0.1–0.2 mg/kg q24h; 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 russian tortoises: PO, IM, PO, SC.
Meloxicam is indicated in russian tortoises for: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.
These are general warnings for Meloxicam across species; consult the russian tortoise 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 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.