Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Meperidine is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg IM q12-24h in russian tortoises, per 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Usedin Reptiles). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — 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. Meperidine is used in russian tortoises for Analgesia. Routes documented in russian tortoises: IM. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Meperidine in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 5–10 mg/kg | q12-24h | Analgesia | 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Usedin Reptiles). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — 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.
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 |
| 2–4 | ICE | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.6 | 2-4 mg/kg q6-12h ICe |
| 5–10 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed |
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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 russian tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Meperidine dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: IM 5–10 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Meperidine in russian tortoises: IM.
Meperidine is indicated in russian tortoises for: Analgesia.
These are general warnings for Meperidine across species; consult the russian tortoise 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 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.
| 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 |
| 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.