Reptile · Eublepharis macularius · typical adult weight 0.04–0.10 kg
Metronidazole is dosed at 200 mg/kg PO repeat in 14 days in leopard geckos, per 326. Miller HA, Brandt PJ, Frye FL, et al. Trichomonas associated with ocular and subcutaneous lesions in geckos. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1994:102- 107. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.228 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): Same row, same missing caution. Mader printed p.825 (Ch.77 Neurology) corroborates: "At high doses, metronidazole may induce clinical signs of vestibular disease with head tilt […]". Metronidazole is used in leopard geckos for Trichomonas subcutaneous lesions, Trichomonas ocular lesions. Routes documented in leopard geckos: PO. A typical adult leopard gecko weighs 0.04–0.10 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Metronidazole in leopard geckos, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Flagyl
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 200 mg/kg | repeat in 14 days | Trichomonas subcutaneous lesions | Moderate | 326. Miller HA, Brandt PJ, Frye FL, et al. Trichomonas associated with ocular and subcutaneous lesions in geckos. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1994:102- 107. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.228 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): Same row, same missing caution. Mader printed p.825 (Ch.77 Neurology) corroborates: "At high doses, metronidazole may induce clinical signs of vestibular disease with head tilt […]" |
| PO | 40 mg/kg | repeat in 14 days | Trichomonas ocular lesions | Moderate | 326. Miller HA, Brandt PJ, Frye FL, et al. Trichomonas associated with ocular and subcutaneous lesions in geckos. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1994:102- 107. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.228 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.1 | 20 mg/kg PO q48h x≥7 days |
| 20 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.1 | 20 mg/kg PO q48h × ≥ 7 days99 Most species/anaerobes |
| 50 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.1 | 50 mg/kg PO q24h × 7-14 days167 Most species/may be administered concurrently with amikacin for broader spectrum; because of potential side effects at this dose, a lower dose may b |
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Disrupts DNA structure in anaerobic organisms via reduction of nitro group, forming cytotoxic intermediates.
Neurotoxicity at high doses or prolonged use (ataxia, seizures). Avoid in pregnant animals. Hepatotoxic at high doses.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for leopard geckos may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Metronidazole dose ranges in leopard geckos, with cited source references: PO 200 mg/kg repeat in 14 days; PO 40 mg/kg repeat in 14 days. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Metronidazole in leopard geckos: PO.
Metronidazole is indicated in leopard geckos for: Trichomonas subcutaneous lesions, Trichomonas ocular lesions.
These are general warnings for Metronidazole across species; consult the leopard gecko dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Neurotoxicity at high doses or prolonged use (ataxia, seizures). Avoid in pregnant animals. Hepatotoxic at high doses.
Why a species-specific page? Metronidazole pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in leopard geckos — 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.
| 40–100 |
| PO |
| Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.4 |
| 40-100 mg/kg PO, repeat in 10-14 days88 Most species/flagellate overgrowth |
| 40–200 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.4 | 40-200 mg/kg PO, repeat in 14 days228 Geckos/ocular lesions (40 mg/kg) and subcutaneous lesions (200 mg/kg) caused by Trichomonas |
| 12.5–50 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.8 | 12.5-50 mg/kg PO88 Most species/appetite stimulant (anecdotal; presumably associated with antiprotozoal activity) |
| 10 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.3 | 10 mg/kg PO q24h × 5-10 days52 Protozoa; for unfamiliar or sensitive species |
| 10 | IV | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.1 | 10 mg/kg IV q24h × 2 days52 Anaerobic infections |
| 12 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.1 | 12 mg/kg topically q24h × 5-10 days52 For chronic diarrhea |
| 60 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.1 | 60 mg/kg topically q24h × 3 days52 Anaerobic infections |
| 100 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.3 | 100 mg/kg PO q3d52 Protozoa |
| 100–150 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.3 | 100-150 mg/kg PO, repeat in 2-3 wk or prn52 Protozoa (i.e., Entamoeba, Hexamita, Opalina) |
| Dose (mg/l) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.3 | 50 mg/L × 24 hr bath52 500 mg/100 g feed × 3-4 treatments52 Aquatic amphibians/protozoa Ciliates |
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.