Reptile · Trachemys scripta elegans · typical adult weight 0.20–2.20 kg
Meperidine is dosed at 1–5 mg/kg IM q6-12h in red-eared sliders, per Wambugu SN, TowettPK, Kiama SG, et al. Effects of opioids in the formalin test in the Speke's hinged tortoise (Kinixys spekii). J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2010;33:347-351 — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles). Meperidine is used in red-eared sliders for Analgesia. Routes documented in red-eared sliders: IM. A typical adult red-eared slider weighs 0.20–2.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Meperidine in red-eared sliders, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 1–5 mg/kg | q6-12h | Analgesia | Weak | Wambugu SN, TowettPK, Kiama SG, et al. Effects of opioids in the formalin test in the Speke's hinged tortoise (Kinixys spekii). J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2010;33:347-351 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.2009.01148.x. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles). |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–10 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.6 | 5-10 mg/kg IM q12-24h |
| 20 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.6 | 20 mg/kg IM q12- 24h |
| 1–5 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.6 | 1-5 mg/kg IM q6- 12h,431,480 |
| 2–4 | ICE | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed |
Typical range: 0.2–2.2 kg
If provided, volume will be calculated alongside dose.
Reference only. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Meperidine dose range in red-eared sliders, with cited source references: IM 1–5 mg/kg q6-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Meperidine in red-eared sliders: IM.
Meperidine is indicated in red-eared sliders for: Analgesia.
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 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.
| 2-4 mg/kg q6-12h ICe |
| 1 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | (Mp) 1 mg/kg + (Mi) 1 mg/kg IM16 Green sea turtles/premedication |
| 5–10 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 | 5-10 mg/kg IM q12-24h118 Most species/analgesia; no noticeable effect in snakes even at 200 mg/kg |
| 20 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 | 20 mg/kg IM q12-24h183 Most species/analgesia |
| 1–5 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 | 1-5 mg/kg IM156,306,335 Turtles, crocodiles/analgesic efficacy of short duration |
| 2–4 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 | 2-4 mg/kg ICe3 Nile crocodiles/analgesia |
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.