Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Silymarin is dosed at 4–15 mg/kg PO q8-12h in russian tortoises, per 222. Jepson L. Turtles and tortoises. In: Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2009:358-411. | 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.274 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Silymarin is used in russian tortoises for Hepatoprotectant. Routes documented in russian tortoises: PO. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Silymarin in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Marin, Milk Thistle, Denamarin, Milk Thistle (Silymarin)
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 4–15 mg/kg | q8-12h | Hepatoprotectant | Weak | 222. Jepson L. Turtles and tortoises. In: Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2009:358-411. | 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.274 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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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.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoid from milk thistle. Stabilizes hepatocyte membranes, stimulates protein synthesis, and scavenges free radicals.
Generally safe. Often combined with SAMe (Denamarin). Evidence for hepatoprotection moderate. GI upset at high doses. May interact with P-glycoprotein substrates.
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.
Silymarin dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: PO 4–15 mg/kg q8-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Silymarin in russian tortoises: PO.
Silymarin is indicated in russian tortoises for: Hepatoprotectant.
These are general warnings for Silymarin across species; consult the russian tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Generally safe. Often combined with SAMe (Denamarin). Evidence for hepatoprotection moderate. GI upset at high doses. May interact with P-glycoprotein substrates.
Why a species-specific page? Silymarin 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.