Reptile · Trachemys scripta elegans · typical adult weight 0.20–2.20 kg
Tramadol is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q48-72h in red-eared sliders, per Baker BB, Sladky KK, Johnson SM. Evaluation of the analgesic effects of oral and subcutaneous tramadol administration in red-eared slider turtles. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011;238:220-227. doi:10.2460/javma.238.2.220 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 (2026-08-01). — 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. Tramadol is used in red-eared sliders for analgesia (thermal antinociception). Routes documented in red-eared sliders: PO, SC. A typical adult red-eared slider weighs 0.20–2.20 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Tramadol in red-eared sliders, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q48-72h | analgesia (thermal antinociception) |
| Baker BB, Sladky KK, Johnson SM. Evaluation of the analgesic effects of oral and subcutaneous tramadol administration in red-eared slider turtles. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011;238:220-227. doi:10.2460/javma.238.2.220 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 (2026-08-01). — 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 |
| SC | 5–10 mg/kg | not stated in the cited source | analgesia (thermal antinociception) | Weak | Baker BB, Sladky KK, Johnson SM. Evaluation of the analgesic effects of oral and subcutaneous tramadol administration in red-eared slider turtles. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011 Jan 15;238(2):220-227. PMID: 21235376; DOI: 10.2460/javma.238.2.220; PMCID: PMC3158493. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3158493/ |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–10 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.301 | 5-10 mg/kg i.m., p.o. q24-48h f |
| 5–10 | PO | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.6 | 5-10 mg/kg PO, SC q48-72h |
| 10 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.6 | 10 mg/kg IM q48- 72h |
| 5–10 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 | 5-10 mg/kg PO2245 Loggerhead sea turtles/PK; plasma concentrations consistent with efficacy for 48 hr (5 mg/kg PO) or 72 hr (10 mg/kg PO) |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Weak mu-opioid receptor agonist plus norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibition. Dual mechanism of analgesia.
Dogs metabolize to O-desmethyltramadol poorly compared to humans (reduced opioid effect). May cause sedation, dysphoria. Serotonin syndrome risk with concurrent SSRIs. Cats may respond better than dogs.
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.
Tramadol dose ranges in red-eared sliders, with cited source references: PO 5–10 mg/kg q48-72h; SC 5–10 mg/kg not stated in the cited source. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Tramadol in red-eared sliders: PO, SC.
Tramadol is indicated in red-eared sliders for: analgesia (thermal antinociception).
These are general warnings for Tramadol across species; consult the red-eared slider dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Dogs metabolize to O-desmethyltramadol poorly compared to humans (reduced opioid effect). May cause sedation, dysphoria. Serotonin syndrome risk with concurrent SSRIs. Cats may respond better than dogs.
Why a species-specific page? Tramadol 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.
| 10 |
| — |
| Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.6 |
| 10 mg/kg IM105 Yellow-bellied slider turtles/PK/PD comparing forelimb and hind limb administration; analgesia; plasma concentrations consistent with analgesia in both forelimb and |
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.