Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Prednisolone is dosed at 2–5 mg/kg PO, IM q24-48h in russian tortoises, per 269. 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; independently corroborated by "Reptiles: Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory: 2-5 mg/kg p.o. q24-48h" — BSAVA-B 10th ed, printed p.251 — which prints p.o. only; missing the same infectious-disease contraindication. Prednisolone is used in russian tortoises for Anti-inflammatory. Routes documented in russian tortoises: PO, IM. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Prednisolone in russian tortoises, 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 | 269. 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; independently corroborated by "Reptiles: Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory: 2-5 mg/kg p.o. q24-48h" — BSAVA-B 10th ed, printed p.251 — which prints p.o. only; missing the same infectious-disease contraindication |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| 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 |
| 2–5 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.6 | 2-5 mg/kg PO, IM q24-48h |
| 5–10 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.8 | 5-10 mg/kg IM, IV, IO |
| 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) |
| 5–10 |
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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 russian tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Prednisolone dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: PO, IM 2–5 mg/kg q24-48h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Prednisolone in russian tortoises: PO, IM.
Prednisolone is indicated in russian tortoises for: Anti-inflammatory.
These are general warnings for Prednisolone across species; consult the russian tortoise 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 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.
| 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.