Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Morphine is dosed at 0.1–0.2 mg/kg intrathecal single dose in russian tortoises, per 294. Mans C. Clinical technique: intrathecal drug administration in turtles and tortoises. J Exot Pet Med. 2014;23:67-70. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2013.11.011 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Morphine is used in russian tortoises for Analgesia (caudal body / thermal analgesia). Routes documented in russian tortoises: intrathecal. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Morphine in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| intrathecal | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | single dose | Analgesia (caudal body / thermal analgesia) | Moderate | 294. Mans C. Clinical technique: intrathecal drug administration in turtles and tortoises. J Exot Pet Med. 2014;23:67-70. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.255 doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2013.11.011 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.224 | 1-5 mg/kg i.m., although may result in significant respiratory depression especially at higher dose |
| 5–10 | SC | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.6 | 5-10 mg/kg SC |
| 0.5–4 | ICE | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.6 | 0.5-4 mg/kg ICe q24h |
| 0.1–0.2 | — |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your russian tortoise'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 russian tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Morphine dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: intrathecal 0.1–0.2 mg/kg single dose. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Morphine in russian tortoises: intrathecal.
Morphine is indicated in russian tortoises for: Analgesia (caudal body / thermal analgesia).
These are general warnings for Morphine across species; consult the russian tortoise 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 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.
| Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.6 |
| 0.1-0.2 mg/kg intrathecal |
| 0.1–0.2 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 | 0.1-0.2 mg/kg intrathecal206 Turtles, tortoises/thermal analgesia for 48 hr; regional analgesia caudal body |
| 0.5–4 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 | 0.5-4 mg/kg ICe309 Crocodilians/analgesia |
| 38–42 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.4 | 38-42 mg/kg SC27 Analgesia >4 hr |
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.