Reptile · Trachemys scripta elegans · typical adult weight 0.20–2.20 kg
Methadone is dosed at 3–5 mg/kg SC, IM q24h in red-eared sliders, per Sladky KK, Mans C. Clinical analgesia in reptiles. J Exot Pet Med. 2012;21:17-32. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Methadone is used in red-eared sliders for Analgesia. Routes documented in red-eared sliders: SC, IM. A typical adult red-eared slider weighs 0.20–2.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Methadone in red-eared sliders, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Methadose
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 3–5 mg/kg | q24h | Analgesia | Weak | Sladky KK, Mans C. Clinical analgesia in reptiles. J Exot Pet Med. 2012;21:17-32. — 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 red-eared slider's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Full mu-opioid receptor agonist providing analgesia. Also antagonizes NMDA receptors and inhibits serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake, contributing to multimodal analgesia.
Respiratory depression. Bradycardia. No histamine release (advantage over morphine). NMDA antagonism provides wind-up prevention. Controlled substance (Schedule II). Dogs and cats.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for red-eared sliders may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Methadone dose range in red-eared sliders, with cited source references: SC, IM 3–5 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Methadone in red-eared sliders: SC, IM.
Methadone is indicated in red-eared sliders for: Analgesia.
These are general warnings for Methadone across species; consult the red-eared slider dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Respiratory depression. Bradycardia. No histamine release (advantage over morphine). NMDA antagonism provides wind-up prevention. Controlled substance (Schedule II). Dogs and cats.
Why a species-specific page? Methadone 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.