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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 (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.
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.