Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
Tiletamine-Zolazepam is dosed at 3.5–14 mg/kg IM once in sulcata tortoises, per Millichamp NJ. Surgical techniques in reptiles. In: Jacobson ER, Kollias GV Jr., eds. Exotic Animals; Churchill Livingstone, New York, NY; 1988:49-74. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.250 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Tiletamine-Zolazepam is used in sulcata tortoises for Sedation. Routes documented in sulcata tortoises: IM. A typical adult sulcata tortoise weighs 1.00–40.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Tiletamine-Zolazepam in sulcata tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Telazol
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 3.5–14 mg/kg | once | Sedation | Weak | Millichamp NJ. Surgical techniques in reptiles. In: Jacobson ER, Kollias GV Jr., eds. Exotic Animals; Churchill Livingstone, New York, NY; 1988:49-74. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.250 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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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.
Tiletamine is a dissociative NMDA antagonist providing anesthesia; zolazepam is a benzodiazepine providing muscle relaxation and reducing emergence reactions.
Controlled substance (CIII). Prolonged recovery in cats (zolazepam component). Causes pain at IM injection site. Cannot titrate once given IM. Avoid in renal/hepatic disease.
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.
Tiletamine-Zolazepam dose range in sulcata tortoises, with cited source references: IM 3.5–14 mg/kg once. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Tiletamine-Zolazepam in sulcata tortoises: IM.
Tiletamine-Zolazepam is indicated in sulcata tortoises for: Sedation.
These are general warnings for Tiletamine-Zolazepam across species; consult the sulcata tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Controlled substance (CIII). Prolonged recovery in cats (zolazepam component). Causes pain at IM injection site. Cannot titrate once given IM. Avoid in renal/hepatic disease.
Why a species-specific page? Tiletamine-Zolazepam 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.