Reptile · Terrapene carolina · typical adult weight 0.30–0.60 kg
Midazolam is dosed at 2 mg/kg IM once, as preanaesthetic in eastern box turtles, per 18. Bennett RA. A review of anesthesia and chemical restraint in reptiles. J Zoo Wildl Med. 1991;22:282-303. | 19. Bennett RA. Anesthesia. In: Mader DR, ed. Reptile Medicine and Surgery. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 1996:241-247. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1412 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Midazolam is used in eastern box turtles for preanaesthetic sedation, Sedation — deepens a dexmedetomidine-ketamine protocol. Routes documented in eastern box turtles: IM, IM (forelimb). A typical adult eastern box turtle weighs 0.30–0.60 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Midazolam in eastern box turtles, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Versed
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 2 mg/kg | once, as preanaesthetic | preanaesthetic sedation | Weak | 18. Bennett RA. A review of anesthesia and chemical restraint in reptiles. J Zoo Wildl Med. 1991;22:282-303. | 19. Bennett RA. Anesthesia. In: Mader DR, ed. Reptile Medicine and Surgery. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 1996:241-247. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1412 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
| IM (forelimb) | 1 mg/kg | single dose added to dexmedetomidine-ketamine | Sedation — deepens a dexmedetomidine-ketamine protocol | Strong | Heniff AC, Petritz OA, Carpenter RG, Lewbart GA, Balko JA. Anesthetic efficacy of dexmedetomidine-ketamine in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) is enhanced with the addition of midazolam and when administered in the forelimb versus the hindlimb. Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(2):ajvr.23.10.0226. doi:10.2460/ajvr.23.10.0226 https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/38039626 |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your eastern box turtle's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
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 eastern box turtles may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Midazolam dose ranges in eastern box turtles, with cited source references: IM 2 mg/kg once, as preanaesthetic; IM (forelimb) 1 mg/kg single dose added to dexmedetomidine-ketamine. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Midazolam in eastern box turtles: IM, IM (forelimb).
Midazolam is indicated in eastern box turtles for: preanaesthetic sedation, Sedation — deepens a dexmedetomidine-ketamine protocol.
These are general warnings for Midazolam across species; consult the eastern box turtle 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 eastern box turtles — 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.