ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/vitamin-a
Vitamin A
Drug Class
Routes
Indications
Mechanism of Action
Essential fat-soluble vitamin required for vision, epithelial integrity, immune function, and reproduction. Deficiency common in captive reptiles and turtles on inadequate diets.
Side effects & warnings
NARROW therapeutic index — hypervitaminosis A causes hepatotoxicity and skin sloughing. Do not overdose. Particularly important in chelonians and box turtles. Toxicity signs include skin peeling.
Species with Vitamin A dosing data (11 dose rules)
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs
Evidence levels across 11 dose rules
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Backed by 2 published sources
- · Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
- · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Sample dosing (2 of 11 cited rules)
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 7 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
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Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.
View PlansArticles mentioning Vitamin A
- Avian Articular Gout: Recognition and Allopurinol ManagementHow to spot articular gout in psittacines before it disables, and the evidence-base for allopurinol-based long-term management.
- Avian Aspergillosis: Voriconazole vs Itraconazole ProtocolsWhen to reach for voriconazole instead of itraconazole in psittacine aspergillosis — and why the choice matters more in African Greys.
- Bearded Dragon Respiratory Infections: Workup and TreatmentWhy a 'simple URTI' in a bearded dragon almost always has a husbandry root cause, and how to structure antibiotic therapy when it doesn't.
More Supplement drugs
Source citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.