ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/oxytetracycline
US brand names:Terramycin, Liquamycin
Oxytetracycline is dosed at 6–10 mg/kg PO, IM, IV q24h in ball pythons, per Divers SJ. Empirical doses of antimicrobial drugs commonly used in reptiles. Exot DVM. 1998;1:23. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.218 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). 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. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Inhibits protein synthesis by binding 30S ribosomal subunit. Broad-spectrum bacteriostatic agent.
Tissue irritation with IM injection. Avoid in young animals (tooth/bone discoloration). Chelation with divalent cations reduces absorption. Photosensitivity.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 41 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 10 mg/kg | q12h | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 10th ed., Oxytetracycline, Dosages > DOGS/CATS, printed p.974 (corpus p.1001) — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Oxytetracycline monograph, printed p.974 (corpus PDF p.1001): "DOGS/CATS: Susceptible systemic infections (extra-label): a) 10 mg/kg IV every 12 hours." [INDICATION NARROWED 2026-08-12, two readers — the only ehrlichiosis heading on that page is under HORSES, at 6.6-7 mg/kg IV once daily.] |
Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.
View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Species references:All African Clawed Frog drugsAll African Grey Parrot drugsAll African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Amazon Parrot drugsAll Axolotl drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Betta (Siamese fighting fish) drugsAll Blue-and-Gold Macaw drugsAll Blue-tongue Skink drugsAll Cattle (Beef/Dairy) drugsAll Chinchilla drugsAll Corn Snake drugsAll Crested Gecko drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Domestic Pigeon drugsAll Dwarf Hamster drugsAll Eastern Box Turtle drugs