Reptile · Terrapene carolina · typical adult weight 0.30–0.60 kg
Valacyclovir is dosed at 40 mg/kg PO q24h in eastern box turtles, per 4. Allender MC, Mitchell MA, Yarborough J, et al. Pharmocokinetics of a single oral dose of acyclovir and valacyclovir in North American box turtles (Terrapene sp.). J Vet Pharmacol Therap. 2012;36:205-208. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1404 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Valacyclovir is used in eastern box turtles for herpesvirus. Routes documented in eastern box turtles: PO. A typical adult eastern box turtle weighs 0.30–0.60 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Valacyclovir in eastern box turtles, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Valtrex
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 40 mg/kg | q24h | herpesvirus | Weak | 4. Allender MC, Mitchell MA, Yarborough J, et al. Pharmocokinetics of a single oral dose of acyclovir and valacyclovir in North American box turtles (Terrapene sp.). J Vet Pharmacol Therap. 2012;36:205-208. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1404 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your eastern box turtle's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Prodrug rapidly converted to acyclovir. Triphosphorylated form inhibits viral DNA polymerase and causes chain termination. Active against herpesviruses.
TOXIC TO CATS — causes acute hepatic necrosis and fatal bone marrow suppression. Dogs tolerate well. Ensure adequate hydration.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for eastern box turtles may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Valacyclovir dose range in eastern box turtles, with cited source references: PO 40 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Valacyclovir in eastern box turtles: PO.
Valacyclovir is indicated in eastern box turtles for: herpesvirus.
These are general warnings for Valacyclovir across species; consult the eastern box turtle dosing table above for species-specific guidance. TOXIC TO CATS — causes acute hepatic necrosis and fatal bone marrow suppression. Dogs tolerate well. Ensure adequate hydration.
Why a species-specific page? Valacyclovir pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in eastern box turtles — 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.