Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
Metronidazole is dosed at 25 mg/kg PO q24h x 5 days in sulcata tortoises, per Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.228 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 [w3r2 2026-08-14] LOCATOR: Carpenter 6th ed, Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles), row "25 mg/kg PO q24h x5 days243 | Chelonians/amoebiasis". This is the LOW row of a block whose header warns of severe neurologic signs above 200 mg/kg and death in indigo and mountain king snakes at 100 mg/kg. Held copy is a paginationless ebook conversion, so the table and not the page is the citable location.. Metronidazole is used in sulcata tortoises for Amoebiasis. Routes documented in sulcata tortoises: PO. A typical adult sulcata tortoise weighs 1.00–40.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Metronidazole in sulcata tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Flagyl
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 25 mg/kg | q24h x 5 days | Amoebiasis | Weak | Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.228 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 [w3r2 2026-08-14] LOCATOR: Carpenter 6th ed, Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles), row "25 mg/kg PO q24h x5 days243 | Chelonians/amoebiasis". This is the LOW row of a block whose header warns of severe neurologic signs above 200 mg/kg and death in indigo and mountain king snakes at 100 mg/kg. Held copy is a paginationless ebook conversion, so the table and not the page is the citable location. |
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 |
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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 sulcata tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Metronidazole dose range in sulcata tortoises, with cited source references: PO 25 mg/kg q24h x 5 days. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Metronidazole in sulcata tortoises: PO.
Metronidazole is indicated in sulcata tortoises for: Amoebiasis.
These are general warnings for Metronidazole across species; consult the sulcata 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 sulcata 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.
| 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.