Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole is dosed at 30 mg/kg PO, IM, IV q24h x 2-14 days in russian tortoises, per Gibbons PM, Klaphake E, Carpenter JW. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, ed. Exotic Animal Formulary. 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2013:83-182. — Verified against Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1404 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 | 2026-08-13 RE-ANCHOR: the supporting row is carpenter Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles), "Trimethoprim-sulfonamides | 30 mg/kg PO q24 x2-14 days87,243 | Most species/coccidia, although this […]", with the block header "avoid potentiated sulfa drugs in cases of dehydration or renal dysfunction331". The previously cited Table 4.1 does NOT support this rule: its only 30 mg/kg PO trimethoprim-sulphonamide row is scoped "Bearded dragon" at q12h x14 days, and its trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole row is "30 mg/kg IM q24h264 | Reticulated python". CORRECTION to this rule's own notes: mader printed p.1194 does NOT print "30 mg/kg, PO, IM, IV, q 24 h" - it prints "10-30 mg/kg PO q24h99 | Most species/maintain hydration" and, chelonian-specific, "30 mg/kg IM q24h x 2 days, then q48h311 | Tortoises/PD". No IV route, and the PO figure is a RANGE.. Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole is used in russian tortoises for Coccidiosis. Routes documented in russian tortoises: PO, IM, IV. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole in russian tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Bactrim, TMS
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, IM, IV | 30 mg/kg | q24h x 2-14 days | Coccidiosis | Weak | Gibbons PM, Klaphake E, Carpenter JW. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, ed. Exotic Animal Formulary. 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2013:83-182. — Verified against Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1404 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 | 2026-08-13 RE-ANCHOR: the supporting row is carpenter Table 4.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Reptiles), "Trimethoprim-sulfonamides | 30 mg/kg PO q24 x2-14 days87,243 | Most species/coccidia, although this […]", with the block header "avoid potentiated sulfa drugs in cases of dehydration or renal dysfunction331". The previously cited Table 4.1 does NOT support this rule: its only 30 mg/kg PO trimethoprim-sulphonamide row is scoped "Bearded dragon" at q12h x14 days, and its trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole row is "30 mg/kg IM q24h264 | Reticulated python". CORRECTION to this rule's own notes: mader printed p.1194 does NOT print "30 mg/kg, PO, IM, IV, q 24 h" - it prints "10-30 mg/kg PO q24h99 | Most species/maintain hydration" and, chelonian-specific, "30 mg/kg IM q24h x 2 days, then q48h311 | Tortoises/PD". No IV route, and the PO figure is a RANGE. |
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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.
Sequential blockade of folate synthesis: sulfamethoxazole inhibits dihydropteroate synthase; trimethoprim inhibits dihydrofolate reductase.
May cause keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in dogs with prolonged use. Can cause bone marrow suppression. Avoid in animals with hepatic disease. Adequate hydration required.
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.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: PO, IM, IV 30 mg/kg q24h x 2-14 days. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole in russian tortoises: PO, IM, IV.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole is indicated in russian tortoises for: Coccidiosis.
These are general warnings for Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole across species; consult the russian tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. May cause keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in dogs with prolonged use. Can cause bone marrow suppression. Avoid in animals with hepatic disease. Adequate hydration required.
Why a species-specific page? Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole 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.