Reptile · Tiliqua scincoides · typical adult weight 0.25–0.60 kg
Prednisolone is dosed at 2–5 mg/kg PO, IM q24-48h in blue-tongue skinks, per Lawton MP.C. Pain management after surgery. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 1999:782. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 — 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 — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): Same Carpenter Table 4.6 row; missing "Impaired wound healing and delayed recovery from infections may be seen." and "Do not use in pregnant animals. Systemic corticosteroids are generally contraindicated in patients […]" — BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed Part B, printed p.250. Prednisolone is used in blue-tongue skinks for Anti-inflammatory, Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Routes documented in blue-tongue skinks: PO, IM, PO, SC, IM. A typical adult blue-tongue skink weighs 0.25–0.60 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Prednisolone in blue-tongue skinks, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Delta-Cortef, Prelone
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, IM | 2–5 mg/kg | q24-48h | Anti-inflammatory | Weak | Lawton MP.C. Pain management after surgery. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 1999:782. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 — 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 — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): Same Carpenter Table 4.6 row; missing "Impaired wound healing and delayed recovery from infections may be seen." and "Do not use in pregnant animals. Systemic corticosteroids are generally contraindicated in patients […]" — BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed Part B, printed p.250 |
| PO, SC, IM | 0.5 mg/kg | q24h x 14 days, then q48h until PCV stable | Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia | Weak | 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 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 [w3r2 2026-08-14] LOCATOR: Carpenter 6th ed, Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles), Prednisolone block. Held copy is a paginationless ebook conversion, so the table and not the page is the citable location. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–5 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.265 | Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory: 2-5 mg/kg p.o. q24-48h |
| 0.5 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.8 | 0.5 mg/kg q24h PO, SC, IM × 14 days, then q48h until PCV stable |
| 5–10 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.8 | 5-10 mg/kg IM, IV, IO |
| 2–5 | PO |
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Binds intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, modulating gene transcription. Suppresses inflammatory and immune responses at multiple levels.
PU/PD, polyphagia, weight gain, iatrogenic Cushing's. Immunosuppression risk. GI ulceration (especially with NSAIDs). Do not abruptly discontinue after chronic use. Cats require prednisolone (not prednisone).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for blue-tongue skinks may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Prednisolone dose ranges in blue-tongue skinks, with cited source references: PO, IM 2–5 mg/kg q24-48h; PO, SC, IM 0.5 mg/kg q24h x 14 days, then q48h until PCV stable. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Prednisolone in blue-tongue skinks: PO, IM, PO, SC, IM.
Prednisolone is indicated in blue-tongue skinks for: Anti-inflammatory, Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.
These are general warnings for Prednisolone across species; consult the blue-tongue skink dosing table above for species-specific guidance. PU/PD, polyphagia, weight gain, iatrogenic Cushing's. Immunosuppression risk. GI ulceration (especially with NSAIDs). Do not abruptly discontinue after chronic use. Cats require prednisolone (not prednisone).
Why a species-specific page? Prednisolone pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in blue-tongue skinks — 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 |
| 2-5 mg/kg PO, IM q24-48h |
| 2–5 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.7 | 2-5 mg/kg PO, IM183 Most species/analgesia (chronic pain) |
| 0.5 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.7 | 0.5 mg/kg q24h × 14 days, then q48h until PCV stable149 Lizards/autoimmune hemolytic anemia |
| 5–10 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.7 | 5-10 mg/kg IM, IV,82 IO69 Most species/shock; brain swelling from hyperthermia; may help reduce nephrocalcinosis |
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.