Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Oxytocin is dosed at 1–10 U/kg IM q90min, max 3 doses, increasing dose 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. | 243. Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.261 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.29 (Treatment of Dystocia in Reptiles.a,25,48,102,122,343,457). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — 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 — CORRECTION (wave 3, two readers): the served figure and regimen are printed in Carpenter's Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles), NOT in Table 4.29. Table 4.29 (Treatment of Dystocia in Reptiles) itself redirects to Table 4.8, and for chelonians it prints 1-20 U/kg IM, IV, ICe repeated q1h — a different ceiling and a different interval from what this rule serves.. Oxytocin is used in russian tortoises for Dystocia. Routes documented in russian tortoises: IM. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Oxytocin in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Pitocin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 1–10 U/kg | q90min, max 3 doses, increasing dose | Dystocia | 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. | 243. Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.261 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.29 (Treatment of Dystocia in Reptiles.a,25,48,102,122,343,457). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — 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 — CORRECTION (wave 3, two readers): the served figure and regimen are printed in Carpenter's Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles), NOT in Table 4.29. Table 4.29 (Treatment of Dystocia in Reptiles) itself redirects to Table 4.8, and for chelonians it prints 1-20 U/kg IM, IV, ICe repeated q1h — a different ceiling and a different interval from what this rule serves. |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (%) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | IO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.8 | - 1-10 U/kg IM,243 2 U/kg IM q4-6h ×1-3 treatments 1-5 U/kg IM, repeat in 1 hr 1-2,47 2-20,311 or 10- 2063 U/kg IM 1-20 U/kg IM Ch q90min ×3 treatments at increased doses, or 50%-100% first dose 1-12 |
| 100 | IO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.8 | - 1-10 U/kg IM,243 2 U/kg IM q4-6h ×1-3 treatments 1-5 U/kg IM, repeat in 1 hr 1-2,47 2-20,311 or 10- 2063 U/kg IM 1-20 U/kg IM Ch q90min ×3 treatments at increased doses, or 50%-100% first dose 1-12 |
| 50 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.7 | 1-20 U/kg IM q90min × 3 treatments at increased doses, or 50%-100% first dose 1-12 hr later, or IO drip324 Chelonians |
| 100 | IM |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Stimulates uterine smooth muscle contraction and mammary myoepithelial cell contraction promoting milk letdown. Acts via oxytocin receptors.
Used for dystocia and milk letdown. DO NOT USE if obstructive dystocia (uterine rupture risk). Cervix must be dilated. Repeat doses with diminishing returns.
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.
Oxytocin dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: IM 1–10 U/kg q90min, max 3 doses, increasing dose. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Oxytocin in russian tortoises: IM.
Oxytocin is indicated in russian tortoises for: Dystocia.
These are general warnings for Oxytocin across species; consult the russian tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Used for dystocia and milk letdown. DO NOT USE if obstructive dystocia (uterine rupture risk). Cervix must be dilated. Repeat doses with diminishing returns.
Why a species-specific page? Oxytocin 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.
| 1-20 U/kg IM q90min × 3 treatments at increased doses, or 50%-100% first dose 1-12 hr later, or IO drip324 Chelonians |
| Dose (iu/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–10 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.7 | 1-10 U/kg IM78,99 Most species/higher end of the range is commonly used; may be repeated up to 3 treatments at 90 min intervals with increasing dosage |
| 2 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.7 | 2 U/kg IM q4-6h × 1-3 treatments10 Most species |
| 10–2034 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.7 | 1-2,35 2-20,217 or 10-2034 U/kg IM Chelonians |
| 1–20 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.7 | 1-20 U/kg IM q90min × 3 treatments at increased doses, or 50%-100% first dose 1-12 hr later, or IO drip324 Chelonians |
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.