Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
Midazolam is dosed at 0.06–0.5 mg/kg IM not stated in the cited source in sulcata tortoises, per Schumacher J, Mans C. Anesthesia. In: Mader DR, Divers SJ, eds. Current Therapy in Reptile Medicine and Surgery. St. Louis: WB Saunders; 2014: 134-153. — Verified against Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.549 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530. Midazolam is used in sulcata tortoises for Immobilization (sedation/anesthesia). Routes documented in sulcata tortoises: IM. A typical adult sulcata tortoise weighs 1.00–40.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Midazolam in sulcata tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Versed
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.06–0.5 mg/kg | not stated in the cited source | Immobilization (sedation/anesthesia) | Weak | Schumacher J, Mans C. Anesthesia. In: Mader DR, Divers SJ, eds. Current Therapy in Reptile Medicine and Surgery. St. Louis: WB Saunders; 2014: 134-153. — Verified against Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.549 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: 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 | — |
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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 sulcata tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Midazolam dose range in sulcata tortoises, with cited source references: IM 0.06–0.5 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 sulcata tortoises: IM.
Midazolam is indicated in sulcata tortoises for: Immobilization (sedation/anesthesia).
These are general warnings for Midazolam across species; consult the sulcata 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 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.
| 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.