Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Metronidazole is dosed at 20–50 mg/kg PO q 1–2 d in russian tortoises, per Merck Veterinary Manual. Antimicrobial Drugs Used in Reptiles (dosing table). Rahway (NJ): Merck & Co.; accessed 2026. URL: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/antimicrobial-drugs-used-in-reptiles. Metronidazole is used in russian tortoises for Bacterial infections. Routes documented in russian tortoises: PO. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Metronidazole in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Flagyl
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 20–50 mg/kg | q 1–2 d | Bacterial infections | Weak | Merck Veterinary Manual. Antimicrobial Drugs Used in Reptiles (dosing table). Rahway (NJ): Merck & Co.; accessed 2026. URL: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/antimicrobial-drugs-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.1 | 20 mg/kg PO q48h x≥7 days |
| 25 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.4 | 25 mg/kg PO q24h x 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 |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
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 russian tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Metronidazole dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: PO 20–50 mg/kg q 1–2 d. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Metronidazole in russian tortoises: PO.
Metronidazole is indicated in russian tortoises for: Bacterial infections.
These are general warnings for Metronidazole across species; consult the russian tortoise 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 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.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 25 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.4 | 25 mg/kg PO q24h × 5 days99 Chelonians/amoebiasis |
| 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.