Reptile · Trachemys scripta elegans · typical adult weight 0.20–2.20 kg
Morphine is dosed at 1 mg/kg IM q24h in red-eared sliders, per Innis CJ, Feinsod R, Hanlon J, et al. Coelioscopic orchiectomy can be effectively and safely accomplished in chelonians. Vet Rec. 2013;172:526-531. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1136/vr.101475. Morphine is used in red-eared sliders for Analgesia, Regional analgesia of the caudal body, Surgical analgesia. Routes documented in red-eared sliders: IM, Intrathecal, SC. A typical adult red-eared slider weighs 0.20–2.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Morphine in red-eared sliders, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 1 mg/kg | q24h | Analgesia | Moderate | Innis CJ, Feinsod R, Hanlon J, et al. Coelioscopic orchiectomy can be effectively and safely accomplished in chelonians. Vet Rec. 2013;172:526-531. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1136/vr.101475 |
| Intrathecal | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | once | Regional analgesia of the caudal body | Moderate | Mans C. Clinical technique: intrathecal drug administration in turtles and tortoises. J Exot Pet Med. 2014;23:67-70. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2013.11.011 |
| SC | 2 mg/kg | q24h | Surgical analgesia | Moderate | Kinney ME, Johnson SM, Sladky KK. Behavioral evaluation of red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) administered either morphine or butorphanol following unilateral gonadectomy. J Herp Med Surg. 2011;21:54-62. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.5818/1529-9651-21.2.54 |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your red-eared slider's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Prototype full mu-opioid receptor agonist. Activates mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptors producing analgesia, sedation, and euphoria.
Histamine release with rapid IV injection (hypotension, bronchoconstriction — give slowly). Vomiting and defecation common initial effects. Respiratory depression. Cats: may cause excitation/dysphoria at higher doses. Controlled substance (Schedule II).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for red-eared sliders may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Morphine dose ranges in red-eared sliders, with cited source references: IM 1 mg/kg q24h; Intrathecal 0.1–0.2 mg/kg once; SC 2 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Morphine in red-eared sliders: IM, Intrathecal, SC.
Morphine is indicated in red-eared sliders for: Analgesia, Regional analgesia of the caudal body, Surgical analgesia.
These are general warnings for Morphine across species; consult the red-eared slider dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Histamine release with rapid IV injection (hypotension, bronchoconstriction — give slowly). Vomiting and defecation common initial effects. Respiratory depression. Cats: may cause excitation/dysphoria at higher doses. Controlled substance (Schedule II).
Why a species-specific page? Morphine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in red-eared sliders — 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.