Reptile · Tiliqua scincoides · typical adult weight 0.25–0.60 kg
Midazolam is dosed at 0.5 mg/kg SC not stated in the cited source in blue-tongue skinks, per 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. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.246 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 [w3r2 2026-08-14] ANCHOR REPLACED - UNSOURCED, NOT UNSAFE. Neither cited location carries this protocol. Carpenter 6th ed Table 4.5 midazolam block (idx p.246 AND its continuation p.247, both read) prints no SC route, no 0.5 mg/kg point dose and no alfaxalone plus dexmedetomidine plus midazolam combination - its rows are 0.1-1 mg/kg Multiple species, 2 mg/kg IM Most species, 1 mg/kg IM Ball pythons, 0.5-2 mg/kg IM Lizards, 1 mg/kg IM tegus, 2 mg/kg IM green iguanas, 0.5-1.5 mg/kg IN tortoises, 1.5 mg/kg IM red-eared sliders, 2-3 mg/kg IV leatherbacks. Table 4.7 prints the only 0.5 mg/kg midazolam protocol under the SNAKES heading, and a species heading governs the rows below it. The second cited source, Mader 3rd ed 2019, predates the protocol. THE FIGURE IS FROM Ratliff C et al, Evaluating the Physiologic Effects of Alfaxalone, Dexmedetomidine, and Midazolam Combinations in Common Blue-Tongued Skinks (Tiliqua scincoides), Animals (Basel) 2024, 14(18):2636, doi:10.3390/ani14182636, PMID 39335227, PMCID PMC11429061 - open-access FULL TEXT read, Methods print "5 mg/kg alfaxalone, 0.05 mg/kg dexmedetomidine, and 0.5 mg/kg midazolam [ADM]" administered subcutaneously to 11 skinks, and the recommendation is "ADM and AM are recommended for minor procedures in blue-tongue skinks". THE PARTNER DRUGS MUST STAY VISIBLE ON THE CARD - this figure has no standalone meaning.. Midazolam is used in blue-tongue skinks for Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone + dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group ADM), Sedation/anesthesia — dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group DM). Routes documented in blue-tongue skinks: SC. A typical adult blue-tongue skink weighs 0.25–0.60 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Midazolam in blue-tongue skinks, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Versed
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 0.5 mg/kg | not stated in the cited source | Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone + dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group ADM) | Weak | 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. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.246 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 [w3r2 2026-08-14] ANCHOR REPLACED - UNSOURCED, NOT UNSAFE. Neither cited location carries this protocol. Carpenter 6th ed Table 4.5 midazolam block (idx p.246 AND its continuation p.247, both read) prints no SC route, no 0.5 mg/kg point dose and no alfaxalone plus dexmedetomidine plus midazolam combination - its rows are 0.1-1 mg/kg Multiple species, 2 mg/kg IM Most species, 1 mg/kg IM Ball pythons, 0.5-2 mg/kg IM Lizards, 1 mg/kg IM tegus, 2 mg/kg IM green iguanas, 0.5-1.5 mg/kg IN tortoises, 1.5 mg/kg IM red-eared sliders, 2-3 mg/kg IV leatherbacks. Table 4.7 prints the only 0.5 mg/kg midazolam protocol under the SNAKES heading, and a species heading governs the rows below it. The second cited source, Mader 3rd ed 2019, predates the protocol. THE FIGURE IS FROM Ratliff C et al, Evaluating the Physiologic Effects of Alfaxalone, Dexmedetomidine, and Midazolam Combinations in Common Blue-Tongued Skinks (Tiliqua scincoides), Animals (Basel) 2024, 14(18):2636, , , PMCID - open-access FULL TEXT read, Methods print "5 mg/kg alfaxalone, 0.05 mg/kg dexmedetomidine, and 0.5 mg/kg midazolam [ADM]" administered subcutaneously to 11 skinks, and the recommendation is "ADM and AM are recommended for minor procedures in blue-tongue skinks". THE PARTNER DRUGS MUST STAY VISIBLE ON THE CARD - this figure has no standalone meaning. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1–1 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.219 | 0.1-1 mg/kg i.m. for light sedation in snakes, lizards and chelonians e |
| 2 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 2 mg/kg IM,327 |
| 0.5–2 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 0.5-2 mg/kg IM |
| 1 | IM |
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Enhances GABA-A receptor activity, increasing chloride conductance. Provides anxiolysis, sedation, muscle relaxation, and anticonvulsant effects.
May cause paradoxical excitement in healthy dogs when used alone. Water-soluble (less painful IM than diazepam). Respiratory depression at high doses. Flumazenil is the reversal agent.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for blue-tongue skinks may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Midazolam dose ranges in blue-tongue skinks, with cited source references: SC 0.5 mg/kg not stated in the cited source; SC 1 mg/kg not stated in the cited source. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Midazolam in blue-tongue skinks: SC.
Midazolam is indicated in blue-tongue skinks for: Sedation/anesthesia — alfaxalone + dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group ADM), Sedation/anesthesia — dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group DM).
These are general warnings for Midazolam across species; consult the blue-tongue skink dosing table above for species-specific guidance. May cause paradoxical excitement in healthy dogs when used alone. Water-soluble (less painful IM than diazepam). Respiratory depression at high doses. Flumazenil is the reversal agent.
Why a species-specific page? Midazolam pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in blue-tongue skinks — 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.
| SC | 1 mg/kg | not stated in the cited source | Sedation/anesthesia — dexmedetomidine + midazolam combination (group DM) | Weak | 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. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.246 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 |
| Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 |
| 1 mg/kg IM |
| 0.1–1 | — | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 0.1-1 mg/kg |
| 0.1–1 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | 0.1-1 mg/kg11 Multiple species/mild to moderate sedation |
| 2 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | 2 mg/kg IM18,19 Most species/preanesthetic; increases the efficacy of ketamine; effective in snapping turtles, not in painted turtles19 |
| 0.5–2 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | 0.5-2 mg/kg296 Lizards |
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.