Reptile · Terrapene carolina · typical adult weight 0.30–0.60 kg
Meperidine is dosed at 1–5 mg/kg IM not stated (short duration of effect) in eastern box turtles, per 156. Kanui TI, Hole K. Morphine and pethidine antinociception in the crocodile. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 1992;15:101-103. | 306. Sladky KK, Kinney ME, Johnson SM. Effects of opioid receptor activation on thermal antinociception in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta). Am J Vet Res. 2009;70:1072-1078. | 335. Wambugu SN, Towett PK, Kiama SG, et al. Effects of opioids in the formalin test in the Speke's hinged tortoise (Kinixy's spekii). J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2010;33:347-351. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1414 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Meperidine is used in eastern box turtles for analgesia. Routes documented in eastern box turtles: IM. A typical adult eastern box turtle weighs 0.30–0.60 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Meperidine in eastern box turtles, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 1–5 mg/kg | not stated (short duration of effect) | analgesia | Weak | 156. Kanui TI, Hole K. Morphine and pethidine antinociception in the crocodile. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 1992;15:101-103. | 306. Sladky KK, Kinney ME, Johnson SM. Effects of opioid receptor activation on thermal antinociception in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta). Am J Vet Res. 2009;70:1072-1078. | 335. Wambugu SN, Towett PK, Kiama SG, et al. Effects of opioids in the formalin test in the Speke's hinged tortoise (Kinixy's spekii). J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2010;33:347-351. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1414 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your eastern box turtle's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Added 2026-08-04 by the book-verification programme. Drug identity independently confirmed as distinct from every existing formulary entry. Source opened: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery 3rd Ed, p.1414 (Table 127.6 Analgesic Agents); also Carpenter's 6th Ed p.255, p.454, p.792. Class as printed in source: Opioid agonist (phenylpiperidine, mu-receptor agonist) — analgesic/sedative
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for eastern box turtles may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Meperidine dose range in eastern box turtles, with cited source references: IM 1–5 mg/kg not stated (short duration of effect). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Meperidine in eastern box turtles: IM.
Meperidine is indicated in eastern box turtles for: analgesia.
These are general warnings for Meperidine across species; consult the eastern box turtle dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Added 2026-08-04 by the book-verification programme. Drug identity independently confirmed as distinct from every existing formulary entry. Source opened: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery 3rd Ed, p.1414 (Table 127.6 Analgesic Agents); also Carpenter's 6th Ed p.255, p.454, p.792. Class as printed in source: Opioid agonist (phenylpiperidine, mu-receptor agonist) — analgesic/sedative
Why a species-specific page? Meperidine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in eastern box turtles — 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.