Reptile · Trachemys scripta elegans · typical adult weight 0.20–2.20 kg
Propofol is dosed at 12–15 mg/kg IV not stated in source in red-eared sliders, per Divers SJ. The use of propofol in reptile anesthesia. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1996:57-59. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.249 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a). 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. Propofol is used in red-eared sliders for Anesthesia. Routes documented in red-eared sliders: IV. A typical adult red-eared slider weighs 0.20–2.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Propofol in red-eared sliders, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Rapinovet, PropoFlo
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 12–15 mg/kg | not stated in source | Anesthesia | Weak | Divers SJ. The use of propofol in reptile anesthesia. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1996:57-59. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.249 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a). 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 |
| IV | 10 mg/kg | once (induction) | Anesthesia | Moderate | Ziolo M, Bertelsen M. Effects of propofol administered via the supravertebral sinus in red-eared sliders. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009;234:390-393. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.249 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by independent literature: Comparison of Two Intravenous Propofol Doses after Jugular Administration for Short Non-Surgical Procedures in Red-Eared Sliders ( Trachemys scripta elegans ). (Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2024). doi:10.3390/ani14131847. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14131847. The paper reports this drug at this dose in this species: "erent doses of propofol administered intravenously (IV), in the jugular vein, to red-eared sliders […]". This is a second source alongside the book already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct. ROUTE DIFFERS: this rule is IV (SUPRAVERTEBRAL S but the sentence quoted describes IV. The dose figure is corroborated; the route is not. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10–20 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.269 | 10-20 mg/kg i.v. (higher doses required for successful intubation) c |
| 5–10 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.269 | 5-10 mg/kg i.v., intraosseous |
| 5 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 5 mg/kg IV |
| 10 | IV |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your red-eared slider's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Enhances GABA-A receptor activity, producing rapid-onset, ultra-short-acting general anesthesia. Also has some NMDA receptor antagonism.
Respiratory depression/apnea — have intubation equipment ready. No analgesic properties. Hypotension. Repeated use in cats may cause Heinz body formation. Strict aseptic handling (lipid emulsion supports bacterial growth).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for red-eared sliders may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Propofol dose ranges in red-eared sliders, with cited source references: IV 12–15 mg/kg not stated in source; IV 10 mg/kg once (induction). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Propofol in red-eared sliders: IV.
Propofol is indicated in red-eared sliders for: Anesthesia.
These are general warnings for Propofol across species; consult the red-eared slider dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Respiratory depression/apnea — have intubation equipment ready. No analgesic properties. Hypotension. Repeated use in cats may cause Heinz body formation. Strict aseptic handling (lipid emulsion supports bacterial growth).
Why a species-specific page? Propofol pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in red-eared sliders — 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 4.5 |
| 10 mg/kg IV (supravertebral sinus)502 |
| 12–15 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 12-15 mg/kg IV,446 |
| 20 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 20 mg/kg IV (supravertebral sinus)502 |
| 10–15 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 10-15 mg/kg IV |
| 0.5–1 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 0.3-0.5 mg/kg/min IV, IO constant rate infusion, or 0.5-1 mg/kg IV, IO periodic bolus |
| 0.3–0.5 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 0.3-0.5 mg/kg/min IV, IO constant rate infusion, or 0.5-1 mg/kg IV, IO periodic bolus |
| 3–5 | IV | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.5 | 3-5 mg/kg IV supravertebral sinus |
| 60–100 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.4 | 60-100 mg/kg ICe52 Euthanasia |
| 0.3–0.5 | IV | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | 0.3-0.5 mg/kg/min IV, IO constant rate infusion, or 0.5-1 mg/kg IV, IO periodic bolus298 Most species/maintenance anesthesia; must provide respiratory and thermal support |
| 0.5–1 | IV | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | 0.3-0.5 mg/kg/min IV, IO constant rate infusion, or 0.5-1 mg/kg IV, IO periodic bolus298 Most species/maintenance anesthesia; must provide respiratory and thermal support |
| 3–5 | IV | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | 3-5 mg/kg IV supravertebral sinus81 Chelonians/sedation (i.e., shell repair) |
| 5 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | 5 mg/kg IV106 Snapping turtles/anesthetic induction |
| 10 | IV | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | 10 mg/kg IV (supravertebral sinus)350 Red-eared sliders/40-85 min anesthesia |
| 12–15 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | 12-15 mg/kg IV68,318 Chelonians/lower dosages (5-10 mg/kg IV295) may be used; 1 mg/kg/min may be given for maintenance295 |
| 20 | IV | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | 20 mg/kg IV (supravertebral sinus)350 Red-eared sliders/60-120 min anesthesia |
| 10–15 | IM | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.5 | 10-15 mg/kg IV187 Crocodilians/duration, 0.5-1.5 hr; maintain on gas anesthetics; experimental IM with hyaluronidase |
| 35 | — | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.4 | 35 mg/kg ICe32 Deep anesthesia in 83% of tiger salamanders32 |
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.