Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Midazolam is dosed at 2 mg/kg IM single dose (preanaesthetic) in russian tortoises, per 63. 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. | 327. Miller LJ, Fetterer DP, Garza NL, et al. A fixed moderate-dose combination of tiletamine+zolazepam outperforms midazolam in induction of short-term immobilization of ball pythons (Python regius). PLoS ONE. 2018;13:1-15. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.246 — 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. Midazolam is used in russian tortoises for Preanaesthetic sedation. Routes documented in russian tortoises: IM. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Midazolam in russian tortoises, 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 | single dose (preanaesthetic) | Preanaesthetic sedation | Weak | 63. 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. | 327. Miller LJ, Fetterer DP, Garza NL, et al. A fixed moderate-dose combination of tiletamine+zolazepam outperforms midazolam in induction of short-term immobilization of ball pythons (Python regius). PLoS ONE. 2018;13:1-15. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.246 — 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 |
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 |
| 1 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 1 mg/kg IM |
| 0.1–1 | — | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed |
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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 russian tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Midazolam dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: IM 2 mg/kg single dose (preanaesthetic). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Midazolam in russian tortoises: IM.
Midazolam is indicated in russian tortoises for: Preanaesthetic sedation.
These are general warnings for Midazolam across species; consult the russian tortoise 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 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.
| 0.1-1 mg/kg |
| 0.5–1.5 | IN | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 0.5-1.5 mg/kg IN |
| 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 |
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.