Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
Pethidine (Meperidine) is dosed at 20 mg/kg IM q12-24h in sulcata tortoises, per Wambugu SN, Towett PK, Kiama SG, Abelson KS and Kanui TI (2010) Effects of opioids in the formalin test in the Speke's hinged tortoise (Kinixy's spekii). Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 33(4), 347-351 — Source: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets, p.247 — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.247' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.233; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.233. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics — ISBN 9781118855829, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781118855829. Pethidine (Meperidine) is used in sulcata tortoises for Analgesia. Routes documented in sulcata tortoises: IM. A typical adult sulcata tortoise weighs 1.00–40.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Pethidine (Meperidine) in sulcata tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 20 mg/kg | q12-24h |
| Analgesia |
| Weak |
| Wambugu SN, Towett PK, Kiama SG, Abelson KS and Kanui TI (2010) Effects of opioids in the formalin test in the Speke's hinged tortoise (Kinixy's spekii). Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 33(4), 347-351 — Source: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets, p.247 — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.247' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.233; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.233. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics — ISBN 9781118855829, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781118855829 |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your sulcata tortoise's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Added 2026-08-04 by the book-verification programme. Drug identity independently confirmed as distinct from every existing formulary entry. Source opened: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets, p.246-247 (full monograph) — read in full. Class as printed in source: Mu-opioid receptor agonist (phenylpiperidine); short-acting analgesic with anticholinergic activity
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.
Pethidine (Meperidine) dose range in sulcata tortoises, with cited source references: IM 20 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Pethidine (Meperidine) in sulcata tortoises: IM.
Pethidine (Meperidine) is indicated in sulcata tortoises for: Analgesia.
These are general warnings for Pethidine (Meperidine) across species; consult the sulcata tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Added 2026-08-04 by the book-verification programme. Drug identity independently confirmed as distinct from every existing formulary entry. Source opened: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed, Part B: Exotic Pets, p.246-247 (full monograph) — read in full. Class as printed in source: Mu-opioid receptor agonist (phenylpiperidine); short-acting analgesic with anticholinergic activity
Why a species-specific page? Pethidine (Meperidine) 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.